Quebecers took advantage of the mild weather on Saturday to walk around and rediscover the pleasures of sunny days, enjoying the rays of the sun in a park or a terrace, in Quebec or Montreal.
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“After the very snowy winter that we had, it feels good to finally be able to enjoy a bit of spring,” notes Michel Poitras, a passer-by who was walking with his wife on rue Saint-Jean, in the Old Quebec, during the afternoon.
DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
Others, like Sarah Langevin and her young children, waited several minutes to enjoy their first frozen treat of the season. There were dozens of them queuing in front of the creameries and others gelaterias of the historic area of the city.
“We waited a long time, but it’s worth it on a beautiful day like this. There is a lightness in the air and we see that people are happy to be able to go out without putting on a toque and a scarf.
The calm after the storm
The effects of the first hot and sunny weekend were also felt in Montreal at the end of the day.
“We really have a lot of fun,” says Geneviève, who was accompanied by her friends Cynthia and Aymen.
Laurent Lavoie
From left to right, Aymen, Geneviève and Cynthia were enjoying the good weather at Lafontaine Park late Saturday afternoon.
A little further on, three young Europeans found it hard to believe that the ice storm had shaken the province recently.
“We had ice, and a week later we have 20 degrees!” laughs Elisa De Maertelaere.
The storm that occurred a little over a week ago was still being felt, as towering branches were still strewn on the ground. Children even had fun stacking them near the trees.
Laurent Lavoie
Many branches were still strewn across the park floor due to the ice storm that occurred nearly two weeks ago.
Crowded terraces
Who says return of good weather also says reopening of the terraces. At aperitif time, you had to search for several minutes to find a free table on rue Saint-Jean, Grande Allée or avenue Cartier, in the capital.
DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
“Friends, sunshine, a little beer: that’s happiness! We are happy to find our classic Saturday outing, ”says Maxime with a smile on his face, surrounded by his good friends.
Passing through Quebec as part of his job, Jeffrey Murphy, a native of Boston, said he was pleasantly surprised by the good weather.
“I brought a coat and a scarf for nothing, he jokes, glass in hand. I still have a lot of work to do, but I took a few minutes to enjoy the sun and the city.”
DIDIER DEBUSSCHERE/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
On Mont-Royal Avenue, in the metropolis, terraces were relatively rare, but the restaurants and bars seemed full.
“It’s my first terrace of the year, rejoiced Caroline. We were looking for one and we took a short trip here.
Laurent Lavoie
Caroline managed to find a bar, the Rouge gorge, which gave her a bit of sun, on Mont-Royal Avenue, late Saturday afternoon.
For as long as it lasts
Meteorologist Katarina Radovanovic, from Environment Canada, advises Quebecers to make the most of the good weather this weekend, because it won’t last.
“We’ve had clear skies and warm weather in the last few days, but that’s going to change pretty quickly. Significant amounts of rain and a maximum of five degrees are forecast for the start of the week. It should improve for next weekend, but we will stay within the average for the season.
-With the collaboration of Laurent Lavoie