..and my parents ditch me yet again

They went to Charlevoix and Quebec City... so at least this time they stayed in the country!

In Charelvoix, there was a charity golf tournament for Special Olympics.
This is my Papa giving out the Jim Thompson Memorial golf trophy to the winning team.

This is the entrance to the Manoir Richelieu - a gorgeous chateau where the tournament was hosted

After the tournament was finished (and Aunt Nycki and Nana could finally rest after months of preparation), the fun began. First up - golf!!

While the course was stunning and the weather perfect, mom's game lacked that 'je ne sais quoi'...

Dad, however, was pleased with his golf prowess

Another shot of the Manoir where they stayed for three nights

To celebrate the success of the tournament as well as a great year at Etherington Generations -Papa, Nana, Uncle Paul, Aunt Nycki and Mom & Dad treated themselves to a lavish dinner at the Manoir

Uncle Paul and Aunt Nycki clean up well :)

Okay - this is the coolest thing.

Before your main course is served the waiter brings you this little bowl covered with a silver casing. When you look inside the bowl, you see this small tablet that you think is antacid (and at this point you become very confused). But then the waiter pours hot water on the antacid and it grows 10x bigger and becomes a hot towel!! Very impressive...

After the fancy towel dinner, the whole gang travelled to Quebec City - which, by the way, is the second oldest settlement in North America

(also kudos to Nana for driving a small van from Charlevoix to Quebec City loaded with 6 people, 4 sets of golf clubs and about 12 suitcases!)

This is the Chateau Frontenac where they stayed in Quebec City (raaahhh) - it opened in 1893 and is obviously rich with history. Mom LOVED it!

This is a picture of Dad in front of the Citadel, which was constructed by the Duke of Wellington following the War of 1812 - and was also home to the Quebec Conference of 1943 where Churchill and Roosevelt (and Mackenzie King when they allowed him) discussed strategy for WWII

The Saint Lawrence

Great shopping... although don't ask Uncle Paul what he bought

Mom, Dad, Aunt Nycki and Uncle Paul decided to go for a horse and carriage ride

Behind Paul and Nycki you can see the wall separating the old city

Dad made the carriage stop at the Plains of Abraham.

For all of you proud Canadians, the Plains are where the British fought the French on September 13, 1759 and was the deciding moment in the conflict over 'New France'.

Thank goodness Wolfe defeated Montcalm - because who would want to live in New France?? Not me!

And on that particular note, mom wasn't overly impressed by the anti-Canadian rantings of our carriage driver. Mom repeatedly wanted to tell him to 'fermer la bouche'... especially when he spoke ill of the Queen and Governor General

Needless to say mom much preferred the horse, Charlie, to the driver. Au Revoir!

The gang having pre-dinner cocktails at the Chateau

Another lovely dinner before we all flew home

Okay... no more vacations for you :)