TRAVELS IN CANADA

Long time no see

2011-01-16T21:24:00.000-08:00

Hi, Sorry havent been in here for ages but we have had 2 new sea changes since Canada. One day will tell you all about them.

But I have just started a Fat 1/4 roundup for the queensland flood ladies. I am collecting fat quarters, pin, needles, thread, embroidery thread, etc etc etc.

I couldnt imagine loosing everything I owned. Patchwork and stitchery products wouldnt be the first thing I would buy but I would so miss my craft.

These things I know arnt essential but would be a very nice gift to give to ladies who have lost everything.

I will make them into a little gift pack and get them given out personaly through family and friends in the Queensland area.

Please leave a message or email me on beachhousetina@gmail.com if you can help.

Thankyou.

Tina

2010-05-09T17:56:00.000-07:00

oversize Load Gunnedah 8th May 2010

Hi we are back

2009-09-27T23:26:00.000-07:00

After many comments about the blog I have decided to continue with the life of the McIntosh's back in Australia.

We are now living in the Blue Mountains and love it so much up here.
We do so miss all the folk in Canada but needed to be back with the Kids and the grandkids. Grandkids are so much fun!!!

Kylie and "Selwyn were married in January and Josh and Jane were married in March, so we have been a little busy at the begining of the year.

Phil is doing 10 hour days at his work and 2 hours travel a day. I am now at home trying to do some sewing. i have finished lots of quilts and am now making Aprons to sell.

When I have a bit of time I will post some photos and give you more indepth news.

I have put a button to a fabulous new blog spot. Drop past and have a look, you wont be disapointed.

Lots of love Tina

Fun in snow at Watson Lake

2008-04-24T22:20:00.000-07:00

At Watson Lake in the Yukon while the Alaska highway was being constructed a homesick Marine nailed a sign of his hometown onto a post and this was followed by many more over the years, as you can see if you watch the video. (Click on the arrow in the middle of the screen then click on the arrow below the screen and wait for the video to load)

Phil and Tina

Encounters of the Alaskian Kind!!!!!

2008-04-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

A few photos of animanls we have seen over the past week.
Beavers are elusive as they are generally avtive it night but this gave quite a display for us as it swam up the river mid morning

This is the first lot of animals we saw on our trip to Alaska. Here are some young Caribou. They are of the elk family, notice the white on the chest of the animals. Some of the information we read says that the Caribou actually migrate and you can see several thousand travelling together. Thats what we will keep our eyes out for.
We were glad we saw these big guys in the day light. There were 40 or so grazing just beside the road. They really paid no attention to the cars going by. There wernt that many cars I suppose either. There are signs to watch for these guys in the night as they are so hard to see.
I think moose must go down as being the ugliest animals I have seen. They are much bigger than I thought. Three of them were grazing by the road, 2 were quite timid but this one stayed for some photos.
This mother was with her baby just as we were coming out of North Pole after visiting Santas house. She was on the main road and running in between the cars but as you can see quite close to the cars. They can be very dangerous but she seemed more anxious to get her young one of the road than agressive.

We have been in Fairbanks for 3 nights now. It has been an interesting town with lots of character in the form of old buildings, old gold mine and interesting places to just look through. We are on our way to Anchorage over the next few days. We fly out next Tuesday. Alaska is an amazing rugged place and it will be sad to have to leave such an amazing country. It does remind me of outback Australia a little as in the rustic accommodation, the "interesting" places to eat and the people with an interesting yarn. (that is Australian for yack, chin wag. (Just interpreting for our Canadian friends.) ha ha) A lot of things are closed including whole towns so that has been a challenge to find something open. What an amazing trip we have had so far.

Till next time See ya Later mate!!

Phil and Tina

Historic Curved Bridge Alaska Hwy (Historic Mile 21)

2008-04-20T21:38:00.000-07:00

Just north of Dawson Creek (mile 0) is this classic and unusual Timber Bridge, built in 1942-43 by civil contractors after the US Army engineers had carved the initial Pioneer Road for a supply line to Alaska for military Traffic.

It is constructed of 500,000 board feet (1180 cubic meters) of creosoted (a timber preservative) British Columbia Fir, and is the only original timber bridge still in use.
it is unusual in that it is curved, 9 degree's in its 534 feet (162 meters)
Although it is still in use, a new bridge was constructed in 1978 as load limit was 25 ton, heavier gross loads were increasing, and it was especially inconvenient for the expanding Oil and Gas industries.
in the photo below Tina is looking over the edge as I take the pic.

On the way to Alaska

2008-04-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

We past through the town of Grand Prairie, in Alberta (a couple of hours below Dawson Creek) and something seemed wrong with this Gigantic sundial, it took a few minutes as to what it was, it was facing the wrong direction (well it was for me, someone from the southern hemisphere that is)
The BIGGEST is alive and well over here as it is in Australia, just a few K's up the road from the BIG sundial is the town of Beaverlodge with the BIG Beaver.

This sign gave us a chuckle
BIG and I mean BIG piles of trees at Louisiana Pacific pulp and paper mill on the northern side of Dawson Creek
Nearby the pulp mill is this Grain Elevator as the Canadians call them, (Silo for Aussies), I have not been inside any over here but I guess it is of similar construction of the one at Fielders Flour Mill Tamworth (New South Wales Australia) where I worked in the late 70's early 80's. The silo in Tamworth was 4x2's (2x4's for the North Americans) on there flat, nailed on top of each other, and had 6 or 8 internal bins if my memory serves me correctly. This style of construction was replaced with steel or concrete in the 50's and 60's.

North to Alaska

2008-04-17T09:08:00.000-07:00

We are on our back to Oz, via Dawson Creek (B) Watson Lake (C) Whitehorse (D) where we are at the moment, and we are planning to go to Fairbanks (E) and then onto Anchorage (F) a few deviations along the way are anticipated if road conditions allow. The traveling conditions have been great so far with beautiful weather and good roads, though we were pleased we were in Whitehorse as the weather changed from cool overcast to heavy snow in about 15 minutes last night as we were looking for accommodation. This morning it is a lovely clear sky and about -11 with a wind chill to about -17,and we hope the roads are clear to continue to Alaska (our $750 Chev Corsica is going great so far)

After travelling about 600km to Dawson Creek we finally start on the Alaska Highway. It is signposted every 1 mile and we have a travel book that gives us a mile by mile description. e.g. dumpster on the northbound side at milepost 127.

Actually it is very informative and we would have missed a lot of history if we wernt reading the book. Phils description of heavy snow to me (and the locals) was classed as a blizzard.

As you can see this photo is the rocky mountains again. I suggest you lay on your bed, or the floor to get the best vantage point. Note the car down the bottom. Phil climbed up this mountains to get some overall views of the mountains. I had to sit and mind the car!!!! We travelled most of the last two days through the Rockies. Just unbelievable scenery.

We are going through towns of only a few to a couple of hundred people. Who knows where we will be tonight so am unsure of an Internet connection. Hopefully we will put a daily or two daily update for you. Note: It is spring -11 with a wind chill of -17.

See ya Phil and Tina

Some More Ice Road Photos

2008-04-01T12:37:00.000-07:00

Hi from Canada again,

After all the enquires about the ice roads I thought I would post some more Photos. We were amazed at the response Macca had on the radio show after Phil had spoken to him. Folk have been interested in our adventures in Canada and it has been fun doing the blogs.
The first photo is of the ice roads. Phil could give you thickness of the ice and tell you facts etc but I just think "You must be crazy to drive on that slippery ice." He did enjoy the driving and the opportunity to do something he has never done before. Anything with an element of risk is what he enjoys, ( thats why he married me. ha ha)

I can tell you some facts about the above photo. This guys is digging a hole to see how deep the ice is. If the ice is too thin they put a large hose into the hole and pump up the water to flood the ice. As you have gathered by the photo it is somewhat cold, so the water freezes and creates a thinker layer. Hope that is right if not Phil could help you out with the details.
I just thought this was an awesome photo of a sunset. Phil saw the Northern Lights also while he was up there on the ice. He couldn't get any photos though as you cant stop on the ice and also still sorting out the new camera to get the best effects.
What a great photo of an inukshuk. These are usually found beside rivers or in rocky places made by kids or tourists etc. The inuit folk used to bury fresh meat etc under these for the next folk who came along. One arm is always longer to point the direction in which the first folk set out. It is one of the symbols of the 2010 Olympic games in Vancouver. It is a great symbol of friendship and community spirit I feel. I wonder who built this one on the ice roads or was it a rock one made at another time and has just been covered in snow now.???
This last photo shows a lump of ice that has come up through the ice road. The water underneath is still moving and the ice does move as well. Also a good photo of Phils glasses and Toque.
On the 14th April Phil and I are going on a road trip to Alaska. Which will be interesting in our old car. After our 2 weeks holiday we then will be flying home arriving in Perth on the 1st May.
So sorry Cedar we don't get to see you this trip. We did try to get down to you guys, would have been fun. Maybe you might have a reason to be in Oz later on in the year????

We are spending some time with Kylie and Selwyn (poor Selwyn is being introduced to all the McIntosh boys next week all in one go!!! Then the week after he will meet us for the first time.)

We are then going to the central coast to await the arrival of our 2nd Grandson who is due the end of May. Phil and I will be looking for work and somewhere to live. It will be nice to be "home" but that comes with a sadness to leave our friends here. I have already had a few tears at leaving them. Maybe there lives will go back to being "Normal" when we aren't around to entertain, help, answer questions, teach a whole new language to and just love us.
Well next time we write we will be in Alaska. We are busy packing and spending time with our friends between now and then
Love to you all
Phil and Tina

Oh yet another trip to the Rockies

2008-03-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

Hi To all our friends in Blog land!!! Well as indicated another trip to the Rockies last week. Gai and I had a lovely time and there was lots of snow and quite warm, well at least it got to 5 degrees.
I have cheated a bit in the pictures as the above photo was taken when we visited the Fairmont Hotel in Banff in January. I just love the mirror image of the mountains in Josh's Canadian beer. It was quite flat I imagine by the time he got to drink it. There are some better ones but they are all on there sides and I am still working out how to turn them.

