Unpopular opinion, but November is such a lovely month. Perhaps even my favourite. The jury is still out on that one, but she's certainly making a strong case for herself this year.
And when the stars align — the weather is mild, the skies are gloomy, a little rain is in the forecast, AND Le Tap Room just so happens to have made its vegetarian burger a permanent fixture on the menu — well, the stars are definitely aligned.
Rubber boots on, plaid trench coat, umbrella ready, and let's not forget a deck of cards.
Off we go! Rendezvous at Le Tap Room, at Manoir Hovey.
Lucky for me, living in the Eastern Townships means this little escape is only a short dreamy drive away.
Pulling into the world-renowned Manoir Hovey already sets the mood for an entire experience. The beautiful white buildings, green shutters, surrounding nature, and that unmistakable feeling of being somewhere special. It's a luxury hotel, spa, and destination in its own right.
But today? It’s for the burger. Hah!
There's something about Le Tap Room that makes me feel as though I've wandered into my own little version of the Cotswolds. Or at least somewhere Jude Law might casually walk into the pub while I'm sipping my Pinot. IYKYK.
Inside, it's all warm wood, rustic charm, and the kind of cozy atmosphere that makes you hope the rain keeps falling. And if you're lucky, you get the table right beside the immense fireplace. Which we did. Thank you, stars!
We settled in by the fire, ordered two pints, a burger for my husband, and the vegetarian burger for me. Extra pickles, please!
And while we waited? We enjoyed a few card games of golf. I lost every single game, but ask me how much I cared.
Because honestly, is there anything better than an unhurried afternoon? No particular schedule, nowhere else we needed to be, just a warm fireplace, a little rain outside, and some quality time with my favourite person.
And then… the burgers arrived!
Not only did mine come with extra pickles, but THE AMOUNT OF FRIES! Eeeek. So good.
Eventually, we gathered our things, stepped back into the damp November air, and wandered through the courtyard, with its pumpkins, green shutters, crispy fallen leaves and puddles I always make a point to walk into.
The sort of afternoon that makes you wish you could stretch time just a little longer. Nothing particularly extraordinary happened. We went for lunch, played cards, ate burgers, and enjoyed a few hours together.
And yet, it was just one of those perfectly ordinary moments that somehow feels like everything.
Maybe that's why I love November so much. The slower days, the gloomy skies, and the perfect excuse to linger somewhere warm while the rain falls outside…
And for those wondering, Jude Law never did walk into the pub.
