Any Montreal Mumsnetters?

[eeneemeeneemineemo]

Have namechanged for this but dh is coming over for a month and myself and ds will be joining him for two weeks. Wondered if there are any Montreal Mumsnetters who can help me out with ideas for things to do in Feb for ds (age 5.5) and practical stuff.

Hi- Born and bred in Montreal.

Ask away

Well, where to begin....I guess I'd like to have some ideas of things to do and also are there any Ocado type grocery delivery services?? We'll be in an apartment and I'd like to order some stuff to arrive before us (dh will be out there already).

Also, just how cold is it likely to be? I've been checking the forecast/ current temps and it doesn't seem that bad but is February usually colder or does it really vary?

There is this site

Lots of activities there and also

here

Which area will you stay in ?

FYI- I've been living in GB for 5 years now but I go back regularly as family and friends are there.

it will be most likely to be cold so you will need proper winter gear: good boots and snow suits for outdoors activities- there is loads of fun things to do: ice skating-tobogganing-cross country skiiing without even leaving the island-

IGA does online shopping there, I used them before I moved. here

Thanks for all of this.
I don't know which area yet but will hopefully find out in the next couple of weeks.
Am guessing it will be downtown though.

Mont Royal looks key. Ds is quite train mad and I've got my eye on the national train museum but it looks quite hard to get to if you don't have a car.

Online shopping looks ideal as I can order it to be sent to dh before ds and I arrive.

I wonder whether they'll accept payment from a UK credit card though??

There is train links out of Montreal is you don't do too far out - here

If you are downtown it will be dead easy to get around- You can also go to the Biodome which is always a big hit with the kids

Also make sure you go to one of the nice old style Dinners on Ste-Catherine, they are fun and very child friendly.

Very good shopping and you can even manage some of it without going outside if you stop at the right metro stations as we have a underground City

Yes all your cards will work there but do advise your bank before you go as they will lock your account after 1 or 2 transactions just as a form of security- it happened to me once when I went back in 2009

Good point re them locking cards.
yes I've got my eye on the biodome already and maybe trying cross country skiing! But I think ds might be a bit young for that.

He is totally obsessed with trains and the underground in London so is quite excited just about seeing the Metro and double decker trains etc so that will keep us busy for a bit .

Are there extra events and activities for kids during mid winter break as I think our second week coincides with that.

Also, do you know any good babysitter or nanny agencies? I might need to do a couple of half days of work so want to look into this. They'd need to be English speaking for ds although dh and I speak good French.

My cousin is a professional childminder so I will ask if she knows anyone in Montreal ( she on the south shore)- will get back to you on that.

Thanks so much Peg - you are a star!

I am planning on buying snow boots when we arrive as they'll be cheaper and better - does that sound sensible?

oh yes- you'll have sales all round for those...they will be clearing for the spring /summer stuff

I was a bit worried they'd have stopped selling snow boots by then (in the same way the shops here stop selling winter gear in about Jan or Feb) so that's good news.

Winter is a lot longer there- Don't go out of of your way and over spend- try and find cheaper shops ( l'aubainerie/Zellers/Winners ( a bit like TK Maxx)-

oh and do, please do visit the Plateau Mont-Royal-Groovy restaurants- boutiques ( rue St-Denis and rue Mont-Royal Mainly)

Mile End- lots of great Bagels( the best in the world) and jewish bakeries/ great coffee shops

Little Italy- Big food market called Marche Jean Talon

All nice neighbourhoods

This is just fab - thanks so much. As a foreigner it's always hard to know which cheap shops are good and which are just rubbish. Love the ideas on where to visit.

It's just a shame the days of 2.2 Canadian Dollars to a pound are over! I used to visit Toronto a lot ages ago and it was soooo cheap for Brits.

i love Montreal, have not been in a while now!
Enjoy!

My cousin knows a childminder who could help- As soon as I get her details I will PM you.

Thank you!

If they are a childminder would they be doing the minding at their house as they do in the UK though? I'd want a babysitting type arrangement at our place as I will be working there and ds will be more comfortable with that. It's just not going to be worth settling him in at a childminder for the sake of about six sessions over the two weeks.

Hi- Well I have checked and yes she does mind at her house- Sorry this won't work.

Perhaps you should find a private agency that would be able to cater to your needs ?

here

Sorry about that - I appreciate you having asked her.

I'll check out the agency. Thanks once again.

No worries- it was worth a try !

Let me know if you need more info

Any more tips?
Am arriving at the end of the week!
Staying just by Mont Royal for a couple of weeks.
Have found the Atwood Children's library which looks great and is relatively nearby.

How's the weather!? Dh is already there and said it was actually quite mild last night.

Bumping.
Anyone?