Having enjoyed the mental peace of almost six weeks at home in Beckenham, albeit under the stress of sad circumstances and emergency arrangements, it was time for the next leg of my world trip.

The Brexit petrol shortage emergency meant that I arrived at LHR in plenty of time to check-in, which was just as well. British Airways have suspended online check-in for a lot of flights. Although I had all of my documentation ready, a system problem at first showed a conflict over whether to let me board.

The documents I had to produce for travel to Canada on 30/9/21 are as follows:

1. Government-authorised proof of full vaccination by an approved vaccine programme. In my case the HK Pfizer Cominraty vaccination was fine, (as it was for the UK until 4th October but now, due to a sloppy official oversight it is no longer approved for the UK);
2. A negative PCR test sampled in the 72 hours before departure from a recognised laboratory;
3. A quarantine plan for the next 14 days should I have fallen ill on the journey or presented a positive result for a PCR test if chosen randomly to take one on arrival in Canada.
4. An ETA attached to my passport number. This has to be done in advance online but takes only a few minutes for the approval to come through.

All of these to be uploaded in advance through the ArriveCan app on my phone but I made sure I had papers copies on hand to show officials. It’s easier that way.

James and I walked through the McGill University campus and I was finally present at all the old haunts where he studied for three years. Continuing up the Mont Royal we passed through a pleasant park with a lake and trees just starting to assume their autumn coats, and gulls and squirrels gambolling in the warm sunshine. At the very top was a magnificent view of the city, including a mural of Leonard Cohen, a Montreal denizen. What goes up must come down, and we wandered downhill through the wide boulevards and quaint, characterful low rise apartment blocks of the “ghetto” and the plateau, just soaking up the atmosphere and catching up on almost two years of absence. Montreal adds its own laid-back chic to the fusion of European and North American styles, and I found it quite charming. I was particularly drawn by the pedestrian crossings. Read what you will into the white man telling you that you can walk.

That evening I met James’s gf’s family (who have welcomed him into their home and lives and offered him the opportunity of supporting him as he trained to be a personal financial adviser) for the first time at a curry restaurant. Everyone at that table was nervous, anxious to impress and on our best behaviour but all went smoothly.

The following day we took the Metro down to the old port and walked around in the pouring rain before returning to try poutine, the local delicacy of chips, cheese curds and gravy. We walked back to my hotel through buzzy neighbourhoods of vintage shops and cookie sellers, punctuated with wall art.

The highlight of my final day in Montreal was our twilight amble through the illuminations in the botanic gardens followed by a pub supper and a meander back to the hotel.

What a lovely trip this has been and beautifully managed by James.

Montreal is lively and welcoming and beautifully clean. Restaurants and public places are strict about requiring ID and proof of double vaccinations. Everyone seems to know how to wear their masks properly, indoors. That certainly took away some of the stress of finding oneself in an unfamiliar environment.

James took his leave of me this morning just before the tears started to flow. I hope it’s not too long before I see him again.