L`Ile d' Orleans

We motored past Quebec City in the centre of the river channel. I have seen and even stayed in the Chateau Frontenac Hotel and accessed it by land. The view of it's majestic command from land however, is certainly surpassed by its breathtaking presence from the water.  I took lots of pictures knowing that I wanted to add them to this blog and was shocked to find that my amazing sense of electonic capability (which I have mentioned before to you) had once again let me down. Somehow I have deleted over 60 pictures on the camera (no - I don't know how - you are starting to think like the Captain) - some of which are those of the hotel, so you will just have to take my word that the view is stunning.

It was about 2.30 in the afternoon as we were easing away from the centre of the city when we noticed that the engine was starting to expel heavily from the exhaust. Keith went below to check out the engine room and found that oil was spraying onto the walls. He suspected that there was some damage to the oil filter but there was no possibility to stop to repair the problem. We were located in the centre of a shipping lane in a major busy city port, with the harbour businesses located on either side of us. excessive currents surrounding us and no where to go but forward.   So we  exited into the southern channel of the river and limped into Baie St. Paul Yatch Club  on I'le d'Orleans at 4.45pm.  Even in her weakened state our little boat forged ahead with success when the Captain asked her to give us a little more to quickly navigate the heavy tidal eddies, the huge swell and the current of the narrow rocky entrance to the harbour.

We knew we needed the opinion and help of a marine mechanic and were told that one would be arriving there the following day. We tied up along the government wharf and borrowed bicycles to ride into the lovely little town of to see what was going on there. We purchased some fresh friut and vegetables, french bread, cheese and wine. (We have been enjoying far too much fresh french bread and cheese but we cannot seem to resist.)  I visited a graveyard to survey plot markers and gravestones of early french island inhabitants while Keith worked on the boat to clean the mess of oil spray in her engine room.  I continued on the bike to explore the area. It is a beautiful little island hamlet overlooking the water dotted with typical french homes nestled neatly out to the edge of narrow roadways. People here have lovely quaint dwellings with gorgeous flowers at each home, indicative of the pride they have in their properties and community.