It may snow a lot here in Canada, in fact, at the moment it is snowing an awful lot, but that doesn't deter the brave and foolish from indulging in a little winter sport. We in the Palmer household are no different. We may not have the outdoor pedigree enjoyed by most Canadians, but we do have the spirit. The biggest pastimes undertaken in the outdoors here (discounting ice hockey, played by younger people in a lot of protective gear - must have a disposition for fighting) are skiing and skating. My dilemma is that I'm good at one and bloody hopeless at the other.
Skiing here is easy. Jump in the car and you are 30 mins from Snow Hill and 40 minutes from Rabbit Hill - mentioned in an earlier blog. You are also a mere 31/2 hours from Jasper, home of Marmot Basin. Last Saturday, I took Charlotte to Rabbit Hill to rediscover our skiing legs and for her to try out her new skis (well, second hand actually). I must admit that I am still a little surprised at her transformation from a nervous and timid beginner into a capable speed merchant. It is going to be hard work for me to keep up with her soon, even if I am getting rather adept at skiing backwards. I expect it will only be a matter of a short while before her younger sister, who also has her own skis, joins her on the slopes. My half day skiing was spoiled only by the fact that half of it was spent in a queue to hire my skis. As yet, neither Claire nor I possess our own but after Saturday's experience that situation will have to change. I say only a half day, because Claire had made plans to take Charlotte skating in the afternoon.
Recently, I have been under some pressure (some may call it nagging. I of course, would not possibly call it that) to get myself a pair of skates and launch myself onto the ice. My problem with this is that I have very bad memories of skating in my youth. Afternoons spent at Streatham ice rink, clutching the side rail and wobbling from one sitting exercise to the other will forever haunt me. If I couldn't master it then when I was in the flush of youth, how the hell can I expect to master it at 51? To me, skating is the living embodiment of the irresistible force (my falling backside) meeting the immovable object (solid ice) and it ain't the ice that is going to crack sonny. This, as my wife reminds me, is a defeatist attitude. Apparently, there are people in their eighties out on the lakes, pirouetting and triple Lutzing for all they are worth, so why can't you? Well good for them, they probably chop wood with their bare hands and make their own whisky too. I like the relationship I have with my unbroken bones thank you very much. Of course, I know that I will inevitably go skating. I will strap on a pair of seemingly micron thin blades and make a complete and utter berk of myself in front of my children and half the population of St. Albert. I also know that with perserverence, I may actually manage to stand up for longer than 5 seconds, or even travel in a straight line for a few yards. Maybe even with time I might turn a corner or stop without taking out a number of innocent bystanders. I promised that I would go after my exam and I promise that I will make every effort to enjoy it. My exam is on Monday. Oooh Err.
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Thursday, 1 January 2009
2009
We had a really good Christmas thank you for asking. Last year, our first in Canada, was a very subdued affair as we were still new to the country, we didn't know many people and quite frankly, it was too bloody cold to do anything. This year was somewhat different. To start with, we were in a house that we actually like, surrounded by people that we had actually met and we were suitably geared up to face the rigours of the Canadian winter. It started with an invitation to the neighbour's pre-Christmas party to which they had invited the whole close, followed by a Christmas day at home with some friends, Boxing day at the same friends and another drinks party with some neighbours over the road. We have never been so popular. When you add in my extended vacation and the variety of local events to attend, we could have been fully occupied every day. In fact it was only fatigue and the sub-sub-zero temperatures that prevented us from doing so.