This photo Gai took looking out over the Fairmont's balcony. It was really cold that day so this is the only outside photo that she managed to take of the mountains. It is the actually mountain in the drink above. What a beautiful season Winter is in the mountains.
This is a photo of the house we are staying in. Most of the snow has melted but there is a bit still hanging on. Last Friday when we were coming home we had a bit of a snow storm, which wasnt much fun to drive in. While Gai took photos and thought it was great fun I expressed my fear of driving in a blizzard. She called me a "woos" and told me to get over it, mind you she was a lot quieter when cars started spinning of the road and sliding when we got near the traffic lights. Oh the joys of winter. We got about 6 inches of snow over night I think and the path was covered once more with snow.
The last two photos are of Lake Louise. Gai took the top one last week. The other one was taken in September last year. What a difference from Autum to winter. People were skating on the lake and cross country skiing. There had been ten or more ice sculptures at lake louise when Clayton and I were there 3 weeks ago but because it was soooooo hot they had melted.
What an amazing country Canada is. Lots of new experiences each day. A whole new language to learn, ha ha. We havent picked up a Canadian accent yet but our friends have learnt a great deal of Australian. Chook seems to be one of the favourites which they still pronounce as "chalk". I will miss the amazing friends we have made here but hopefully we will be able to give them a tour of our own beautiful country some day.

Phil is on his last trip to the ice roads. He has enjoyed the experience a lot and has had the opportunity to see the Northern lights most times. How amazing is that. I will just have to look at pictures I guess. I am not allowed to go with him on the ice roads so have missed this adventure.

Well my friend, hopefully some of you are still popping in now and again. Sorry for taking so long but Tour guides dont have much time.

Hooroo

Tina

North on the Ice roads

2008-02-28T11:43:00.000-08:00

Well I have done 2 trips on the ice so far, and it is interesting to say the least, before I start on the ice roads info I think I need to give you an understanding of how far north it is to Diavic Diamond mine.

To give all in Oz a point of reference I will use Hobart Tasmania.

Hobart is on the 42 latitude south, The equivalent latitude north passes through Pocetello in Idaho (due south of here) and Chicago on the Great Lakes.

If you were to travel 840klm (road distance) south of Hobart you would be on the 49th latitude, this is the same latitude as the Canada US border.

Another 620 klm south and you are on the 53rd latitude, the same latitude as Edmonton. (Macquarie Island is on the 54th latitude)

Another 1500klm south and you are on the 62nd latitude, the same latitude as Yellowknife.

Another 450 klm south and you are on the 64th latitude this is the same latitude as Diavic Diamond Mine. Approx 250 klm from the Arctic Circle.(Casey research station in the Antarctic is on the 66th latitude)

Or in land drive distances, If you were to drive the distance from Hobart to Townsville, south of Hobart, you will be as far south as Diavic is North.

The distance from Edmonton to Diavic is the same as from Peak Hill (south of Dubbo) to Townsville.

These trucks are actually parked on a small lake, it is only shallow and solid ice so is safe to park on till spring thaw.

A crack in the ice, there are a lot of these but they are not a safety issue

Moon over Lockhart lake as seen from the Lockhart Lake Camp

This is what it looks like from the cab, quite repetitive after a few hours as the loaded travel speed at 25klm/hour on most lakes, but does increase to 30Klm/hour on the more northern lakes. Travel speeds when empty are increased by 10 k /hour, and on designated express lanes for empty trucks 60klm/hour is allowed.

The weather was quite kind for the first trip according to the locals, only down to -37 but not much wind. I spun out (lost traction) on a portage, and had to put the chains on, it is surprising how adrenaline can make you oblivious to the cold, I had 8-12 trucks waiting for me to get mobile so we could all continue, ( no one could pass me where i spun out) in the rush to fit them i removed my gloves to do up the links, and I can tell you chains at -37 degrees and warm hands do not mix, Fortunately the was no moisture and my hands did not freeze to the chain links, and am I appreciative of that.

Though I did have a Dumb and Dumber moment the other day, it was in the -35 to -40 range and I unlocked the truck door with the key, i had a cup of coffee in the other hand, and instinctively put the key into my mouth so I could open the door with my free hand, the key at -35 immediately froze to my tongue and lip, luckily a key is small and the heat of my mouth warmed the key in a few seconds and i was able to free it without loosing any skin.

About the Ice Roads

2008-02-28T10:50:00.001-08:00

This is a map of the location if the Ice Roads in the North west Territory, Canada. from Yellowknife to the Diavic mine is about 450 Klm and takes approx 15 hours to travel over the frozen lakes and portages (land outcrops), the longest lake is about 100klm 0f ice to drive over at a speed not exceeding 30 klm/hour, 3 hours non stop.
To leave Yellowknife we travel in groups of 2 to 4 trucks for safety, and we must travel as a convey, to the next checkpoint. Convoy dispatch times are 20 minutes apart. the first 70 Klm is along the Ingram trail, a narrow windy section of formed road, (speed limit 70klm/hour), the leader of the convoy has to call the direction of the convoy (on 2 way VHF radio) the number of trucks and the Klm marker he is passing, this allows others traveling on the road who is on the road, (you hear comments like 4 north at the 25k marker 1st 2 12 wide) if you are traveling

south and are at the 27k marker you know you are about to pass 4 trucks and the first 2 are 12 foot (3.6 meters) wide. Overtaking is not allowed and each unit must space themselves 1 klm apart.
At the end of the Ingram trail the Ice Roads begin, there is a check in point called the Meadows, where the leader of the convoy calls security and reports the number of trucks, our direction(north or south) and the individual road user number of each truck, When all units have arrived and done a series of load and safety checks, clearance to proceed is requested and given if the previous convoy is far enough ahead. The Next check point is Lockhart camp about 150 klm over the lakes, expected time if travel goes well is about 8 hours. The speed limit and distance is decreased the max speed 25 klm at a minimum distance of 500 meters, no overtaking allowed. If someone has to stop for any reason you must call you have stopped and why, all traffic traveling the direction the stopped unit is traveling must stop when you are 500 meters behind the unit ahead. Security is monitoring the radio and come as soon as they here a call to oversee the situation, and get the traffic flowing as soon as possible.
There is no stopping on the ice except in emergencies, non emergency stops if required are allowed on portages with sufficient space to park safely.
Speed onto and off the ice is lowered to 10 klm/hour as the ice can be damaged if hit too fast.

There is a formula to determine the load capacity of the ice is 4 times the thickness squared, so if the ice is 5cm thick (5 X 5 = 25, 4 X 25 = 100) therefore the load carrying capacity is 100 kg, you can see on the chart above the load capacity for the thickness. The load capacity at the moment is 63000kg so the ice must be 125cm thick.

The cold is interesting, it is not as cold as I thought it would be, the locals tell me this is because the humidity is so low, the humidity affects the cold in a similar way like humidity increases the stress of heat, the higher the humidity the colder it feels.
When there is no wind , it is not too hard to keep warm if you wear enough layers, though, the wind is the hard element to take, it just increases the heat loss so much quicker, the charts beside and below allow you to see the difference in how the wind changes how cold it feels.

For more info try this sight A field guide to ice construction safety

http://www.dot.gov.nt.ca/_live/documents/documentManagerUpload/Ice%20Construction%20Field%20Guide%20web.pdf

Just some more amazing photos!!

2008-02-21T16:36:00.001-08:00

Wanted to show you some more photos of our week away but Clay has over 700 photo so these were just a few in the first 100 or so. The top photo is taken at Meligne Canyon at the beginning or ice walk. The bottom photo is also on the ice walk. We walked on a frozen river at the botton of the canyon. It was just amazing!
This is just a beautiful photo of somekind of bird. It is warming up here so the animals are coming out. This was taken at the top of the gondular in Banff.
Just to show you how big some pf the rockies are. Can you spot the 2 sets of ice climbers?? This is on the road between Banff and Jasper. The side of the mountain is called the weeping wall and it just weeps in summer but as you can see its not weeping now. We were amazed to see these guys climb so far up. Not for me Im afraid.
This is about as brave as I get walking on the ice. you could feel it moving under your feet in some places. Clay went through the ice in a few spots. The scenery was just beyond explaining. No photos can do it justice.

Tina

Yes Believe it or not Im back!!!

2008-02-19T19:11:00.000-08:00

Hi all, Well finally I have done another entry into the blog. I have been so busy being a tourist guide and entertaining our family that I havent had much time. I have so many photos to show you all but find it hard to pick. Clayton allown took 700 photos while we were in the rockies this week and they havent been uploaded yet.
I hear Oz is green, wet and rather cold for summer, it will be lovely to see all the paddocks green and the grass for the cattle coming into winter.
I decided to put a few "texture" photos in, sort of. the first photo is of the snow on the outside of the window. Even my snowmen and bear were cold. The photo below is of ice crystal on the window. Windows have a double pane to keep the cold out. I thought this looks like winter wonderland.

Snowflakes are hard to picture and are so beautiful so below is an attempt to show different shapes. I would love to do a photo study of snowlakes. Perhaps draw my own snowflake quilt. I thought each flake was a different shape but Clay "burst my snowflake" by telling me this isnt true, so I will have to do my own investigations.
This is a photo Kylie took of a frozen waterfall whilst she was travelling with Phil in the truck. It is hard to imagine that waterfalls freeze but they do. Many of the lakes and waterfalls are frozen at the moment. Clay and I went on a ice walk into a canyon which is just a frozen river. It was just magical but you will have to wait for photos of that when we get them down loaded.

Most of you know that Phil is travelling the ice roads at the moment. He drives up to Yellowknife and then travels on the frozen lakes, several hundred Kilometres north. He will be doing this for about 6 more weeks. Some of you may have heard him speaking on Macca last Sunday morning. It will be interesting to see his photo if the camera hasnt frozen. it is about -30 ish up where he goes which is good as it keeps the lakes frozen.

All but Clay have returned to Oz. He will be leaving on Monday just a couple of hours after Gai arrives. What a fun month we are going to have. I will have to do the tourist guide thing and also convince her that -4 really isnt that cold. So looking forward to that.

Tim, Kate and Elijah have settled back to normal????!!!! Elijah gets excited when he sees the photos as if he remembers being here. I miss them so much, Elijah was so much fun to have and so good. Tim is still teaching and Kate is being a fantastic Mum, not long now till number 2 arrives.

