Kathy, Mathieu and I go for breakfast at a nice restaurant on Saturday morning before I leave Quebec. I head off around lunchtime and chase the northern bank of the St Lawrence to Tadoussac. It's a beautiful ride made even better by clear skies and a warm sun. I arrive in Tadoussac around 6 after catching the ferry across the fjord. Mathieu had found a hostel/campsite on the web and when I arrive i find a backpackers oasis. Masses of friendly crew, live music...

Only a short drive from the city is the beautiful Valle de la Jacques Cartier where I hike the Les Loups (the wolves) trail for a stunning view over the forest and the river below. In the evening we head to Mathieu's brothers apartment in the lower old town for dinner and drinks on the roof top before going to see Guns and Roses perform on les plaines d'abraham.

I've arranged to Skype with a friend in Perth and get a great surprise when a few minutes into the conversation she has two of our other friends appear from off screen. Its the first time we've spoken since i left and we chat for an hour. I spend the afternoon exploring some sights just outside of the city. Montmorency Falls and Orleans Island. Back in the City I meet up with Mathieu and we head to the music festival.

It's 10 am by the time I leave the house after speaking with friends in Australia and Scotland. Back in the city I head into the lower old town, the oldest part of the city, and then to Notre-Dame and the Church of the Holy Trinity. A pianist and male singer are practicing for an upcoming concert at Holy Trinity. They are both very good. I find a shady spot on top of the city wall and read my book while some street performances are going on below.

I spend the morning walking the perimeter of the old upper town on top of the city wall and fortifications and the afternoon wandering the old town itself. Le Festival d'ete de Quebec (10 day music festival) is in full swing and Kathy has a spare ticket. Mathieu and I head in to the city and meet up with some of his friends to see MGMT and Weezer.