July 14th, Bastille Day in France and for the French the world over, saw the Belem returning from Montreal to her berth in the Port of Quebec where she was awaited and welcomed back after a week's absence. A large delegation of crew members were guests at the official celebrations organised by the French Embassy in the presence of Jean Charest, Prime Minister of Quebec.
In the afternoon, the Belem opened once more to the public as she had done on the previous occasion. Notwithstanding the rather uncertain weather, the visits continued all through the week, with great success. On one occasion, a group of very special guests came on board for a short sail along the Saint Laurent River: they were none other than all 13 Prime Ministers of the territories and provinces of the Canadian Federation... It was in fact a joyful, friendly event, as is often the case in Canada, with everyone obviously enjoying their stay on the ship.
Then on Sunday 20th at 12 p.m., a few minutes after the start of the Quebec – Saint Malo Transatlantic Race, the Mayor of Quebec came to say a last farewell to the Belem at the end of a very successful stay, as attested by the 9000 or so visitors who, during this time came to meet and discover the grand old lady from across the Atlantic...
While the crowd cheered and waved, the Belem set sail at 1 p.m. heading for the Saint Laurent Gulf and the long journey home. A few hours later, thanks to her twin engines, she overtook and left behind most of the Quebec – Saint Malo armada, stranded on the spot by lack of wind!
For those of you who enjoy a bit of a read in French, don't miss the delightful and moving account signed Jean Cloutier, the harbour pilot who supervised the entry of the Belem at the Port of Quebec on her first arrival...
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Après une semaine à Montréal, le Belem a remis le cap sur Québec où il était attendu pour la fête nationale française. Parti le 13 juillet à 15h30 de la métropole québécoise sous une pluie soutenue, le navire est entré dans le port de Québec le 14 juillet à 8h du matin, et y a retrouvé son désormais familier poste à quai n°19. Faits marquants de cette seconde et dernière semaine d'escale à Québec...
Je suis pilote du Saint-Laurent depuis une douzaine d'année et au cours de cette période, j'ai eu la chance et le plaisir de piloter différents navires de différentes nationalités. Il y a eu des cargos, des porte-conteneurs, des superpétroliers, des navires de guerre, des voiliers dont le grand voilier Chilien Esméralda, des navires à passagers dont le Queen Mary 2, et chacun de ces voyages a eu son lot d'intérêt pour moi à des degrés différents. Mais piloter le Belem vers le 400ème de la ville de Québec a été le voyage de ma carrière jusqu'à présent.