Josh started uni this week and has move to a new house. He is having centrlink hassels but hopefully we can resove that this week. Jane started uni today and is enjoying the warm back home. It was so much fun to have them around, I miss them so much, I just got used to them being here and hoped they would stay longer. So many things we didnt do in the three months they were here.

Kylie has moved to Perth and is still looking for accommadation and a job, but I'm sure she will settle soon. Selwyn is back to work and both of them will attend a wedding in April in New Zealand. Little did I know that when Kylie went to Spain nearly 10 years ago that she will never stop travelling.

Clays contract finished mid January so he has moved from Tassy and planning to go back to Brisbane. He is looking for a animation job and will actually go anywhere for the right Job. Watch out for "Pixel Pinky" later in the year.

I have been finding the "cabin fever" quite difficult, which has made me annoyed because I feel that getting down is a waste of time. The week in the mountains was helpful and hopefully having Gai around will help me "thaw" (sorry that was so bad) out of it. Well until next time, which will be much sooner, Enjoy the warmth and dont forget to smell the roses.

Love Tina

Touring in the Rocky Mountains again.

2008-01-24T18:20:00.000-08:00

Hi all in the land down under. I believe you are having a very mild summer, we also are having a fairly mild winter, not to much snow, yet! We are in the Rockies with Tim, Kate Elijah, Josh and Jane. As you can see in the above photo there is plenty of snow here. This is actually a photo of Simpson Lake near the town of Banff. Every turn is a photo opportunity and a quite hard to describe. Photos don't do the magnificent scenery justice. The guys and Jane have got a fair bit of skiing in over the past week. The skied at the Famous Lake Louis ski resort and I think that was a high light for them. No injuries and lots of new skills learnt. Josh has been snowboarding and has mastered it quite well. Jim, Crystal, Erin and Carly joined us for the weekend which was lovely. Pity they had to go home and back to work and school.
This photo is taken in the Fairmont Hotel in Banff. I think this hotel is on every tourist brochure advertising Canada. How cute is Elijah. He has been so good it is really unbelievable. He is happy all the time and happy to go to anyone. He didn't like the snow at first but today he had a little play on his own in the snow. Maybe he did this because Phil and I wanted him to keep walking.
Yes you read this right. This was on the way to drop the guys of skiing in Lake Louise. Cold isn't a word to describe -30. It was a clear, sunny day and the skiing was fantastic, though.
While skiing was happening Kate, Elijah and Myself went shopping in Banff and had lunch at the spaghetti factory. Elijah was just a delight as the photo shows. I am going to miss them so much. We have had a great holiday and will never forget the beautiful mountains, frozen lakes and amazing picture opportunities we have enjoyed.

The girls also managed a trip to the Patchwork shop in Canmore. Didn't we have fun and I think they will have to restock the shop after we had been there. The shop is call the Sugar Pine Company in Canmore, take a look as it has some beautiful fabrics. We even got Jane interested and she brought some beautiful things.

Tim, Kate and Elijah go home on Monday and Clayton arrives on Thursday, I suppose I have to take him to the mountains as well. Its such a hard job!!!!
Well till next time, enjoy the warmth in Oz.

Lots of love Tina

Winter is so much fun

2008-01-16T20:13:00.000-08:00

Elijah and Grandad (Phil) checking out the truck. What a great photo, not real clear but the moment was certainly grasped in the photo. This photo was ment to be last but Im still trying to sort out this blogging. So forgive me. The blog actually starts after the ice fishing photo. Ha ha

Hi to all in the land down under! I hear it is hot and that there has been a bit of rain in varies places. Fantastic!!!!

Tim, Kate and Elijah arrived the day that Kylie left. There were lots of tears at the airport that day. I am so loving having the kids visit, Clayton is coming on the 1st of February, how fantastic is that. I am already wondering how I am going to say goodbye to Elijah. He is so gorgous and so happy. Kate and Tim are having their 2nd baby in June. How exciting.

We went ice fishing last weekend. It was a perfectly beautiful day. Around -8. The above photo is of Tim drilling a hole in the ice and the black tent thingys is what you sit on top of the hole to see the fish swimming below, you sit in them to fish. Egg shells are put in the hole and as they sink you can see how deep the water is. The photo below is of the actual hole, as you can see the ice is around 12 inches thick. We were walking on a huge lake where we also went snowmobiling. Tim was so excited he got to drive a pick up truck on the lake.

What a beautiful photo of Jane with a fish she had caught. How exciting!!! No she didnt keeep it not quite big enough!! Jim also caught one, and has a "one that got away" story.

The boys and Jim's toy. Tim, Josh, Phil and Jim, next to the pick up Tim drove on the ice. What an adventure for everyone. The girls went home early to put Elijah to bed. He doesnt like the snow too much. It is like one big white beach to him and he doesnt like having to put on the snow gear.
Josh and Tim went skiing and snowboarding yesterday to keep there hand, or legs in for the ski trip to the rockies. Yes once again I have to sacrifice a week of my time in the Rockies, sigh. We are going to Banff for a week. Crystal, Jim, Erin and Carly are coming with us for the weekend. Which will be a lot of fun. Then we will stay on till the end of the week. We are all excited to have a week together in such a beautiful place. Phil has taken a week off as well. I am certainly taking time to smell the roses and am thankful for the days we can have together in such a magnificent place. God is so Good.

Well till next time. Enjoy the warmth and remember to smell the roses!!!

Im sorry to most of you that I have sent you Christmas cards and to some gifts, but it appears nothing has arrived in Australia yet. I sent some in early October but they havent even arrived. So hopefully you will get them before next Christmas. ha ha

Lots of love Tina

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T09:30:00.001-08:00

Hi all in the Very Warm Land down under. Hope you enjoyed the Holiday break we were thinking of you as you greeted the New Year 18 hours earlier than we did. No we didnt stay up, we were too tired after our trip to Jasper.

The above photo is of Josh and Jim, yes we had a Barby in the snow. Delicous steak and salads, so we wouldnt get home sick. Josh even managed to share a beer with Jim, no ice cubes needed.
(okay guys I know you dont put ice cubes in beer but it justs adds to the story) After supper and a quick round of cards we headed off ice skating on the pond in the night time. Off course I didnt skate, someone had to mind the handbags. Everyone was quite good on the skates except poor "old" Phil, who hasnt skated for at least 15 years. Phil is the one on the ice it is called "bum skating" a new craze that he started. ha ha Actually he did fantastic and there was something special about skating in natural surroundings. It had snowed so that made it even more perfect.

Okay, this one is of the Kylie, Jane and Phil on there way up to a higher skiing hill. Note the amazing rockies in the background. Josh missed this ride. I warned them not to put their toungues on the metal poles. ( Tim we did remember that stupid movie). This is the ski hill at Jasper called Marmot.
Too many heads together doesnt make light work!!! They are trying to take a photo of a snow flake. Some of the flakes are as big as 10cent peices or bigger. They are standing on a frozen lake called Patrica Lake. I have photos of the lake on earlier blogs. It is so incredible to think this was a large lake and now people cross country ski and ice skate on it now. You can see the snow falling in this photo.
This is Athabasca falls. Well it is actually Athabasca frozen. Sorry bad joke. It was the most beatiful site I have seen. (well since the last one anyway). There is still a little water coming over the falls but the rest is frozen. It is almost unbelievable to think that a waterfall can freeze up so much. There are lots of stalagtites of ice, making a winter wonderland.
It is back to work for Phil this week after having 9 or so days off. Kylie has gone with him to experience the Truckie world. They are headed to Vancouver which is a breathtaking drive on the other side of the rockies. They will enjoy having this time together.

Josh and Jane are back to work this week. Tim, Kate and Elijah arrive on the 10th Jan. just half and hour after Kylie flies out. Really bad timing, but Edmonton airport doesnt give too many choices for available flights to the USA.

Have a great week and I look forward to sharing the hundreds of photos already taken just over the weekend.

See ya Tina

A Canadian Christmas

2007-12-27T07:04:00.000-08:00

The Canadian Esky!!!!!
These are our dear friends Willie and Andy where we had coffee (imagine the Canadian accent) after Church on Christmas morning. What a beautiful photo. Kylie was feeling rather jet lagged at this point but we had a beautiful morning together.
At supper time we went to another beautiful family Bert and Hendrica. They provided us with a beautiful traditional supper which we shared with some of there family. Dave and Leanne have 5 children and it was such a pleasure to enjoy all there company and the children were just beautiful. What a lovely time we had. I made "traditional" pavlova which none of them had ever had, and ice cream, which we stored in the garage till it was time to eat. Bert had stored the turkey in the garage until it was time to thaw, how funny is that.

This is Kylie and Josh Christmas morning outside our Church, they had a beautiful ice sculpture done of baby Jesus in His manger and the Star of bethlehem, which is sort of in the background.

We had a lovely day together and were thrilled to share it with such beautiful people. Boxing day was spent in the Mall which was so busy it was hard to move.

Today we are having another Christmas night with Jim and Crystal, Erin and Carly. We are going ice skating on one of the outside dams then having supper together. Jane is working today but Josh is off. He brought himself a snow board and is keen to try it out. We are off to the Rocky mountains tomorrow for a few days before Phil has to go back to work. Oh no not the tour guide bit again!!! Guess I will have to suffer. It is snowing outside just a little as I write, how beautiful.

Enjoy the rest of the Christmas holidays and remember to take time to smell the roses.

Lots of love Tina

Thinking of you as you celebrate the birth of our Savour

2007-12-19T05:13:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would throw in some more photos of the freezing Edmonton, while the Land Down Under is hot and wet, so we believe.
We went tobogganing for the first time on Sunday. We firstly had lunch and a game of cards with Jim, Crystal, Erin and Carly, then all of us ventured onto the slopes. Yes even I had several turns, but the hills seem much bigger here/or is it that I am getting older?
Josh and Jane also had some newly acquired friends come along so 11 of us enjoyed out doing each other, or getting as many to go down together as possible, races. Im sure weight has one advantage at this point because I reacon I go faster, or that is my story and Im sticking to it.

