Monday, October 27, 2003

Xmas vacation

I am hoping i could get some advice from the V.C. members who are
familiar with Verdun and Montreal. I am thinking about spending
Christmas there and I cannot afford to stay at the major hotels. Are
there hotels or motels that are inexpensive by the week on the island
you could recommend? Maybe a web site or a name is all I am asking
for.

I plan to do some research on my father's family history so I may be
there for at least 3 weeks over Christmas. This journey will take me
eventually to Ireland, but first I want to spend some time at my
upbringing. We lived at 457 2nd Avenue for 15 years.

I'm sure it will bring a flood of memories back to me, just to walk
down the lane between 2nd Avenue and 1st Avenue. My entire adulthood
was spent at sea in the US merchant marine, and to this day when I
dream of ships, they always dock right outside my door on Second
Avenue.

It has been 44 years since my family left Verdun to live in
California. In 1970 I moved to Hawaii, and have been here ever since.

Anyway, if any member should be aware of a modest, non touristy B&B,
hotel, or a motel, I'd appreciate it very much.

Bill Cooper


"I hold it true, whate’er befall; I feel it, when I
sorrow most; ’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have
loved at all." - 0000,0000,FFFFAlfred Tennyson

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7 comments:

  1. bettylooca MSNOctober 28, 2003 at 1:59 PM

    Hi Bill,
    Here are some cheap places you can check out:
    1. THE AIRPORT INN - 580 MICHEL JASMIN, DORVAL (514)828-5080
    2. QUALITY SUITES - 6300 TRANS CANADA, POINTE CLAIRE (514)426-5060
    3. MOTEL RAPHAEL - 7455 DE STE ANNE DE BELLEVUE BOUL. COTE ST.
    LUC.(514)485-3344

    I know that there are some hotels in downtown Montreal that are like rooming
    houses. Everyone share the same bathroom on one floor. In your room, you
    have a small bar sink and fridge, and couter top burners. I can check out
    the phone number for you if your interested.

    Bill, I noticed in your group profile that your childhood friends were the
    Goudie's. I am related to the Goudies! Were your friends Steven and Kenny
    Goudie?

    Regards;
    Brenda Walsh


    >From: "SecondAve"
    >Reply-To: "Verdun Connections"
    >To: Verdun Connection
    >Subject: Xmas vacation
    >Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 02:29:51 -0800
    >

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  2. secondave MSNOctober 29, 2003 at 6:20 AM

    Thank you for responding Brenda. The tips you have given me will do
    nicely, also the rooming houses sound interesting as well.
    The Goudies I knew, were Robert and Carroll. I grew up with Bob, he
    lived on 1st Avenue between Verdun and Wellington. We go back quite a
    ways. I'm 63 years old.
    Much aloha,
    Bill Cooper

    ReplyDelete
  3. bettylooca MSNOctober 29, 2003 at 1:24 PM

    Hi Bill;
    Well, your age would be around that of my cousin Steven now. Other cousins
    who may be related to the ones you knew are:George Goudie, or perhaps
    Norval.
    Hey, I will check into the telephone number of the rooming houses downtown
    and get back to you on that.
    Regards;
    Brenda


    >From: "SecondAve"
    >Reply-To: "Verdun Connections"
    >To: Verdun Connection
    >Subject: Re: Xmas vacation
    >Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2003 02:20:56 -0800
    >

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  4. secondave MSNOctober 30, 2003 at 6:58 AM

    Hi Brenda,
    Bob's father was named Robert as well, and his grandparents emigrated
    from Scotland I believe. He never did mention much about his extended
    family. If there was any, I do not think he knew them at all. His
    biological dad divorced the mother when Bob was young, and the mother
    remarried. The step father was named Murray Day. Sorry I cannot help
    you with more information.
    Aloha,
    Bill Cooper

    ReplyDelete
  5. secondave MSNOctober 30, 2003 at 10:50 AM

    Thank you Brenda, Les and everyone.
    Great tips on places to stay.
    Just curious; how much is the monthly rent for a typical flat in the
    Verdun avenues in 2003? My parents' rent was about $45 per month for a
    two bedroom in the 50s.
    Bill Cooper

    ReplyDelete
  6. bettylooca MSNOctober 30, 2003 at 2:13 PM

    Hi Bill;
    Yes, the Goudie's were from Scotland. They actually built the first
    steamship to cross the Atlantic and landed in Quebec - where they built a
    shipbuilding plant. The Royal William was given to the monarchy of England
    at the time. They used it for vacationing for a while until it was given to
    royalty in Spain as a wedding gift. They then turned the vessel into a
    battleship and it fired the first hostile shot in the Spanish civil war!

    As for rooming houses, I have checked out the prices of a couple of them for
    you. I have but one left. I will have to pass by for the telephone number.
    As soon as I have compiled a list for you, I will send it to you.

    Best regards;
    Brenda


    >From: "SecondAve"
    >Reply-To: "Verdun Connections"
    >To: Verdun Connection
    >Subject: Re: Xmas vacation
    >Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 02:58:14 -0800
    >

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  7. secondave MSNOctober 31, 2003 at 3:43 PM

    Hi Brenda,
    If you do not mind such a personal question, In what way are you
    related to the Goudies, Did you attend Verdun High school? If so which
    years. Bob Goudie was my best friend growing up on the avenues of
    Verdun.
    Bill Cooper
    cooperw001@hawaii.rr.com.

    ReplyDelete