We start the morning in a more relaxed manner, after a simple bagel and scrambled egg breakfast, we stock up on fruit and water and head to the duck pond. In a stark contrast to yesterday we sit in the sun and enjoy the warmth and peace whilst the ducks also enjoy breakfast.

A decision is made to board the sight seeing bus tour, so we spend a couple of hours on the top deck of what looks like an old red London bus, minus the roof. A tour in both French and English, we even start to understand the French, well at least gauche and droit.

The tour loops round Mount Royal, and as the bus struggles up the steep incline we are reminded of how far we climbed yesterday. This time we have an even higher vantage point for views over the city. Some facts we learn from the tour, over 100 languages are spoken in Quebec, it was founded by French Catholics and the largest cemetery in Canada is near Mount Royal, with a number in the millions rested here.

The tour guide also points out one of many relaxation corners, specially designed areas to provide places to meet and relax, a staple of the city.

The bus tour concludes but we hop back on to get to the water front and Old Montreal.

Old Montreal is of course where Montreal was founded, and the Downtown area we are stopping in was once fields when the city was first built.

Cobbled, narrow streets and stone built buildings give a glimpse into what the city once looked like, many ‘terrase’ areas provided outside dining, Montreal has more outside dining than anywhere in Europe.

Vic is hungry and we decide to grab a quick slice of ‘Montreal New York’ pizza. Maybe not the most authentic of foods, but is actually tucked away down one of the most picturesque streets, and we enjoy a quick bite whilst the world passes by, and a small group of sparrows watches us from the red blossom trees. I feed the very brave sparrows my pizza crust and Vic’s hunger is sated for now..

Heading into the main square of the Old town, reveals many of the outside dining options, and a large square featuring street performers. Before long a guitar player starts to play a familiar sound, it seems even here you can not escape Oasis.

The sun has continued to shine and a stall selling ice-cream is spotted. Maple syrup and walnut flavour seems a must do, so we are soon enjoying this Canadian favourite.

We head down the square towards the waterfront and the most visible landmark is a more modern feature, a large wheel reminisent of the London Eye. We decide to not ride the wheel, we have already had the best view of the city from Mont Royal.

Montreal is made up of 3 islands, divided by a river, as we walk along the water front we can see one of the islands across the way. Several boat tours pass by as well as the regular water shuttles providing a quick way for tourists and commuters to hop across the islands.

By now Vic is talking of food again so we head back to the Old Town, as evening draws in the streets are busy and the restaurants are starting to fill up. We head away from the crowds and find a quieter spot at Ghandi, an Indian restaurant. We opt for their namesake vegetarian set menu, where amongst many tasty treats we are severed a samosa Vic declares to be the biggest she has ever seen

We enjoy the meal and the chance to get away from the crowds. Heading back to the square things have gotten even busier with most restaurants being full and a lively evening atmosphere is in the air.

An odd moment happens when a group of college students ask to take a picture with us as part of their integration, having correctly identified us as tourists. Maybe it was the bright pink wristband from the bus that gave us away.

A casual stroll back through the old town via one of the more famous landmarks the Basilica of Notre Dame. A grand building in yet another square featuring a string of street performers. We arrive as a man playing a hammered dulcimer (Google it) is playing familiar tunes.

We sit and enjoy the music and watch the many different people enjoy the square. It is getting late and we opt to walk back through the city to get some sleep before tomorrow, where we are due to head to the site of the 1976 Olympic Games.