This photo is of Phil and Jim admiring the beautiful city of Edmonton. Phil went down the hill a few times head first and ended up with icicles hanging from his mo. Jim was the photographer and took some great shot of our adventures. I just have to learn now how to get them of the CD onto the blog page.
This is the city of Edmonton. For a city of nearly a million people there are not many high rise buildings. There are tunnels underground which you can walk to many places without getting out into the snow and that is fantastic as the weather gets down in the -20s during winter.

The Church we are attending puts on a nativity display for 3 nights this week. They display over 400 different scenes, and have different kinds of Christmas music ( choirs, pipe organ, recitals etc etc) playing. They offer free hot drinks and open the church up to the people of Edmonton. Folk from the Church welcome people in and are on hand to talk with the visitors. Thousands of people come to see the display each year. There is a street connected called "Candy Cane Lane" which has the biggest display of Christmas lights so people can park in the church car park and walk, then come in to see the display. Over the past years it has been a great outreach to families in Edmonton. Last year out of the 400 displayed there was only 1 with baby Jesus on his stomach. Interesting!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a great time with your families over the Holiday break. Take time to reflect on the Birth of Jesus and what He has done for us. Whilst opening presents and enjoying Christmas treats remember the greatest gift to us and remind each other and our children of the real reason for this Celebration.

Love to you all Phil and Tina

Walking in a Winter Wonderland!!!

2007-12-08T08:02:00.000-08:00

Hi to "ye who is much warmer than thou". As you can see our -20 somethings have stayed most of the week. It is -22 this morning. Last night we went walking down town to the provincial building, which is a beautiful, old building where the city has put an amazing display of lights and ice sculputers. They also have choirs singing in the building for the next few weeks leading up to Christmas with free hot chocolate, with refills. The ice sculptures are just out the front and just amazing. I will have to learn ,when Phil gets home how to use the camera at night.
In Edmonton they have sleigh rides through out the city you can even take a sleigh ride to look at the street lights in different neighbour hoods. It is quite strange to be walking in the snow at Christmas time.

Josh is just sampling something "on the rocks". Josh and Jane both got work the first shops they walked into. Jane has been working in a costume jewelery/assessories shop since Wednesday. Josh starts work today in a Sports store selling skies, snow boards etc. Both are very happy and have easily ajusted to the jet lag.
We have Erin-May visiting till Tuesday, from Australia. She got stuck in Banff for a few days with a snow storm but has managed finally to get to us. What a great photo! The family who invited us to share the evening with them brought a snow mobile thingy???? yesterday, so that has created a fair bit of excitement in our household. We may get a go in the next few days before Erin-May goes. Phil will be home tonight (saturday) so that will also be fun to enjoy this beautiful weather with him.

I have finally finished all my Christmas sewing and card writing and now have to concentrate on packing, as we move next weekend. That also will be a first, moving in the snow. Once you get rugged up like the abominable snow man its not too bad out.

Have a great week, "and take time to smell the roses", maybe I need to change that to "take time to throw a snowball!"

Lots of love Tina

The kids have arrived just in time for Winter

2007-12-05T08:14:00.000-08:00

Hi to all in the warm part of the world. Also I believe some have had some lovely rain, awesome!!!
Josh and Jane arrived from Australia on Sunday morning (2.30am) it was around -20. We were so excited to see them. The Christmas tree and moose was a display at the airport. It does seem strange to be going into Christmas with a couple of inches of snow on the ground. They had a good but long trip but seem to have managed the jet lag well. As for the weather we are all still getting used to it. (is that possible)

This photo was taken after a walk to the mall. They look kind of strange with all the layers on but they look no dofferent to anyone else. After Church on Sunday we went to some friends place for lunch and they gave us a heap of winter coats, which is fantastic. It really isnt bad in the snow if you are dress right. Im going to buy a set of long johns today because you legs get so cold below the coat line. We are expecting Erin-May from Newcastle (a friend of Kylies from Uni )she is stuck in Banff because they got a foot and a half of snow and need to clear the highway from banff to Jasper.

Our little flat is feeling the effect of have lot of people, moreso all the coats, scarves, touques and gloves everywhere. We are moving in 10 days or so to a house someone at Church has rented out to us. So that will be fantastic. It is about 20 mins from the Mall but will but much better with all the family coming. So if anyone is sending a letter or a pressy let me know so I can give you our new address. Letters are taking a little of 2 weeks to reach us now.

Josh and Jane both got jobs yesterday. Both of them got an interview straight away and got the job on the spot. So they will be busy before Christmas. They will be doing at least 40 hours before Christmas but they are flexable after Christmas to give them time for some tourist things. How exciting is that for them. The Mall alone is looking for 500 people to work there. There is such a job shortage.

I am managing the icy, snowy roads quite well. I was really nervous about it but by everyones standards I have done good!!! Phil has had a few slides in the truck and has seen a few accidents on his travels. He may be going over the rockies later on today so that might be a little more challenging. He has seen lots more snow than us and has had to drive in a lot worse than me.

We are all well and just trying to finish Christmas gifts and post them all. I made Jane a Canadian flannel quilt which I will get some photos off. I was pleased with it but it is so difficult to stitch things without all my proper "stuff".

Have a great week, remember in this busy Christmas season to "take time to smell the roses".,and remember the Lords birth and all that means to us.

Tina

Another adventure

2007-11-26T17:54:00.000-08:00

These are just some random photos of our travels. Phil has made an inukshuk. These are scattered over all the tourist spots and can be brought in all shapes and sizes. It is to be the symbol of the Olympic games in Vancouver in 2010. It used to be a place where the Inuk people buried fresh meat in the snow to share with other travellers. It also pointed the way in which the travellers had gone. Now it represents friendship and helping each other. I am quite taken with them and we will buy one as a memory of our time in Canada. The photo was taken in october at the Athabasca falls. Which now would be covered in snow and possibly the water would be frozen over. This is a photo of the Columbian Ice fields. They had a small avalache and we just caught the after spray (if thats what you call it). We heard it before we saw it. Quite amazing. We should have a camera which you dont have to turn on and just knows when to be ready to take the right photos. Note also the amazing blue sky.
This was taken in the same week. Mark and Linda are behind the snowman with us. We brought a book about the history of snowmen. (snowpersons I suppose now) which is so interesting. This one was made by the staff at Meligne Lake. When we got there there was no one around, usually it is quite a busy tourist spot with cruises and walks. They shut the roads to Meligne lake when they get too much snow because of the narrow roads and I guess there are to many roads that need maintaining (snow ploughing and sanding) during winter that they only do the main ones. Some of the roads actually became cross country skiing paths, so you see road signs that are only for the skiers which is quite funny.

With the weather dropping to -19 today with a wind chill of -25 I now know why people wernt keen for winter to come. It snowed overnight and is snowing at the moment but not very heavy. It will be interesting for Josh and Jane, who arrive on Sunday morning (1.30am), to be in such cold weather. I think the excitement of the snow will outweigh the cold. (maybe) Starting from Sunday we will have all our kids over the Christmas holidays, yeh. Clayton is coming in February for a month and Gai is coming for a month at the end of February. So we will be busy, which will be fun. It will be so nice to get some snow photos and for Little Elijah to have some fun in the snow. He turned one last week. Time has flown. I miss the kids so much!!!!

Well have a great warm week and will update more snow photos soon.Mind you the camera gets so cold sometimes it refuses to work. Interesting!!

Tina

Winter is almost here!

2007-11-14T07:50:00.001-08:00

Well another couple of weeks spend in the Rockies. How exciting. It has started snowing on the mountains and while Edmonton has had a few falls of snow it hasnt layed yet. It did snow a little on my birthday and that was exciting for me. Phil and I spend a few days in Banff with Gary and Merrie. There was a fair bit of snow around making driving a little hairy at times. The most amazing days were when we went up to Sulphur Mountain by Gondular and got the most beautiful clear skies and a 360 degrees view of the rocky mountains. Another amazing day was the hike up Johnson Canyon. I have been there a few times but this time some of the water falls and pools were starting to freeze. I know where they get the saying "Winter Wonderland" from.

This is a photo of a male Elk. They have amazing antlers which drop of each year. You see a lot of these guys and they are quite used to tourists stopping for photos. They can be quite aggressive and we are advised not to go to close to them. Notice the beautiful snow peaks in the back ground.
This is an office for the Johnson Canyon walk. It is a log cabin and just doesnt look out of place nestled in the mountains. In winter they have ice walks in Johnson Canyon where you actually climb up the frozen water falls and walk on the frozen creeks. Hopefully we will get to do that when the kids come over.
What a beautiful picture of this little deer. This photo really sums up the peacefullness of a snow fall in a Canadian forest. This photo was taken near Maligne Lake, near Jasper.
I just love this photo of the snow on the mountains, on a beautiful sunny day with a new sprinkling of snow on the mountains. In a week or so the stream will be frozen and all we will see is white. Canadians say that offen when it has snowed you get the most beautiful sunny days even though it may be below zero, around -20 it is still amazing.

Well a little over 2 weeks till Josh and Jane come to visit. Then kylie arrives on Christmas Eve, Tim, Kate and Elijah in January and Clayton in February. I am so looking forward to seeing them all. Gai ( from Tamworth) is coing for a month at the end of February. Yeha I carnt wait. I will be so busy I wont have time to get homesick. Our little 1 bedroomed apartment will feel the effects of being overloaded. But it will be worth it.
Christmas has come to Edmonton Mall and it looks brilliant. I was starting to wonder if Halloween would ever finish. Lots of stitching needed to be done and card to be made and sent, so hopefully I am going to be busy for a while.
Have a great week, and Dont forget to take time to smell the roses.

Tina

More new Photos Sorry!!!!!!!!

2007-11-01T19:14:00.000-07:00

Wow what a day!! The rivers and lakes are starting to freeze as you can see in these photos. Someone said that running rivers and streams never freeze, well here is the evidence. It is so amazing to see how it changes even daily. It snowed overnight and at some points in our adventurous day it was -4 degrees.

