We join a francophone tour of the Parliament Buildings as the 1st available anglo tour is four hours off. Elaine sees suite of offices used by Sen. Ray Perrault, for whom Rick worked as chief of staff 20 years ago when he was in Trudeau's last cabinet (my how time flies when you are having fun).

The Hill is crowded before Canada Day. Chantal and Roc are testing the sound systems for the big show.

After dropping off a thank you gift to our hosts, we light out for Montreal and Magog. But first a coffee break at Pauline's in Chute-a-Blundeau and a look at Provinciale Road, in Point Fortune, which divides the town into Ontario and Quebec halves. Imagine long distance phone calls across the street!

Traffic is relatively light heading into Montreal but grinds to a halt approaching Pont Champlain to cross the St. Lawrence River. All other crossings are clear but ours, due to a broken down transport truck.

Clear of the bridge we move in quick traffic towards Magog on hwy. 10 to be greeted by a spectacular thunder storm with forked lightning and heavy rain. Many cars pull off the road to wait out the storm. We soldier on and soon see the hills among which is Mt. Orford (3,800 feet).

Alas, alack and gosh darn...on the last, long, uphill pull we seem to have shed a piece of an exhaust valve after more than 5,000 kms. of trouble free motoring. Will complete diagnosis and remedy among friends!

We are into hotel at 7:45 p.m., register for the meet and enjoy a late supper.

POOH has logged 5,188 kilometres from Pitt Meadows, including a few local kms. enroute to Quebec.

Cheers!
RICK (and Elaine of course!)