20 Signs That Spring Has Sprung In Montreal…

 

As the last of the snow melts and the landscape thaws, trees are slowly coming back to life, flowers are starting to spring up and basil plants, towels and outdoor furniture are being sold in the supermarkets. These are evident signs that Spring is here. Yet, there are some other changes around the hood that point to the fact that “Spring is Sprung” in Le Plateau, Montreal!

 

It is sunny and ten degrees!! The long awaited Spring (Printemps) is here!

And just like that – I am falling in love with Montreal, all over again! No longer is she the “cruel mistress” of winter, but she’s transforming herself into that old, familiar, vibrant, captivating, warm-hearted friend – in the persona of Spring.

The friend, who is leading me, towards Summer!

 

Here are 20 Signs That Spring Has Sprung In Montreal:

 

1. The Terraces are back!

 

2. Ice cream shops re-open

 

3. There is a huge amount of people out at 1am on a Wednesday night, just because it was sunny and 7 degrees during the day – a cause for celebration!

 

4. You no longer need woolen stockings under your jeans and you can leave the house without gloves on

 

5. The outdoor market returns as do the street performers at Metro Mont-Royal – AND there is a crowd watching

 

 

 

6. Guys are wearing shorts at 6 degrees

 

7. Condoms are given out on terraces (for a donation to charity) and boys take girls flowers

 

 

 

8. Bike shops are crowded with people pumping their bike tyres with air. Everyone is on their bike again!

 

 

 

 

9. Your weather application FINALLY stops sending you alerts to your devices to tell you that, “It’s freezing!”

 

10. Sunglasses are being sold on the street

 

 

 

11. Photography exhibitions return to Avenue Mont-Royal

 

 

12. Skateboarders are now back ‘en force’ on the streets – some riders have guitars on their backs!

 

13. The “Banana lounges” return to Metro Mont-Royal

 

 

 

14. Dry Cleaning shops have an influx of heavy winter jackets

 

15. Strollers are everywhere on the streets, and now they can even be left outside!

 

 

 

16. The Spring ‘soundtrack’ is that of drills, saws and banging – maintenance projects around the neighbourhood are in full swing

 

17. Snow removal vehicles can be seen on the back of trucks, leaving the city

 

18. Bixi Bikes return! And they will be FREE, for rides under 30 minutes on the last Sunday of every month, starting May 29th.

 

 

 

19. I can now wear thongs to put the rubbish out (that is – flip flops, not underwear!)

 

20. The Tam Tams at Mont-Royal are back on!