The photo below is of a raven. We saw several of them today trying to get the tourists to feed them. I wonder if the cold weather makes them a bit lethargic or something, because they seemed to appear at all the parking areas and came very close to us.
We have had a lovely few days in the mountains and the snow is just a beautiful bonus. Most of the day we travelled in snow and the trip to Lake Louis was all snowy. Lake Louis wasnt as majestic as it is when there is no snow around. We spent a bit of time looking at the shops in the Lake Louis Chatae which is quite beautiful in side. Nothing though compared to the Banff Fairmont Hotel which is more like an old castle.
Thinking of you all as the weather is warming up and the cold is setting in over here.

Tina

Where in the Rockies Again!!!!

2007-10-30T18:56:00.000-07:00

We are in the Rockies at Banff once again and woke up this morning and it had snowed. Awesome. This photo is of the Bow River, which has boat trips on it in the summer. Some of the rivers and dams are beginning to freeze over which is something I have never witnessed before. I wonder how long it will take before they are all frozen.
This is up on top of the World, well the banff gondolar anyway. Yes it was -9 degrees up there. It is the most amazing views I have ever seen. It takes 7 minutes to get up to the top which is higher than Mt kosiosco. We have been up there 4 times now and each time I am still overwhelmed by the beauty. God is so good.
Guess what these are? We are going back in the morning early to see if he is back there. I can bearly wait. There were a heap of these foot prints which we feel there were two bears, one baby and a mother.
This is of the lake where the bear prints were. While we were taking this photo we saw two beavers playing around in the lake. How special this was. They didnt mind that we were there and just continued to play. It was getting dark and they were a little way in so the photos didnt turn out too well. Words are very hard to explain every turn in the road in the Rockies. Each minute is new, each day and each season is so different it is hard to comprehend. Okay of to bed now so we can go bear, deer, beaver, elk, squirrel, coyote, and chipmunk hunting.

Have a great week.
Tina

Let it snow! Let it snow!

2007-10-24T16:18:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, How is the warm weather down under. As you can see I have been shopping for fabric. This is a gorgous flanel that I found. I'm planning to make something for Elijah with it but what I havent decided. I would hate to cut up this beautiful fabric. Maybe a pillowcase would be lovely. Elijah will be 1 next month, how time quickly that has gone. He is so gorgous and we miss him so much.
Another Fall photo with a beatiful lake behind it. Most of the leaves in Edmonton are gone now. It is looking quite dry and is cooling off. Today it was 20 degrees but has dropped to 7 this afternoon and they say it is the beginning of the cold. It is ment to be only 5 tomorrow. I am really looking forward to the snow but my friends are not. So I have comprimised and said I could wait for the snow till the kids get here in December. Somehow I dont think it will hold off that long. There is snow in the Rockies of course. With the snow comes me worrying about Phils driving in the conditions we are not used too.
I just loved this photo. These are washrooms/restrooms/bathrooms/toilets. What a place to need to go!!!!! Soon you wont be able to get up to this area as they close the road. These photos were taken at Mount Edith Cavall car park. This was the car ride where our pommy friend, Mark, informed me that it wouldnt snow!!! Not that I would ever bring that up again. Especially after the soccor (I think that was what it was) England verses Australia.

Well in the next few months there will be many more beautiful snow photos for us to share. This week we are being visited by Merrie and Gary Bott in Edmonton and then we will be spending a week in Banff at a resort there. It has been forcast to snow there next week, so that will be nice. I hope they brought there warm clothes, except Merrie asked me to bring my swimmers so that could be interesting swimming in the -4 degrees lakes and rivers. I think there must be an inside pool at the resort.

Hope you all have a great week and "Take time to smell the roses".

Tina

2007-10-15T20:47:00.000-07:00

We had another great week on the road to Vancouver. The fall colours were just amazing, as the photo through a very dirty truck window shows. It was amazing to see the difference from town to town in the trees. Vancouver trees are just starting to turn at the moment where in Edmonton and closer to the rockies they have almost finished. Vancouver is much warmer and by the ocean. I love this trip to vancouver then on to Calgery as you travel mostly through the mountains but not the side where the tourists usually go.
I just thought this was a funny photo. They let anyone drive in Canada!!! Note Mt Robson in the background.
Just another amazing sunset and dirty windscreen. Phil and I saw the northern lights this week which was just amazing. Unfortunetly it was overcast and we didnt get the full effect of the lights. They were red and just looked like a wild fire in the sky. We stopped the truck and turned all the lights off to get a better effect.
We also saw a black bear walking through a mountain stream. I was so excited. Not many Canadians have actually seen that. Our friends are amazed at the things we have seen, but we do a lot of Kms to see these amazing things. I am still waiting for a photo of a bear with a Salmon in her mouth and cubs playing on the edge. Unfortunetly I got so excited I didnt think to get the camera out. Ha ha Poor Linda was on bear watch the whole week we were away and didnt see any. Since they have gone home both Phil and I have seen some.

Now of course Phil took this photo. This is a mans view of a sunrise!!!!! I must say the sunrise was beautiful, but it took me a while to see the machinery. The skys here seem much bigger and the colours much more vivid. In the Prairies it is even more amazing, all the open skies.

This week is to be a busy week for me. Tonight I had friendship group which is for folk with disabilites where they come and enjoy singing, a bible story and some supper together. i really love going and helping out. Tomorrow night I am going to a friends for supper and we are going to seeing discovering Jane??? The story of Jane Austin. Wednesday night is cooking for a group of single parents in the community that the Church we attends runs. Thursday night is Bible Study, and also during the day volunteering at an old folks home. Friday is Voluntary work at a Bible for Missions thrift shop. Saturday is a conference on "Disabled folk in the Church" then on Sunday we have Church and are going to Supper with a group of friends. Im going to cook Caramel pie and see how that goes down. It is so good to have things to "keep me off the streets."

Well thanks for viewing the blog, we really do enjoy sharing our experiences with you.

Tina

Just some craft Ive been playing with!

2007-10-15T20:19:00.001-07:00

Just a couple of things I have been working on. The top little wall hanging was for a friends 60th Birthday we had the privalige to attend. We had a lovely evening playing "shojbok" (not sure of spelling) It is a dutch game with a long board and round "stones" which you have to get into slots at the end of the board. I havent played since I was very young, just a few years ago really. Its was interesting to see the dutchies childhood memories come back. Many of the folk had a board in there home.
Just a couple of card for birthdays that I have been making. I actually dont know anything about scrapbooking but enjoyed making these cards. Hopefully I will get better and make some Christmas cards. I am trying to find things to occupy my time and found it took me nearly all day, save a trip to the mall, to make them. Hopefully I will get quicker (and better) or else the Christmas cards will be for 2008. Anyone have any good web sites with card making ideas??? I havent got my borowed sewing machine back yet but hopefully next week I will be back finishing some gifts I have started.

WOW, How Awesome!

2007-10-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

I'm runny out of words to descibe the Rockies! As you can see we had yet another fabulous week in the Rockies. What a privilage to be able to show our English "4 hour" friends, Mark and Linda this wonderland. As we were going up to Mount Edith Cavall to look at the ice caves I asked if anyone thought it might snow. "No" said Mark in his English accent "Not cold enough". Well it did snow and he will never here the end of it. We couldnt go ice caving as there was too much snow to walk for 2 km in our sandshoes. What a great surprise and how beautiful it looked. The photo is Linda, Phil and myself attempting snow angels??. Linda managed the most amazing snow angel on the Icefield glacier. "Good Job". Im sure it was a first, mind you we couldnt see the glacier properly because it was covered with several inches of snow.
It must have been snowing over night for there to be this much snow. We aslo went to Maligne Lake and the ground was covered in snow as well as the boats and boathouse. So the winter has come even though it is only around the 6th day of Fall. We did see some amazing Fall colours as the photo below shows. The contrast between snow and fall colours was incredible.

The day we arrived in Jasper it was raining and cloudy, but when we woke the mountains had a lovely layer of snow on them. How amazing the rockies are. I really will miss them when we come home.
This was a rather sedate photo of the 4 of us. The mountains in the background are covered in cloud. And it is hard to see the river down below. Along the road from Jasper to Banff are endless lookouts/pullouts/laybyes or whatever your country calls them. It is only a 3 hour drive but takes a day or two if you even look at half of the lookouts. We stayed half way at the icefield at an old log cabin motel. What an experience. We had an amazing dinner but this couldnt match the company. We had a good laugh at the menu where we had a choice of Grain or Starch to accompany out meal. I have never seen this before.
After such a fantastic week it was very hard to come back to an empty flat. But only 7 weeks till Josh and Jane arrive. Then Kylie and Clayton are coming on the 21st December. Fantastic!

Phil rang this morning to say it was snowing 2 hours drive away so I guess it wont be too long before Edmonton gets its first snow falls for the season. It is only 5 degrees today and overcast.

Have a great week and dont forget to take time to smell the roses. Miss you all so much.

Tina

The sky is the limit??!!

2007-09-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

Hi from Canada again,
Well this is our new wheels! We insured and got the rego for it today. If I say it took us from 8.30am to 3.30pm to do this, I am not joking. In Canada you have to get insurance and rego before you can actually drive the car. The gentleman we brought the car of was kind enough to let us borrow the car to run around while we did all the business. Because I havent got an Alberta licence that is why it was so complicated for us, even though Phil has one. Anyway I could write a book about it, but if we didnt laugh we would cry Im sure. So Tina goes off to do her first real grocery shop in our new/old car and get to the checkout, and tried to pay, but had overdrawn my limit for the day, so no money. Had to finally, after also refusing my already approved cheque, I had to use visa card. We only have an australian visa so hope the exchange rate is good at 7.30pm today. (We carnt get a Canadian visa till we are residence of Canada) but that is another book in itself. Here is a picture of the little beauty????
It is Fall as off yesterday. The trees are a picture, we have had a lot of wind so they are falling pretty quickly. this one was taken by Phil on his trip to Ontario out of the truck window of course. Hopefully while in the Rockies with out English friends we will be able to get some better ones. Apparently the rockies have a lovely cover of snow again so we are so looking forward to that. The weather was 16 degrees today but was only 6 on Sunday. We get a frost most mornings now.
The sunsets out over here are just amazing. This was taken on our way out of Edmonton. The sky seems much bigger here and definately bluer. Phils Mum even commented on that. Perhaps its is because it is such a slower pace here that we have more time to look. We have many photos of sunsets. One day before we come home I hope to get a sunrise up on the mountains. This photo was also taken out of the truck window. When we are driving in the truck we carnt really stop every time we see something we want to take a photo off or we would never get the load delivered. The squirrels and chipmunks are busy throwing there pinecones down and taking them to wherever they are going to live for the winter. Some say this means that the squirrels know that winter is coming early, so are getting ready. Maybe it is so just like they say in Australia when the ants are out and about it means it is going to rain. ?? Who knows.
This was an incredible sky that I loved and it came out beautifully. Canada has the dancing lights, which I have forgotten what they are called, in the nights. We havent seen them yet which is surprising all the miles Phil has travelled. Aparently they are just spectacular and the folk over here are still amazed by them.
This week as I said we are planning to go to Jasper and the Columbian Ice fields with Mark and Linda our English 4 hour friends. I call them this as we met on a boat in Vietnam for just a few hours. We clicked straight away and when they visited Australia on their world trip they spent several weeks including Christmas with us. They also spent 10 days or so with Tim and Kate at their home by the beach. We have kept in contact and just am so excited to show them some of Canada. Great friends can be made in such a short time. We have made some great friends over here. The folk at West End Christian Reformed Church have been incredible with there time and generousity towards us.

