St Anne de Bellevue on a hot, lazy, and sunshiney afternoon

St. Anne's is about a 20km bike ride from Pierrefonds. It used to feel like a much farther, longer, bike ride way back then.

There are a few routes to choose from to get to St. Anne's from Pierrefonds by bicycle. My preferred route is via Gouin Blvd and Senneville Rd.

Lots of shade along the way, specially when it's a hot and sunny day.



Halfway along the way, if you need to stop for a toilette break, there is the Cap St. Jacques Nature center.



Senneville Rd is lined with beautiful homes, some are mansions really, old stone houses as well as modern design, huge properties, some are popular and used by film makers to shoot scenes for their movies.





When you get to St. Anne's via Senneville Rd first couple of landmarks that greet you are the church and the locks.





Many times I'd spend some time on the boardwalk, enjoying the view, watching the boats that are docked and those making their way through the locks.





Chances are I will be back to pay another visit to St. Anne's next week. Might even stay for dinner at one of the many fine restaurants in the town.

Interesting article about Iloilo City

The 10 chieftains from Borneo arrived near the Siwaragan River, present day San Joaquin, Iloilo during the early 13th century. This after they bought Panay Island from Negrito leader Marikudo with a gold hat and necklace.

Marikudo

The Spaniards landed in Iloilo in 1556 and immediately built a community in Onton, then known as Ogtong. By 1581, the colonial government moved the capital of the province to La Villa de Arevalo.

In 1700, the Spaniards again transferred the seat of government to the Irong-Irong. The word "Irong-Irong" comes from "ilong-ilong" or "nose like", which describes the shape of the narrow piece of land traversing two rivers to form the angle of a "nose" on which the city of Iloilo was established.

At Irong-Irong, the Spaniards constructed a fort, Fort San Pedro, and later dubbed it as Iloilo which eventually became the name of the province and its capital city.

Iloilo officially became a province during the American Period on March 10, 1917.

The Ilonggos or Hiligaynons are renowned for their hospitality and amiable, leisurely view of the world. This was illustrated years ago when Iloilo landlords spent liberally the riches they accumulated from selling sugar. But when the price of sugar dipped during the early 1980s, the landlords were forced to a reality check. The grand old mansions of Iloilo now remain as a reminder of that once glorious past. But Iloilo has since diversified and now is one of the vibrant cities of the Philippines.

Iloilo is also famous for its dialect, Ilonggo, which is notable for its slow, gentle, and seductive cadence. In Tagalog, the tone can be closely described as "malambing".

Flower power

From Nil's flower plant collection








this tomato plant was given by mom and it's now bearing fruit

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Cycling down the Senneville Rd hill

Was not pedaling at all, free wheeling down this hill, needed to hold tight to the camera with my right hand while at the same time holding on to the handle bar - my left hand held the handle bar / left brake (for the front wheel) steady.

50 km round trip bike ride to St. Anne De Bellevue

Who could resist a bike ride to however far it may be on a beautiful day as today?

I did not want to pass up the opportunity while also taking advantage in the lull in business activity this week (Canadians are getting ready for Canada Day holiday weekend and the Americans for their fourth of July holiday celebration).

From Pierrefonds the route I take is via Gouin Blvd heading west, Gouin Blvd eventually ends and becomes Senneville Blvd once you get to the town of Senneville. You just follow Senneville Blvd until you get to the town of St. Anne de Bellevue.

The route I took going back was via Beaconsfield Rd / Lakeshore Blvd, heading eastward. This route takes me through the towns / municipalities of Baie D'Urfe, Beaconsfield, Pointe Claire, Dollard des Ormeaux, and then finally back to Pierrefonds.


beautiful day for the boaters


By the banks of Lac St. Louis, Highway 40 is way over there


not too crowded this early afternoon, boats I meant :)

Lauren’s foray into photography

Using my Canon Sureshot camera that I usually bring with me wherever I go Lauren shows that she’s got an eye for it.

Lolo smiles for Lauren

Tita Pam was happy to pose

so did Dad

even Mom and baby sister Lea who was under the cover

Love you Lauren Joy!!

Lauren and her Lolo

Lauren and Lolo Lito


Lauren with her baby sister Lea

Lolo is short for and another term of endearment for that magic word "Grandfather"

I grew up with my grandmother, on my dad's side, who lived with us until the time we moved to Canada. She stayed behind in Manila, looked after by my aunt and cousin, because she failed the physical (medical check up). She was a very good cook. She also baked great tasting cakes, pastries, and other treats. I remember a time when I went with her to a baking contest; don't know whether she won a prize, but to me and my siblings, we all loved her cakes and other desserts she prepared.

My grandmother on my mom's side mostly spent her time living in the province (country) where she looked after their land / hacienda / sugar plantation. She'd come to Manila every so often to visit and when she did she'd bring all kinds of goodies from the province- one I recall and loved was a treat called "kalamay-hati".


Kalamay hati

It's officially summer

And we have been blessed with beautiful weather the last few days. Thank You Lord.

I have been riding my bike regularly and it feels great too.

Even got Tita Nil a bike- a folding bike from Uncle Pilo. We'll see if she will ride it and like it. We'll give it a try later.

Happy Graduation Trishy!!

Our baby girl, on her Graduation Day!!

Congratulations Trish!

Mom and I are proud and happy for you!!

Tour De L'Ile de Montreal 2011