Bixis

Bixis, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

This shot is for my virtual friends who were asking about the line of bicycles on The Molson Bank post.  Montreal has a system of bicycle sharing: the Bixis.  You can be a member for a fixed price each year, and then the first 45 minutes of each rental is free, or you can pay on a per use basis. As the bicycles are really meant for commuting, not touring, each subsequent hour becomes more expensive. You pick up a bike at one stand and deliver it to one near your destination. My son uses these often. There is an app available on which you can find out about the availability of bikes at specific stations as well as if there is room to park your bike.

These bixi bikes can now be found in other cities, including London and New York.



This picture was taken in 2011 when I was in London. The docking station, bicycles and payment methods were developed here in Montreal.

Montreal Baroque Festival

Harpsichord, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I spent the long weekend (here in Quebec June 24 is La Fête Nationale) at the Festival Montréal Baroque, now in its eleventh year. This is a special music festival with a different theme each year. This year's theme was New Worlds with concerts of South American baroque music, music representing the creation of the earth, complete with baroque dancers and circus performers, concerts by large groups and intimate concerts. Each year there is an incredible degree of creativity vis-a-vis the venue and the concerts themselves.



This year the festival also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Société de la Flûte à Bec de Montréal. Each of the groups had an opportunity to play before the main concerts. In addition there was a marathon of the 143 pieces by van Eyck, a Dutch recorder player of the 17th century. He was blind and would play the popular melodies of his day and then improvise variations. These have been written down. I participated in the marathon, playing 2 pieces.



Some evenings go on long after the concert, with young  (and sometimes older) musicians sight-reading through music in the festival cafe. There is camaraderie between the professionals and the pre-professionals as well as with festival goers like me. We all feel part of the festival.

Here are some posts from previous festivals

2009 Susie,
2010 Flûte Alors!  Starting the Parade
2011 Festival Montréal Baroque
2012 Natural Trumpets, Horse Ballet

Horse to Horse

Horse to Horse, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Across from the Théâtre-St-James is this sculpture by Botero, The Volumptuous Man. I saw a caleche approaching and waited for an opportune moment to catch the horses communicating. Art meets real life.

Cheese

Cheese, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

My spouse is passionate about cheese, particularly goat and sheep cheese. They know me at La Fromagerie Atwater, in the Atwater Market. I always head straight to the corner where most of these cheeses reside. I have learned that a bit of mould on cheese is fine as it is "noble mould". And this often means the cheese is really ripe and more pungent tasting which is definitely to P's taste. I have brought home many varieties for P to try, both local and from afar.

The clerk told me he had France. "You mean cheeses from France," I suggested. And then he showed me France, a goat cheese. Despite the price, I couldn't resist buying it.

Brittany and Normandy have now disappeared, as has the Loire. Burgundy and Champagne are still ripening. It's hard to tell how much longer France will last, but I can assure you it is doomed.

Molson Bank

Molson Bank, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

It's that time of year again! The Baroque Festival started in Old Montreal. I always take the time to enjoy the architecture of the area. This was once the Molson Bank (yes the same family as the brewery). It eventually merged with the Bank of Montreal. The building is no longer a bank.



This year's festival is being held at Théatre St-James, closer to the Square Victoria exit. Exiting the station you see the old metro signs which were sent from Paris. The square is a lovely oasis with fountains and many benches shaded by a variety of trees.



A young Queen Victoria presides over the square (actually a long rectangle). Lots of music for this weekend.

Cooking

meal, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Nothing like a good stir fry! Too often our meals are heavy on protein and light on vegetables. A stir fry reverses that - chock full of colourful vegetables. No need to add a salad, it's all cooked in one dish. I like the crunch of the perfectly cooked broccoli. No soggy vegetables for me. We added some scallops for a perfect meal.

Turulu

Untitled, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

 Photo: June 16, 2013

I know I've said it before, but shopping at the market wins hands down over shopping in the supermarket. These musicians were busking, playing and singing delightful Québecois songs. Their music permeated the surroundings as I went about from stall to stall.

In the market, I am greeted with smiles as a returning customer. In addition to the open air stalls there are permanent stores. It is so much nicer to see the same clerks who begin to know your preferences and help out. The one caveat - I often buy too much as the sights and smells lure me into dreams of culinary delights.