Week in Montreal, April 2013

I had a packed week in Montréal (the trees already in leaf) 

going for the launch of my first French title, 

published by Québec Amerique --  Le Deserteur – 

now on sale.

Of course, I had lunch with its very brilliant, talented,

 and tough editor, Myriam Caron-Belzile.

I brought up from the Gaspé a cartoon of fresh lobsters, and we 

enjoyed a feast at the house of my friend Nina Safdie, whom I consider 

almost my sister. Glenn Bydwell, the distinguished

 designer and architect, was awaiting his share.

Beverly Mitchell, once a columnist for the Montréal Star and Gazette, 

her husband, my long-time accountant Bernie Leebosh, and 

Jennifer Bydwell, a film executive, were all there to celebrate.

I had my annual lunch with the editor and publisher of 

Art Global, who published one of my books, and one of Joan's.

Andrea Hazlewood at theSecond Cup on Greene Avenue 

agreed to help me sell some copies when I go to Montréal in three 

weeks for a set of book launches.  I met her when
she had written her thesis on my film Act of the Heart.

Then I was delighted to return to the peace and quiet of Shigawake. 

But the tracks ran dangerously close to the Bay.

The piles of snow were melting...

 

...and the crocuses and tiny flowers poking up 

through the dead leaves of autumn.

Balmy drive to Gaspe Town, April 23, 2013

On Tuesday, April 23, while Americans must be flourishing with spring buds 

and balmy breezes, Ted and I drove to Gaspe Town to discuss the sale of 

The Chaplain to the 40,000 visitors expected from cruise boats that call in 

here.  But right now, the ice pans are more lovely than cruise boats.

En route, I found the lake in Chandler, which was in full melt a year ago, 

frozen solid. Ted the hardy Gaspesian hardly wears warm clothing 

in the freezing air. 

Driving over Bougainville Road, named after the Admiral who 

gave his name to our gorgeous vines in California, bougainvillea, 

we found all the fields snow covered.

On the route around behind Perce the frozen waterfalls 

appeared like giant necklaces draped over the gaunt cliffs. 

 

Ted snapped me in front of Au Pic de l’Aurore, the peak of dawn.

ViaRail: Quebec City to New Carlisle, April 22, 2013

  

After a packed week in Québec city, I caught the 

Viarail train home to New Carlisle at Charny Station. 

 

 

 

 

When I awoke in Matapedia, I found a fairyland!