Day 43 – Berthier-sur-mer, Quebec (Thursday, June 18, 2015)
I took advantage of the continental breakfast at the motel (Motel Marquis) where I was served home made swiss bread. I struggled to communicate with the proprietor and his wife. It turned out that they were from a french area of Switzerland, were taught German as the second language, and had no impetus to learn English fluently. I spite of that they were very friendly and hospitable. They looked after their motel with care and attention and as a result their quality ratings were quite high.
The hosts also pointed out that route I was taking along highway 138 was Chemin de Roy. The road was commissioned by the king of France in 1707 making it one of the oldest roads in Canada. Apparently, as I found out, it took a carriage six days to travel from Montreal to Quebec. With fast horses you could do the trip in two days (or a bicycle.)
It was a good road with nice wide shoulders, relatively light traffic, historic town names, and occasional striking glimpses of the St Lawrence River.
The breakfast lasted me ’til lunch were I stopped in Batiscan for a tuna sub.
After lunch a nice tail wind had picked up and I made good time to Quebec City. Although I enjoy Quebec, visiting the Plains of Abraham, and the old city this time there was no one to enjoy it with. Instead since the day was sunny and the wind westerly I resolved to take advantage, cross over on the ferry to Levy and cover as much distance as I could before supper.
Around 5pm I could feel my strength diminish so I stopped at a good little motel on the St Lawrence River with a decent restaurant within walking distance.
Perhaps I have been fortunate but the motels that I stayed at in Quebec have been excellent. The care and attention by the proprietors is similar to what I have come to expect in bed and breakfasts. The hosts are attentive and friendly, they are generally less expensive, they don’t have any frills like antique furniture, artwork, and quaint ornaments (which are lost on me), and are more private. I highly recommend the three motels; Motel Capri in Repentigny, Motel Marquis in Trois Rivieres, and now at Motel Beausejour in Berthier-sur-mer.