On the 8th October is Thanksgiving. This is a new celebration for us and we look forward to taking part in this time of Thanksgiving to God for what he has done. People do bring produce and tins etc to a special service held on thanksgiving day and it is given to the less fortunate in the community. Also the end of October sees Halloween. If we think the shop in Australia go crazy at Christmas time, well you aint seen nothing yet. Every shop has halloween stuff decorating it. It quite a huge festival here.

Well must go and get supper and start to clean for our visitor, which will take about 20 mins as the unit is quite small. ha ha
I promise more fall photos next week.

Tina

Some Humour

2007-09-17T10:05:00.000-07:00

Hi to all,

Well been a bit slack lately in the blogging department. Just thought I would show some of the funny photos we have taken in our travel.
Yes this is Phils head and Yes that is a squirrel or chipmunk, we are not quite sure. There are signs everywhere not to feed the critters but Phil just bent down to this little guy and he crawled all over him. How cute they are, I mean the squirrels!

This next photo is taken in the washrooms/restrooms/bathroom/toilets at the top of the Coccahala range (sorry not sure of spelling). I thought the sign above the toilets was so funny, I went back to the truck and brought back my camera. Two "park rangers" were sitting outside the restrooms chatting to Phil and one of them laughed when he saw me with the camera, saying a lot of women had seen the humour in the sign. The other ranger didnt have a clue what we were talking about, as he didnt see the humour in it.

If you look closely to the sign on the back it says "St Kilda Bch, Melbourne"
This tram was a gift to edmonton from St Kilda in Melbourne. Kylie just lives near here which is quite funny. It just is a fun ride for only a few dollars across the river. It is totally done up and run by a group of volunteers. It was funny to here the conductors talking about the history of Victoria.

The Fall leaves are in full display at the moment which are just beautiful. But the temperatures are starting to drop with the first snow falls coming on the mountains and near by towns. Phil has gone to Toronto and will be away for 8 to 10 days. On the 26th Sept, Mark and Linda are coming over for a week from England so that will be fantstic. Carnt wait actually.

Hope you all have a great week and have enjoyed the photos. Dont know if many read our blog anymore as we dont get any feed back, but thats probably because we are slack in our blogs.

Okay See ya
Tina

Off to Toronto

2007-09-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

Just a short note to let you know the roads I have traveled in the last week and the week to come.

Last week it was down to Vancouver back to calgary and up to Fort St John, all in Alberta and British Columbia, and I am off to Toronto this week (3300 Klm, 3 days + a bit of solid driving one way), and then home

Hope all is well with you all

Phil

Another fantastic week with Mum in Banff

2007-08-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

What a lovely week we had in Banff, which is another tourist town in the Rockies. We stayed 5 nights in the town and did day trips. Phil had a week off to spend time with his Mum. The mirror images are just unbelievable. This one is not the best photo we have, but I did enjoy taking this photo. The lengths we go to to bring you your photos for the blog. Mind you the water was freezing. While being a bit out of order, it was on the way to the famous Icefields, between Banff and Jasper.
This photo is taken on a Glacier at the Icefields where special buses/machines go out on to the glacier. Yes it was cold and damp. The ice below is hundreds of feet deep, so safe (I hope) to walk on. Mind you there were some holes you wouldnt want to step into. Beyond the blue markers wasnt safe to walk and we were not ment to walk there, the photo tells it all actually. There are lots of deep holes in the glacier and people have actually died by falling in and freezing with in minutes. The trip was really interesting, and the drivers must get sick of the same information and jokes 20 or so times a day.
What a fantastic group photo of mountain sheep. Pa, Ma and Baby. This was shot on top of Sulphur Mountain. We went up in skyway thing that took us to the top. The views are incredible and it was very cold. When we first got off the skyway we were greeted with sounds of a beautiful 4 stringed quartet. They were doing a promotion on the quartet festival coming the next week to Banff. The quartet were going to unusual places to show that music can be enjoyed anywhere. It was simply magical looking over the Rocky Mountains with music drifting across the valleys. What a treat for us all.
One top of the world once again. Sulphur Mountain is taller than Mt Kosiosco, as is most of the mountains in the Canadian Rockies. This is actually looking over the town of Banff. We stayed in a apartment looking out onto the smaller mountain in the middle, called Tunnel Mountian. On the right hand side is a huge golf course.
Last photo for today, can I say between Mum, Phil and I we have taken over 1500 photos, so I do promise a couple more. This was taken at the Fairmont Spring Hotel. It is featured in all the travel brochures about The Canadian Rockies. This is just a hallway leading onto the Grand ballroom and the other end leads onto another Ballroom with a night in shining armour and kings, queens chairs in it. Phil and I had a quick dance around the ballroom, I couldnt resist. It did take me back to the time when I was swept of my feet by a Handsome Young Night in Shining Armour, (okay Alan don't get a swollen head I have to say that, it makes for a good story) who danced with me in the Sydney Town Hall Ballroom. (Was that a "Do not Enter" sign, Al). Alan this one was heaps more sophisticated Im sure we would do a rather impressive, eye catching, waltz here. They even had magnificant music playing so we wouldnt have to hum our own. Arnt memories special. As I continue to "experience" Canada many memories come back of fun times and even sad times that are special to me. Memories are made by us and are made each day. We had a buffet luncheon at the Hotel which was just amazing. I dont think I have ever been into such a beautiful restaurant before with its old fashioned chairs and decor.
Only one more week till Mum goes home. I have so enjoyed sharing some of Canada with Her and know she will take back some special memories. Mark and Linda arrive from England at the end of September so I guess I will have to just take them to the rockies. They are only here for a week so it will be a very quick trip.
Have a great week and "Take time to smell the roses"
Tina

2nd Tag

2007-08-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

Pay it Forward....

I've joined the Pay it Forward challenge. I think it will be fun. I joined over at Sarah's blog. She does beautiful work, has a great blog, and I can't wait to receive something that she has made.............I love doing things for people and making gifts for my friends. The first three people to join me will receive a handmade gift from me. I have 365 days to make it and send. Hopefully it won't take me that long though.Then each of you three must also put this on your blog and get three people each to sign up. Then you make your three people a handmade gift. I think it sounds great. Hopefully three bloggers out there will want a handmade gift from me. All you have to do is put this fun challenge up on your blog and lets keep it going. So.........do I have three bloggers out there that would like a handmade prezzie from me.............leave a comment but you had better be quick................Tina

I have been tagged twice!!!

2007-08-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

I have been tagged by Kerry at Cottage on the Hill - 8 random things about me Hum- thanks Kerry!

RULES - Post rules before giving the facts - Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves - People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules - At the end of the your blog you need to tag eight people and list their names - Leave them a comment on their blog, telling them they have been tagged and not to forget to read your blog.

1) I love Beach Houses!(especially the ones in Melbourne)

2) My favourite sayings are "Seize the Day" and "Take time to smell the roses".

3) I hate predictable Humour.

4) I always wanted to be a Nurse or even a Doctor.

5) Drawing would be something I wished I could do.

6) I would love to jump out of a plane but am too chicken to do that.

7) Working in a Third World Country would be my ultimate job.

8) I dont know any other bloggers who I can tag, that havent already been tagged so am unable to complete my task.

NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED

2007-08-18T19:42:00.000-07:00

This is not a job for the faint hearted

Sort of looks Ok till you look at the next photo below

The picture was at a wharehouse I had to deliver to, firstly I thought it was a photoshop manipulation, but was assured it was for real, there OH&S person used it as a "What not to do"example when he was doing there annual OH&S review.

Apparently is is here in Alberta, Fort McMurray they were told.

Phil

Just a few more images of our time in Jasper

2007-08-17T07:35:00.000-07:00

Just thought you would enjoy a few more photos. The top photo was of some Woodpeckers that just flew onto the tree while we were standing there. And yes they do make a sound like a carpenter hammering in nails. They must be pretty accurate as we didnt hear any "darns" while we were there. (sorry no reflection on the my carpenter friends).
This photo was taken at Jasper Lodge, which is a beautiful old lodge with lovely expensive shop , lots of accommodation and cafes in it. You are free to wander the grounds and have coffee there. People can picnic and there is lots of wild life in the grounds. There are chairs scattered around the edge of the lake to sit and watch the magnificant scenery.
Now I have been amazed by the large bees, they are bumble bees, so this is a close up even just for me. Note the fly next to it. They are yellow and fluffy like in patchwork books.
Ah, sorry this one just slipped in. This is the life of a tour guide, well almost, no glass of wine!

This is after a cruise on Lake Maligne. I think this shot says it all. Mum is having a beautiful time. Carnt wait to show her the next part of the Rockies.
This little fella wouldnt move. She was in such a hurry to gobble down as much as he could. Note the shavings around her. It wasnt till we took Phil back to see Patrica Lake that we noticed that this little lady is suckling young. No wonder she was eating so fast. We looked for her young ones but couldnt find them and didnt really want to disturb her.

