As the days go by, we yearn for a brief interruption in time. That the film freezes on some of our sweetest memories and that the sands get stuck in the narrowing of the hourglass. Alas, this is impossible since the world in which we live continues to flow at the same pace for everyone, notwithstanding our daily life which differs from that of others.
Without putting our heads in the sand and ignoring everything around us, we must nevertheless take the time for ourselves, to calm our inner demons or to curb the malicious cortisol that cries out anguish. So why not take advantage of the coming of the season of promises to refocus and do some good?
Firstly, go out to let our five senses shine. Feeling vitamin D flow through our veins. Get on our bike and head for the West Island on one of the many bike paths that this part of the country offers. Or, again, take the routes around Lac St-Louis to greet Dorval, Pointe-Claire, Beaconsfield, Baie d'Urfé and Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue. Stopping to stretch your legs and bring the water bottle to your mouth to complete the loop by following Lac des Deux-Montagnes via Chemin Senneville.
We pedaled all week like ducks in the Meadowbrook stream to juggle our files. We then stopped to contemplate the mallards which waded nonchalantly in groups at this place not far from the headquarters of the blue-collar workers of Beaconsfield. Thereupon, we acted like them and swayed our way to the Arboretum Morgan in Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue. We took the opportunity to admire the nature of this forest reserve which is exposed over more than 245 hectares on the western tip of the island.
Certainly, after taking in all these kilometers, there was something to whet our appetite. Either we unpacked our picnic basket in a nature park resembling the Cap-Saint-Jacques or stopped at one of those terraces that open parasols from Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue all the way to Dorval. Even amidst the rain you’re able to sit down at a table, sheltered from the damp gaze of the droplets, at one of the many restaurants that line those that were once named after the Montées: Montée des Sources, Montée St-Jean or Montée St- Charles. These three main arteries that cross the body of West Island from north to south are full of establishments that will royally satisfy your palate.
Now that you are sated to the fullest, you must take the opportunity to lengthen your pace to the many flower shops and nurseries that are springing up all over the west coast of our island. Take the time to smell the nature that is regaining ground. The earth’s scent that smells of life, the new stems that are just waiting for your help to grow in harmony, the colors of the annuals that rival those of the humbler perennials.
Then, return to the fold and linger over the song of birds with varied feathering calling out to each other to talk about love from the one end of your yard or balcony to the other, reminding you that the most beautiful place to set your nest up and build sweet memories is undeniably the West Island.
