28 August 2019

from La Gaspésie to the Isle of Arran

28 August 2019

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Wednesday 28 August 2019--It's a rainy day, and I have no qualms about sleeping in on the first day of my trip. Get up late in the morning and have breakfast, bagel with cream cheese and orange juice, bought at an IGA on the way here yesterday. Then settle in with a pot of coffee and some reading. At about 2:00, I decide it would be worthwhile to visit cidréries in Rougemont.

Domaine Cartier-Potelle, a couple miles northwest of the village center, has orchards and vineyards. There's a small but modern building with a stylish reception area and bar downstairs, and a lounge/gallery upstairs. I enjoy a glass of sparkling cider while looking out over the orchard.

Domaine de Lavoie, closer in, has larger buildings with handsome metal roofs, but the reception area is rather stark. In addition to wine and apple cider, they advertise pear products, but the poire de glace I'm interested in is unavailable.

La Cidrerie du Village, in the village, seems a more old-fashioned affair. Their plant is on one side of the main street; the reception and shop, which looks like it was originally a produce stand, is across. Their sparkling cider has a peculiar pungent note that takes me a while to place--it reminds me of the dry sherry that me dear old mum was so fond of. Can't say I'm crazy about it.

I purchase sparkling cider and cidre de glace--ice cider--at all three places. I'd say I liked them in exactly the order visited.

Back in Chambly, I take an hour's nap--rough day!--and then go out in search of dinner. There are four or five nice-looking restaurants along the main drag, but they all seem rather pricey for what they are. The microbrasseries have only snacks and amuses-bouches. I settle for a panini at Bedondaine & Bedons Ronds. I'll have to think of something else for tomorrow.

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From Chambly to Rougemont