Blooming Heck (or- the winter that never ends)
I had delayed writing anything in the last week, being of the view that doing nothing was better than doing something for the sake of doing something, and having that something be bad, or boring, or horrendously, both.
I guess this might be both boring and bad. But it's better than it was 2 days ago.
See, nothing much has been happening... Not to disparage visits FROM Westcoasters, or TO Spas, meals of duck confit, and rides on swings, they got me through somewhat sane.
Montreal, for me at least, has entered the "grey zone".
No longer sparkling and shiny in the winter sub-zero sunshine, and not in the least bit warm. A little "west-coast-esque" to be honest... grey and rainy, although freezing rain and sloppy snow are more the norm than drenching downpours.
As goes the city, so goes the donut-poker.
Grey zone.
Zero inclination to do anything much more than recline on the couch, eat chocolate, and watch Downtown Abbey re-runs.
Then the city decided enough was enough. It was April dab-nammit. Time to get the BIXI bikes on the road. Sure it was early. Sure it was tempting the fates, but the fates had proven to be no friend of Montreal during this seasonal transition anyway, so we might as well pedal on and pretend we were in Spring.
So out they went April 10th, 5 days early.
Bolting down racks, Sliding in bikes.
As goes the city, so goes the donut-poker.
Thoroughly inspired by the sight of so many bikes just waiting for me, I bit the bullet and ordered my BIXI dongley-thing. $57 for 3 months. Unlimited 45 min rentals. Seemed by far the best deal. (*take note Vancouver - an annual pass - which here means April to November but still - is only $91. I honestly think I might not own a bike if I lived here!) You can also "pay as you go" for the same price as a bus ride. You can actually USE your OPUS transit card to pay. It's considered PART of the transit system. Not just a hippy add-on.
Dongle-thingy was delivered to me within 3 business days.
And today, despite the big grey cloud hovering overhead, I did it.
I popped my BIXI cherry.
But first I had to get a helmet. No, they aren't law in Quebec. But given I bashed my head THREE TIMES last week (another long, boring, grey story) and that twice in my life my poor small head has hit the pavement from the height of a bike, without one I would not be typing now (I might be drooling if alive at all).
I consider it an essential fashion accessory.
First stop-
Canadian Tire.
It will surprise no-one who has seen my head (especially juxtaposed with my beloved's) that the best fit was a YOUTH size for 8 yrs and up.
Bonus, it was $10 cheaper than the same adult version and came in snazzy green rather than boring black, and matches my water bottle and backpack !!
Headgear acquired, my BIXI App advised me that there was a BIXI station 200 m from the Canadian Tire. They are literally EVERYWHERE. You would be hard-pressed in our area to go more then 400m without falling over a station.
I will kill all suspense and advise that it's a damn good thing Montreal is so flat... these 3 geared beasts would not fare so well on the hills of East Vancouver, but I did manage to get to Jean Talon market and back in record time, mostly on separated bike lanes.
Oh and yes, it did start snowing again while I was out there.
Que sera sera!
I had promised a new street "review" every week.
This week's street has a name that at least inspires the confidence that the warm rays of the sun will one day again grace us with vitamin D.
Ave Bloomfield is in the neighbouring suburb of Outremont. I managed to find a day when it was a little sun-shiny!!
It starts in an industrial wasteland that encompasses the rail yards at the north end, where it intersects with Van Horne, and it finishes in vastly more salubrious climes by the base of Mont Royal. Here Laurier extends across it east-west, a wide boulevard full of clothiers and a Van Houtte coffee store from the 1950's. #fancyschmancy
At the north end, though barely three blocks from the thoroughfares of Ave du Parc and Bernard and the hustle bustle of Mile End, the atmosphere and outlook is decidedly different in Outremont.
The area is far more conservative. I wonder if in this is in no small part due to the vast number of Hasidic Jews that live in the neighbourhood.
One of the first things you recognize is the complete lack of the murals I love so much in the rest of Montreal!
Great blank walls everywhere.
The architecture of the walk ups is also very different west of Parc. The wide balconies and short squat stairs are more reminiscent of New Orleans than the typical traditionally treacherous curly outdoor staircases Montreal is known for.
The further south you proceed, the more grand the houses become.
Many have stained glass windows in both the windows and the doors.
There are a few art deco excursions, as well as the odd dome!
As you go south and cross St Viateur, the national historic site of the Outremont Theatre is on the right.
Built in 1925, it has operated as both a movie and concert theatre over the years.
No street is perfect. There was at least one architectural "fail" I could see:
Stone and tile AND brick. Let's whack it all in! It's like a Vancouver Special with Quebecois flair. #epicfail
Thank goodness it seemed to be a one off.
Perhaps the most impressive is a house designed by famed architect Aristide Beaugrand-Champagne, who also designed the Mont Royal Chalet.
Its sharp steeple and pure white visage is completely unlike anything else on the street, and makes it stand out from all the other grand maisons.
Good news, this 5 bedroom 3 bathroom beauty is on the market for a mere $2,695,000 !! So if you have $21,000 a year for the property taxes, and $8,000 a year to heat / power it.. I'll be more than happy to house sit for you!
Once past the Outremont Park, the street comes to a somewhat abrupt end at the base of the mountain. Overshadowing an impressive church, Saint-Viateur-d'Outremont is an apartment block as ugly as the rest of the street is grand.
So that's Bloomfield. Pretty blooming nice. If less than "Montreal-ly"
And hopefully that's an end to winter.
Next week they are promising 18'C. I can't even imagine.
No really, like I CAN'T.
I am hoping for more BIXI adventures, less bangs to the head, and no requirement for puffy jackets.
Oh also that Lynda will have finished her 3 papers that are due and can come play with me outside, or perhaps just sit on a "terrace" soaking in the sun with the rest of Montreal.
Voici en espérant!