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S Spending one week finding magic and making memories Oh, how I love Old Montreal. We spent three days wandering the streets, exploring charming shops and eclectic art boutiques, and being spoiled by bartenders eager to mix magic elixirs and chefs working wonders, each dish another delight. Montreal has a renowned nightlife, but each time there, I rediscover I like the city more in the rst light of morning, after the disco kings and queens have gone off to sleep away pretensions, as I happily wander deserted streets in search of coffee. In Quebec City, no street was deserted as we found ourselves in the midst the annual Invasion Of Eights. Eighters were everywhere. Grade 8 students, that is, as seemingly every class in the country descended upon the postcard-perfect city. On our second day there, the skies opened. Torrential rain, all day. We took most of the day off sight-seeing, but from dry vantage points we watched as the Eighters stoically marched on, up and down the city's formidable hills, from historical site to historical site, a parade of soggy students. 27 | Thursday, June 25, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com even days away. AWOL from all obligations. One week to reconnect and rejuvenate with my wife and to make some memories. We left under what we classi ed as a cloud. Just prior to departure, the mechanic performing routine service on my wife's car found a slow leak; seemingly the only thing on Earth slower than this leak was how long he estimated it would take to x. Alas, it was time we didn't have. My wife asked whether leaky auto could make it through our itinerary intact -- three days in Montreal, two in Quebec City, and two more days farther east in La Malbaie? The mechanic wasn't about to place any bets, or inspire any con dence, but he thought it was possible. Ah, there's nothing more carefree than hurtling down a highway knowing the vehicle in which you're hurtling could, I dunno, break down? Blow up? We knew we'd arrived in Old Montreal when the roads narrowed, the crowds thickened, and under a sky-blue sky, the atmosphere came alive. That's Life Andy Juniper Guest Contributor Speaking of parades, if you've never been to La Malbaie, what are you waiting for? It's less than a two-hour drive from Quebec City, and en route you can visit beautiful, bucolic Orleans Island, replete with artisan's shops and pastoral views, and the eye-popping Canyon Sainte-Anne's gorge and waterfalls. One night in Malbaie, we sat out on the veranda of a cute, quaint restaurant, enjoying a glass of wine, and watching with wonder: it seemed like everyone in the tiny community was outside socializing -- kids playing tag, parents chitchatting; it was like a surreal scene from a bygone age. As our dinner arrived, all activity came to a halt as... a parade broke out. Right down the street in front of us. Horses, country musicians on oats, more horses. Lilly, our waitress, smiled: "Happens once a year. No particular reason. You're in luck." We were in luck all week. Leaky auto hung in, no breakdowns, no blow-ups. We fell in love again with Old Montreal. We survived The Invasion Of Eights in Quebec City. And we felt warmly embraced by little, lovable La Malbaie. Plenty of magic, loads of memories. Now, back to all those obligations. -- Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@gmail.com, found on Facebook www.facebook.com, or followed on Twitter at www.twitter. com/thesportjesters. High Efficiency FURNACE & CENTRAL AIR ONLY AIRE ONE MADNESS SALE! $ $ PACKAGE INCLUDES: · 95.5% High Efficiency Gas Furnace · High Efficiency Central Air R410A Refrigerant · 10 Year Factory Warranty · Limited Time Offer 3990 59 * OR $ * /MTH OAC $ *Call for details 49 AIR CONDITIONING OR FURNACE DIAGNOSTIC SPECIAL* Reg. $99 Over 120,000 satisfied custOmers Aire One | 1065 Upper James St. 905-385-2800 Must Present Coupon. Cannot Be Combined with other offers. LIMITED TIME ONLY! Heating & Cooling $ IN O.P.A. & GAS COMPANY REBATES. 1,350 UP TO 9 LOCATIONS TO SERvE YOU bETTER Heating & Cooling www.aireone.com 905-849-4998 1-888-827-2665 905.338.5721 ce Auto Servi Auto Body ruS A uSed 0c d 0 An p From $2,0 www.jnbautocenter.com · Scheduled Maintenance · Fuel Injection · Computer Diagnostics · Transmission & Clutches Accredited Test · Front & Rear End Work & Repair Facility · Electrical · Windshield Repair/Replacement · Shocks & Struts QEW · Air-Conditioning · Brakes Wyecroft · Tune-Ups JNB · Engines · Tires · Wheel Alignments · Oil & Fluid Changes Weller Ct. Insurance Claims Collision Repair Auto Body & Paint Buy a pair of Prescription Glasses and receive a pair of Sunglass Frames at no Charge! * See store for details Dorval Dr. 294 Wyecroft Rd., Oakville Monday-Friday 8-5 Saturday 8-1 92 Dunn Street Downtown oakville lebeauoptical@gmail.com www. lebeauoptical.com 905-845-3621