So now to 2009. Plans to be made, experiences to be had and our adventure in Alberta continues. First on the list is the basement. Yes, our big project for the new year is to kit out the 'third floor' of the house. We have been lucky to befriend a self-employed master carpenter who has priced up our desired layout and work is scheduled to commence in late February. If all goes according to plan, we should be able to move in by July and I will be happily ensconced in my new home theatre, drinking a beer from my built in bar whilst my wife relaxes in our library after a bit of a work out in the gym. No doubt, I will bore you all senseless with progress reports and pictures, so I warn you now. We have my mum and some friends coming over to stay in the summer and I shall hopefully attain my professional registration sometime in the first half of the year. Of course the biggest challenge is currently underway - potty training Eleanor. At the moment, little progress is being made and whilst I shall not deluge you all with unpleasant mental pictures, suffice it to say we may need to renew the carpets in the family room sooner, rather than later.
Of course, the new year is often a time for reflection as well as to looking forward and I'm no different. I have resolutions that I am determined to follow through. I'll not list them here, but if I actually do keep them, I'll let you know as it happens. My main area of contemplation over the last few days has been a mental list of the positive and negative aspects of our emigration experience. There is much that is good about our decision to come here, the people, the way of life, cost of living, the Rockies and there are some not so good; television and the lack of a decent Sunday paper, decent beer, the freezing temperatures, but the negatives are trivial things whereas the positive are fundamental and life affirming (although the beer is not that trivial). There is a feeling of internal contentment that I had lost in the UK, a mental state that precludes stress and the annoying minutiae of living a life. I feel confident that things, barring disasters, will improve even more in 2009 and I look forward to the new year with confidence.
To start the year, I have decided to start a new blog to replace this one. I feel that we have moved away from the pure emigration aspect of life and have moved into a new mode, that of living and experiencing Canada in general and Alberta in particular. I do not know what it will be called, or when I will start it but it will continue to be about our lives here, the trivial and important, the notes and jottings of one family's life in this huge, diverse and fascinating country. I hope you will follow it, I'll try to make it funny and interesting and to use it informatively for those of you wanting to follow our progess.
In the meantime - HAPPY NEW YEAR!
So now to 2009. Plans to be made, experiences to be had and our adventure in Alberta continues. First on the list is the basement. Yes, our big project for the new year is to kit out the 'third floor' of the house. We have been lucky to befriend a self-employed master carpenter who has priced up our desired layout and work is scheduled to commence in late February. If all goes according to plan, we should be able to move in by July and I will be happily ensconced in my new home theatre, drinking a beer from my built in bar whilst my wife relaxes in our library after a bit of a work out in the gym. No doubt, I will bore you all senseless with progress reports and pictures, so I warn you now. We have my mum and some friends coming over to stay in the summer and I shall hopefully attain my professional registration sometime in the first half of the year. Of course the biggest challenge is currently underway - potty training Eleanor. At the moment, little progress is being made and whilst I shall not deluge you all with unpleasant mental pictures, suffice it to say we may need to renew the carpets in the family room sooner, rather than later.
Of course, the new year is often a time for reflection as well as to looking forward and I'm no different. I have resolutions that I am determined to follow through. I'll not list them here, but if I actually do keep them, I'll let you know as it happens. My main area of contemplation over the last few days has been a mental list of the positive and negative aspects of our emigration experience. There is much that is good about our decision to come here, the people, the way of life, cost of living, the Rockies and there are some not so good; television and the lack of a decent Sunday paper, decent beer, the freezing temperatures, but the negatives are trivial things whereas the positive are fundamental and life affirming (although the beer is not that trivial). There is a feeling of internal contentment that I had lost in the UK, a mental state that precludes stress and the annoying minutiae of living a life. I feel confident that things, barring disasters, will improve even more in 2009 and I look forward to the new year with confidence.
To start the year, I have decided to start a new blog to replace this one. I feel that we have moved away from the pure emigration aspect of life and have moved into a new mode, that of living and experiencing Canada in general and Alberta in particular. I do not know what it will be called, or when I will start it but it will continue to be about our lives here, the trivial and important, the notes and jottings of one family's life in this huge, diverse and fascinating country. I hope you will follow it, I'll try to make it funny and interesting and to use it informatively for those of you wanting to follow our progess.
In the meantime - HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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