On top of the Tram way in Jasper I think you can see till the end of the world. not really the mountains are in the way. Phils Mum doesnt like heights but was brave and came up. Actually I dont think she realized what she was getting into until it was too late. But note who is closest to the edge. Also note the lack of fences to protect from going over the edge.

Well have a lovely week, as i am sure we will in Banff.

See ya Tina

2007-08-14T09:27:00.001-07:00

Im truely sorry about the writing beside the photo, I have edited and tried all sorts of things but at the risk of loosing photos I have decided to leave it as it is. Any suggestions??? If I had more time Im sure I could work it out. Sorry Tina

6 days in Jasper Absolutely Awsome

2007-08-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

Once again I am very slack with my blogging. I have been in Jasper with Phils Mum for 6 days. How fantastic was that. It is truely indiscribable to be in the Rocky Mountains. Especially exciting was the morning we woke and there was a fresh dump of snow on the top of the mountains. I have seen them fully covered with snow but I can only say they were just as beautiful, if not a little warmer. We went for a cruise on Lake Maligne, in the rain, but we learnt so much and saw the snow covered peaks up closer. We saw Carabou up real close then watched them swim across Lake Patricia. Not many folk have seen that, I had to contain my excitment so I wouldnt frighten them. We also saw chipmunks, squirrels, coyotes, elk, deer and woodpeckers. I have never seen a woodpecker and they really do sound like they are a carpenter hammering in nails. They had a bright red head so Ill have to find out what they are. I have so many pictures to share but dont know what to put on.

Phil joined us for the weekend as he had a load to go to Vancouver which was nice. We went up the Jasper Tramway and were on top of the world. We were at 2277 metres above sea level,(which is higher than Kosiosco) then did a bit of walking around, where we say some gophers and a guinee pig thingy. The photo doesnt really show the magnitude or the beaut of the lookout, but you get an idea. Will post some better ones soon. The town below is actually Jasper which only has a population of around 2500 people, but it was crowded with RVs and tourist, being the summer holidays. Actually we nearly slept in the car as we left our accommadation looking till late. We we managed to score a gorgous little log cabin, beside a bubbling river, looking out onto the snow cover mountains with the squirrels and chipmunks running about us. Have you had enough, I must say Phil will have to work a lot harder for a few weeks to pay for it, But I couldnt let Mum sleep in the car!!!

The last photo was a little lake just on the side of the road where we stopped. The mirror images were amazing. Our timing was fantastic and we got lots of photos here. We went for a walk around and each few metres the images changed so much. How wonderful are digital cameras.

The Rockies are so amazing it is so hard to descibe the sights, sounds and even the different smells. Phil has a week of next week so we are of to Banff. It is so lovely to be able to share this beautiful country with Phils Mum and we are looking forward to our week away.

It is impossible for me to write about the Rockies without acknowledging God the Creator, who has given us such undiscribable beauty to enjoy. It makes me think about Psalm 8 and reminds me to thank Him for his kindness to us daily.

Okay until next time, have a great week and think, seriously, about visiting us here, I suppose I would be prepared to be your tour guides, its a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Tina

What a fantastic Holiday down under!!!!

2007-08-01T05:14:00.000-07:00

Good job Grandma!!!!!!!

Sorry for the long delay in Blogging, I have been further occupied, as the photos show.

The first two weeks in Oz were spend with Tim, Kate and Elijah, with visits from Josh and Jane and a sleep over at Joshs house. Josh introduced me to the Indian "Rice and Sauce" very cheep but delicious. Tim as usual cooked me some fantastic dinners. (He actually allowed me to share His kitchen with him one night.) It was cold and raining most of the time, but with my family around and lots of time together it was probably just what I needed.

A visit with Aunty Mavis, Aunty Wendy and Aunty Thel was great, it gave me some time to reflect on my Uncle Lauries life and to have some special time with them to share our memories.

I then flew to Hobart to see Kylie and Clayton. Man it was cold over there. What a beautiful city Hobart is. We basically chilled, had lunch time picnics with Clay, walked, shopped, brought clothes, got lost, tasted sheeps cheese, (which was disgusting, but the experience and the fun we had was worth it, I think) and shared dinners together, and caught up with some old friends, Anna, Adam and Kristy. Kristy, whitebait really wasnt worth trying!!! Sorry. Clay seemed to enjoy it though. I actually put it up there with the sheeps cheese!

It was great to share some time out with them and just relax before the next marathon few weeks.

Next off to Tamworth for the Christmas in July Weekend. What do I say "How much fun was that"!

Imagine 28 women in a school room with sewing machines, fabric, amazing food, special teacher, pressies and lots of laughter, not much sleep and too much coffee and chocolate.

How fantastic! Brilliant job Kerry!

It was also great to have so many new ideas to bring back to Canada.

It is hard not being involved with a group of quilters over here as I so lack ideas and enthusiasm, so hopefully this will keep me going till next years weekend. (I havent told Phil about that one yet)

I spent the next week with my friend Gai and we had too much talking, sewing, and chocolate for any one to
record.

I did however finish Elijahs quilt. I was so pleased. I do have a better photo of the quilt but could resist putting on a photo with him in it.

I caught up with a few friends whilst in Tamworth. We had a sewing day at Gais with Anne, Will, Kathy, Pat and Bonnie. I think I was the only one who sewed, they all talked too much. I also spent a lovely afternoon with a friend who cooked me Lamb Chops, mashed potatoes and peas. Oh how fantastic, the things you miss are amazing. We also had "Lunch in the Paddock" at a friends farm. I felt very privilaged to be invited to a family lunch with them. Also to share a few hours with Phils family and to enjoy Zacs 13th birthday was fun.

Catching up with my clients and staff was one of the highlights for me. They were excited to see me but not as half as excited I was to see them. We had lots of catching up to do. We made pizzas together one night also managed to have lunch together on the Saturday before I left.

I also went to Church and this gave me an opportunity to catch up with the Church folk which was fantastic.

After a tearfully farewell to Gai and her Mum at the Kootingal train station, I was joined by Phils mum in Tamworth to travel to the Central Coast to spend the last 2 days with Tim, Kate, Elijah and Josh. This was proved to be a very emotional few days for me.

Elijah introduced me to Kippy Koala which I must of read a million times to him. A highlight for me was Elijah sitting on my knee staring at me for about 20 minutes while I sang most of the (revised version) of Sound of Music to him. How special! (He probably wondered why Grandma was putting him through that)

I am amazingly blessed with many friends and wonderful kids. I loved every minute I could spend with them and Thank God daily for giving me this special gift. Each child is individual and gives me great pleasure in seeing them grow into adults and I feel privilaged that I could have this time with them all. I thank you guys for giving me this opportunity to spend with you and miss you all greatly. Kate you are a gem.

Okay until next blog, which also will be long. I have done so many things since being back. The trip home was almost a chapter on its own. Perhaps I should write a book!!!

See ya
Tina

Sorry I have been a bit busy lately!!

2007-07-04T01:51:00.000-07:00

Hi From the Land down Under, My name is Elijah McIntosh and I am 7 months old. I have been keeping grandma very busy with cuddles, kisses, songs, new tricks, dancing and now my newest tricks rasberries. Grandma has washed up once or twice and has helped Mummy and Daddy around the house, Daddy gets a bit defensive when Grandma is in His kitchen but they did manage to do a joint cooking venture and they both survived!
Grandma is going to Tasmania at 5.00am to see Aunty Kylie and Uncle Clayton. She said it was going to snow down there. Uncle Clayton is making a cartoon for TV and hopefully when I am bigger I will be allowed to watch it.
Grandma says she will miss me but not half as bad as she will miss me when she goes back to Canada. She has already had a few tears. But Grandpa misses her so she needs to go back and show him all the photos of me she has taken.

After her trip to Tasmania she is going to Tamworth to a quilting weekend. I just wish she would get my quilt finished. It is only 7 months late. Maybe she will save it for when i have a brother or sister but she assures me she will finish when she is there. So please dont keep grandma too busy with cups of coffees and cake as she has an important job to do there.

Grandma will then come back for a couple more days to visit with me and Great Grandma will come with her. They are then leaving on the 25th July to go to Canada for more adventures. But first Im sure will come the tears and more of those Grandma kisses. Hope you enjoy my photos as grandma thinks Im the cutest little boy ever. I will say goodnight as I am really sleepy and I need to practice my new skill called "sleeping" . Love to you all Elijah and Grandma

Can you bear it

2007-06-23T07:06:00.001-07:00

This is one of the mountains about an hour west of Jasper, the above photo (for the camera Techno's) was taken using a Kodak basic digital camera and adding a specialised high power lens to the front. (actually I put the camera lens into the eye socket of our binoculars and hoped for the best), and it worked well. below is the same mountain taken from the same location.

Now BEAR with us for the next 2 Photos.

I should have tried the camera binocular combination here, if you enlarge the picture (double click on it) and look in the tree directly above the mother bear you can see 2 cubs in the tree

From bears to rattle snakes.

2007-06-13T14:38:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely week "on the Road again". Most of our time was spent in the rocky mountains which was just amazing. I can't explain how beautiful they are, even though the snow is melting now. A lot of the mountains have waterfalls on them from the melting snow. Also lots of the rivers were nearly in flood and some of the lakes were full. We also saw 10 bears, I can't believe that. A lot of folk actually living here have never seen that many. Oh they are so cute, black shinny coats, 5 of them were cubs, and one was a brown bear. We saw a lot of other animals but couldn't believe it when a coyote and her 3 little cubs ran across the road. It was like their first lesson in crossing the busy road. "Come on guys its now or never". Every turn in the road is like a near experience. We also drove through some desert country where apparently there are rattle snakes. We didn't see any, actually we didn't see any wild life at all in the desert. The photo below was of a dam we passed which had beautiful images on it. This was taken at 10.15 pm. Not bad! It is getting dark around 10.45 then light again around 4.30am.
This is yet another beautiful photo of the Rockies. I think this mountain has snow all year round as there are a few glaciers on it. It is just amazing.

