Ruth and John's Travels: Montreal June 2013. Formula 1 GP and 'The Stones, man!'

Montreal June 2013. Formula 1 GP and 'The Stones, man!'

Breaking down through the cloud cover, our first view of Montreal.
The buildings of downtown and the green of Mount Royal center right.

Do people still climb steps on their knees on pilgrimage?
Heck. Do people still go on pilgrimage at all?

The interior of St. Joseph's Oratory.
Big, imposing and impressive, but to our minds, not really reverence or awe inspiring.

A building this big needs constant maintenance.

Discarded canes and crutches.
When was the most recent addition made?

Ruth at the grave of Maurice 'Rocket' Richard

John walking by the mausoleum of the Molson family

John at the grave of one of his (few) heroes, David Thompson, and his wife, Charlotte Small.
The pillar was topped with a sextant, but after vandalism and several thefts it was removed.


Two graves important to the History of Western Canada. In the foreground, the headstone of Sir George Simpson, governor of the HBC, one of the most-travelled people of the 19th century, and 'emperor' of one of the largest empires ever. The pink obelisk left is the marker of John Rowand, factor of the HBC in Western Canada. Here is the (grisly) story of how his remains got here.

Not a hero. Not a grave. Had little regard for Western Canada.
The Ernest Cormier designed house of Pierre Trudeau, still owned by the family.

John at the Belvedere Camillien Houde on the north east side of Mount Royal,
with the Olympic stadium in the distance.
Raccoons have set up shop there, and although it's forbidden, people continue to feed them.

A tree lined street in Cote-des-Neiges

The façade of an insurance company on St. James Street,
once the financial center of Canada.

Need your Graflex Speed Graphic fixed?
Put the "PRESS" card in the band of your Fedora and take it here.

Ruth having lunch on Place Jacques Cartier

Areas of Montreal were being transformed into '70s Paris
for the filming of the latest X-Men movie.
Here a sleek and eye-catching Citroen SM is being used as a prop

Another film prop, an original Fiat CinqueCento.
Do you think I'd fit in there, sweetie?

The Hotel de Ville at night.
From the balcony at center, the pompous git Charles de Gaulle gave his
famous "Vive le Quebec libre!!" speech in 1967.

John on line at Schwartz's Charcuterie Hebraique,
anticipating his Monreal-smoked meat sandwich with frites.

John and a spiffy Ruth (with her new shawl bought on 'the Main')
getting on the boat for a dinner cruise on the St. Lawrence.

More 'props' for the X-Men movie.
Extras dressed in period 'costume'.

On a rainy Thursday we drove to Ottawa and the Parliament Buildings.
The Center Block is where both Commons and Senate sit.
This foyer sits between them. The alcove center left is used
for TV interviews, using the flags as a backdrop.

The round Library of Parliament as seen from the Peace Tower, with
Gatineau (ex-Hull) across the Ottawa River.

Ruth in the observation deck of the Peace Tower.

Ruth and the Centennial Flame in front of the Center Block and Peace Tower.

"Justice", by Walter Allward in front of the Cormier-designed Supreme Court Building in Ottawa.

We went to 24 Sussex to visit my good buddy,
but were given the bum's rush by some guy in a uniform.
"Just wait 'til ol' Steverino hears about this!!"

Most folks attending the race wear some kind of hat or t-shirt announcing 'their' team.
Guess which team this guy is cheering for.

Ruth: "There's a guy over there in a red hat with a captivated audience."
John: "Holy crap!! That's Niki Lauda!!!"
A movie has been made about him and James Hunt

The interior of Notre-Dame basilica.
Entry requires buying a ticket to "And Then There was Light"

Place d'Armes with the basilica.

Ruth on the bridge between Iles Notre-Dame and Ste.Helene.
The Buckminster Fuller designed ex US pavilion behind.

The view to downtown from 'our' grandstand.
A stiff breeze, which was a chill during qualifying Saturday,
was a welcome cooler during the race on Sunday.

John and Ruth before the race.
The hat was bought at Monza in 2003.

Before the race, to put faces to names and helmets, there is a 'Drivers Parade'
Here is Kimi Raikkonen, 2007 champion with Ferrari, now driving for Lotus,
to drive again for Ferrari in 2014.

Fernando Alonso, 2005 champion, to my mind the best driver of the last several years.

Sebastian Vettel, 2010, '11, '12 and '13 champion.
An excellent driver with an excellent car to drive.

Vettel entering the second of the 'Senna' curves.

Our underdog of the day, Valtteri Bottas qualified 3rd in the Saturday rain,
driving for the once unbeatable Williams team.

Alonso chasing, but not able to pass, Vettel.
Full results of the race here.

On the track for the looong walk back
to the exit at the end of the race

John's feet giving some scale to the curbs on the race track.

The happy but tired spectators funneling into the Metro station 'Jean Drapeau' at the end of the race.
Appearances notwithstanding, the wait was not very long.

After a quick visit to the hotel to change from racing gear to tongue t-shirts,
it was off to the 'Centre Bell Centre' for The Stones.
Celebrating "50 and Counting" years of touring.