The captain comes clean

At the captain’s farewell party, he admitted that an anchor had indeed been lost. Part of the fastening was damaged in the storm, so that on leaving Qaqartoq, the rope was pulled up – no anchor attached to the end. So the officer lied, probably under orders.

Immediately after docking at Quebec, there was much toing and froing with vans and cranes as a replacement anchor was fitted.

Quebec is a beautiful city – open and clean with many impressive buildings as well as small interesting streets. TSH and Diva decided they could live there but have decided not to. The blue sky and pleasant temperature definitely helped. It was the first port where there was no tender, no shuttle bus and no need for raincoats or vests.

In the afternoon, TSH had his first ‘beer on deck’ of this voyage.

Montreal was equally attractive – fewer grand buildings than Quebec but a very impressive cathedral. Most time was spent in Old Montreal, which has cobbled streets with a lot of artists’ studios and a large square with market stalls and street performers. The continuing warm sunny weather and blue sky helped.

The day in Montreal  was strange. Early morning was full of people getting off the ship, saying their goodbyes and checking their arrangements for onward travel. The afternoon brought a new crop of guests, still in their travel clothes, with large travel bags and still-anxious faces. TSH and Diva were among the 30 or so guests staying on from one voyage to the next.