Our Last Stop on the South Shore
There is much help waiting at the dock at Sainte Anne des Monts but as we are just sitting on the outside of a long pier, no real threat to anyone. One other larger sailboat ahead and two more dock behind us by the end of the day.
Our area cruising guide tells us of a poissonnerie just behind the marina office, so seeing the many tourists we immediately head there to make a reservation for tonight’s dinner. No need….eat now or come back at 8:00. So our first stop is a delicious dinner of smoked salmon mousse, seared haddock and garlic shrimp and scallops, topped off with a slice of the local favourite, sugar pie. Thank you Restaurant du Quai!
We are now in the region of Haute Gaspesie and it feels very different from the other areas of Quebec we have already visited. Even the language is different!
Sainte Anne des Monts is the largest town between Matane and Gaspe. (Population 3200 in 2016) Not only good for provisioning, it is also a popular kite boarding centre and home to “Exploramer”: a marine museum and discovery centre featuring Gulf of St. Lawrence and Gaspe marine environment and conservation information.
Our plan on Tuesday is to run a bit of laundry, pick up a few groceries and tour the museum. The day is very windy but many tourists walk the long pier, fish or visit the museum.
Our tickets are purchased in advance and we visit the Quay’s Bar for a bowl of waved whelk chowder and a croissant, followed by seaweed fudge. Serving only Smarter Seafood the price is steep but an enjoyable dining adventure before heading to the aquarium and touch tanks. The shark exhibit was a bit of surprise when we learned of the very large great whites that do call this river and gulf their home. Truly an exceptional discovering centre where we saw children captivated by their experience holding sea cucumber and lobster, listening to the biologists explain habitat, life cycle and preservation importance. And we finally see a northern gannet up close. Much larger than we imagined and unfortunately behind glass.
Exploramer
Unfortunately, due to Covid, the Annual Mackerel Festival is not running this year. We had hoped arriving in July we could take part in the celebration of the mackerel with fish dinners and live music. Before returning to the boat we wander down the pier but the wind is too strong to walk to the end. More fender adjustments, sail plan discussion with the neighbours and fresh shrimp pasta for dinner. A good day!
Ebbed tide at Sainte Anne des Monts