Twy's Twavels...orchard pique-nique, Gregorian chant and cheese

It's officially Fall...the 30+ weather of last week has given way to chillier mornings and the need for a sweater, socks and shoes.  That's ok.  It is October 1st after all...and our airline tickets are booked for Costa Rica on the 12th.  So, we'll enjoying this cooler weather and our last few days in the camper (although tonight while making the dinette table into our bed, bathing kiddos, folding laundry and washing dishes all within a hair of each other a comment was made about how nice it will be to have a bit more space for the coming 6 months).

We are in the town of Magog - in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.  Yesterday when we got to our campsite, we set up and then jumped on our bikes for a 12 km pedal to Lake Memphremagog.  Yes, our 7 year old did fine - as a matter of fact, she was ready to climb, jump, run and play at the playground when we arrived at our destination by the lake.  Arden jumped back on his bike and treked uphill to get the truck and pick us up (along with some money so I could warm up with hot chocolate).  Thankful for his willingness to do that.

Today, we visited a monastery at St. Benoit du Lac to listen to Gregorian chant and French Mass given by Benedict monks.  We were able to listen to pipe organ music as well.  I learned a lot about the 1901 French anti-clerical laws that caused this group to eventually move to this region and what life as a monk looks like.  They provided a well explained introduction to the Rules of Benedict who helped create the lifestyle that they live to this day.  (Interestingly, I had just finished reading a book called 'The Secret of the Blue Trunk' by Lise Dion which is also a memoir of a Catholic religious experience in both Quebec and Europe - a good read.)  I thought about Samuel from the Old Testament and how he grew up in a holy order at the Tabernacle.

After Mass, we bought some cheese and apple butter to accompany the pique-nique of fresh bread (love our little bread maker), fresh cucumber slices, party olives, hot bengal spice tea, authentic halva from the Jean Talon Market and chocolate cookies.  We asked a few questions and were given permission to eat our pique-nique in the middle of the apple orchard run by the Monks.  Delightful!  They said we could pick 5 apples to go along with our cheeses - many varieties were planted.  Afterwards, we picked a bag of apples to buy and bring home.  The sky was completely blue and the sun warmed us.  A great Fall day we'll remember for years to come - and maybe we'll hum a few Gregorian chants as we ponder.

(Pique-nique is the French way of writing picnic - I think I'll adopt it too!)