Tea

Snow, sleet, freezing rain, rain, snow, sleet.... temps at freezing

Not the nicest day to drive in to Montreal, but not really too bad. Had breakfast in Cowansville, then Michael and I hit the autoroute and arrived in Montreal just before noon. As you can tell, it's a raw day. Damp and dreary. But I had a real treat to look forward to - afternoon tea!

I thought it was wonderful and very thoughtful of the women at the french Quebec publishers - Flammarion Quebec - to decide to take Lise and me out for high tea. Very english! It's become a tradition. last year we went to a Montreal institution, Birks, for tea. But it was all booked up today - so Louise Loiselle, the publisher, found this other place - Maitre Chocolatier on Sherbrooke St - that serves very english high tea.

You can see the photo. Down the right side, from front to back (the window) are: Louise Loiselle, then Lise (My Assistant - as she is now legally known), then Louise Chabalier (one of the translators) then Marie-Claude, who works at Flammarion. Down the other side, from front to back, are Claire Chabalier (one of the translators - they're sisters), and Anne Saskia, who also works at Flammarion.

We had such fun. They are a terrific group. We laughed, and heard all about Louise and Claire winning the Governor General's award for translation - very moving story. The entire afternoon flew by in a cloud of conversation and thinly sliced cucumber. Lise had brought Hovey manor granola as Christmas gifts for everyone.

Then Lise and I walked back through the Christmas lights of Montreal - so pretty - and down to Ogilvey's, to look at their famous Christmas window. Then I walked her back to her hotel, where her husband Del was waiting, and hopped a cab home. dinner and an early night for Michael and me. off to Ottawa tomorrow to hear our friend Trevor conduct the Messiah at the National Arts Centre. A rare treat.

Speak to you soon - hope you're thriving!!