I am in the process of packing to come back to Australia for 5 weeks. I am really looking forward to coming and seeing the kids and my Gorgeous Grandson. He is nearly crawling now. It will be interesting for Phil to be here on his own I think he might miss me. I am spending 2 and a bit weeks with Tim, Kate, Elijah and Josh then a week in Tassy with Kylie and Clay. I am then going to Tamworth for a weekend retreat at Cottage on the Hill (with my wild quilting friends). I have my mammogram in Tamworth on the Monday, dinner with my special friends from Johnson St Group home, which i am so looking forward to. When I come back Phil's Mum will be with me. She will be with us for 6 weeks. I am looking forward to sharing this experience with her. So many new things to see, taste, experience new animals and new weather patterns.

Tim, Kate, Josh and Jane got their fair share of water last weekend. Tim and Kate kept the water out of their house with towels etc and had a few days without power. Josh and Jane managed to have the car break down (thanks Jane's Dad for coming to the rescue) and being stopped by snow on the way to the Bible conference, but had an enjoyable weekend and returned home safely. Kylie is fine, busy as always, she got some really great deals so we can fly round the country side. and Clayton is fine??? Put it this way no news from him is good news!!!!

I must welcome Aunty Joyce and Uncle Les to the blog. I believe Aunty Joyce brought a printer and is sharing this blog with other friends and family. What fun. Hope it is still interesting and enjoyable for you to read. My problem is there is so much to say and share that it is hard to know where to begin.
Love to you all. Tina

Minus 20 to Plus 20 mid Winter to late Spring

2007-06-03T21:56:00.000-07:00

6 pictures for you to see the difference from winter to late spring over here, The change over the past 3 months is amazing, from the spectacular blue silver of the snow to the vibrant greens and other colours of spring.

These photos are of the bed and breakfast we stayed in the first night we arrived, Tina visited to say hi to the owners and take a few now pics (Tina and Ruth have become quite good friends), The bed and breakfast is the Streetside Bed and Breakfast and if you need accomodation in Edmonton we recomend it to you.

Edmonton Canada Feburary 12 2007.

May 31 2007
Feb 12 2007
May 31 2007

Minus 20 to Plus 20 in 3 months

2007-06-03T21:26:00.000-07:00

Week 11 on the road

2007-05-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

This week was a short one for both in days worked and distance traveled. I went north from Edmonton to High Level, back to Edmonton and a short run to Grande Prairie I went past a classic Church building in a remote village on my way to High Level

The Strang Presbyterian Church is the only church in Dixonville Alberta and was established in 1932.

The detail in the corner joints is just incredible

and the precision in the dovetailed corners is incredible especially considering the Craftsmen who built it were probably working only with hand tools obviously using round logs, i must admit I'm glad I not a carpenter back in the "Good Old Days"

Phil

"Indians"

2007-05-24T17:08:00.001-07:00

Hi from Edmonton,

Phil and I had the pleasure of attending a Pow Wow last weekend. this is where the Indians get together and dance and make music with only there drums

and there voices. They held it in a Recreation Hall at the Alberta Uni, hence the seating and basketball courts. It was just fascinating to watch and listen too. They had different dance segments which also showed the various costumes of the tribes and dances.

This gorgeous little fellow was dancing with his brother ( who didn't want his photo taken) and shows off the intricate work of there costumes, The older guy didn't mind having his photo taken with me but when Phil said he could my scalp he looked a bit sour. So much culture and tradition to take in. There were 300 dancers in the pow wow. there were about 10 different drumming tribes with 10 men sitting around playing the one drum and singing (chanting) in there native tongue. Warren, one of my special friends, would have been overwhelmed by the Indians. I wish he could have enjoyed it with us. ( I miss this guys so much).
what a privilege to share in this with them, even though at times we didn't understand what was going on.

I saw Jenny B and Maralene on Monday for a few hours. The Greyhound bus was on strike and because it was a long weekend it was difficult to get a hire car. Phil and I were asked to go to lunch at some folks place we hadn't relay met before. I told them what had happened and later that night Alice rang me and said she would love to take me to Jasper to see my friends. I was quite overwhelmed by her generosity. So we spent a very chilly 2 days in the Rockies and 3 hours with Jenny and Maralene. The Rockies are beyond explaining and the sun shining on them was amazing. No I didn't have the camera with me. I think Phil and I will have to get one each

I have been doing some sewing the rest of the week and trying to book flights back to Australia. At this stage I am leaving Edmonton on the 16th June and coming back on the 26th July, with Phil's Mum.

Our Friends from England Mark and Linda are coming to visit at the end of September. How sad, we will just have to take them to the Rockies, and visit Jasper and Banff, again!!! I will also show you my table topper out of Kerry Swains book and the bag I made Phil's Mum for mothers day.

Hope you are all enjoying the cold, and love to hear from you.

love Tina, Mum and Grandma

(Elijah, Grandma has been looking for an Indian costume for you, but you will have to go without the tommy hawk, sorry.)

Ps. Sorry I lost the first three photos. When i tried to get them back that came to the front of the blog instead of the end. Oh well still makes for interesting viewing, I hope.

2007-05-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

Hi all in the Land Down under!!!

What a great week we had last week in the truck. As Phil showed you on the map we went from Edmonton to Fort Nelson to Mackenzie to Winnipeg. It was unbelievable the change in the scenery from one day to the next. On the western side the popular trees haven't got any leaves on them yet, but in Winnipeg they are in their full glory. There was snow still around on the ground in the west but completely gone and incredibly green. Sorry guys, the water was just laying around after a few days of rain. I think I should work on an underground, undersea tunnel to get some over to Oz. Its almost unbelievable to see the country side here then to hear of the extra restrictions placed in Tamworth and I'm sure other areas.
The Rockies are the most amazing scenery I think I have ever seen. (they are still snow covered) As we were driving through them a black bear decided to cross in front of us. I was so excited and surprised course i had actually given up looking behind every tree and bush in the hope of seeing one. Anyway here he/she was just in front of us. I couldn't get the camera out in time to get a photo which is disappointing but I am saving that for the next time I see a bear with a fish in his mouth in a mountain stream, of course there will be a few cubs running around. We also saw another bear but he was dead. He was in the middle of St John and probably had been hit by a car. that is a bit scary, when you think of kids walking to school etc. But all the brochures say you make a noise so they know you are there, so you don't frighten them and they will pay you no attention. But if they do decided to run after you, you are to lay down and pretend to be dead. Easy!!!!! I hope never to have to put this into effect and if I do I sure hope there is a bathroom, or I think I would need a Washroom close by.
This week I have been trying to book a flight back to Australia in June. It has become a little more complicated because Phil's mum is coming home with me. But the specials in Canada aren't the same as in Australia, so we are just trying to get the best deal for both of us. Kylie is doing a lot of the foot work so that has been fantastic.
I also am trying to get to Jasper,in the Rockies, to see Jenny and Marilyn but Greyhound buses have gone on strike and are not going to the west of the state. It is also a holiday weekend so most car hire places are not open or all the cars have been taken. So probably wont be able to go, which is really disappointing. It is also meant to snow in Jasper on Monday so that might be a highlight for them. It would have been a high light for me to to see them. I believe Jenny has brought some sorbelene and some Magazines for me. What else does anyone need,??? maybe some decent coffee!!!!!
Well till next time,

Tina

Week 10 on the road with Tina part 4

2007-05-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

Some things over here are just different

like the side of the road you drive on,

the sun goes East to West via South,

there is no Southern Cross in the sky

and the designers of some concrete agitators seem to be back to front as you can see

and they seem to add extra axles under there Prime movers

Week 10 on the road with Tina part 3

2007-05-14T07:15:00.000-07:00

Between Mackenzie and Dawson Creek is the town of Chetwynd, known for its chain saw carvings

If you want to view some spectacular photos of the area visit this link
http://www.britishcolumbia.com/photogallery/

Week 10 on the road with Tina part 2

2007-05-13T17:19:00.000-07:00

This Tina came with me and we traveled North west from Edmonton to Fort St John, http://www.cityfsj.com/

then on to Ft Nelson, Mackenzie and over to Winnipeg

The landscape can vary considerably on a short distance.

Left is overlooking a valley on the way to Ft Nelson

As you travel from Ft St John to Mackenzie you pass through the Rockies at an elevation of aprox 930meters on the road, with mountain peaks to just over 2000meters high and at these elevations there is still snow left from the winter falls, which this year were the heaviest in about 30 years

Week 10 on the road with Tina

2007-05-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

The beginning of the Alaska Highway

These pic's are a bit out of order these two are a Timber Trestle Rail Bridge an hour or so northwest of Edmonton

In the Rockies

week 9 on the road

2007-05-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

This week was a relatively short week on the road just 2 trips.

Firstly to Flin Flon, then to Mackenzie.

For more info on Flin Flon try this link http://www.cityofflinflon.com/index-frameset.html (Mum double click on this link to go to The Flin Flon web site)

On the way to Flin Flon you travel through Forest's

Past lakes

to a more desolate landscape, there is a mine with a vertical shaft nearly a mile (1.5 Klm) deep.

2007-04-30T16:01:00.000-07:00

Well what has Tina been up too?? This is my week no where near as exciting as the big world or long distance trucking but heres my week.
Monday: Didnt do much but clean, wash and return emails. Went to Friendship group in the evening which is a group for Disabled folk.

Tuesday: Went to "The Mall" looking for shoes, only 40 shoe shops to choose from. Spent several hours following around a film crew and 400 extras watching the filming of the new movie in the mall. Quite interesting really they are still short of extras so are still looking. They have the Mall all set up for Christmas which is really nice. I came across 5 grown men sitting on the floor of the mall wrapping "presents " to be used in the movie. They were having a lovely time, full of cheek.

Wednesday: Went to Bible Study then visited a friends family for a coffee. The lady that we visited is a pupeter. She had a beautiful collection of different puppets that she uses at schools and birthday parties. She has made some many years ago but now just buys them. I love puppets and would love to make some, however coming across puppet patterns isnt that easy, maybe I can addapt some bear patterns etc.

Thurday: Went with a friend for a whole day out. Firstly we went to her sisters farm about 30 mins drive out of edmonton. They used to farm elk and bison. I saw my first Gopher, how exciting that was, they shoot them here because they are a nuisence, how sad. They now have a honey business that they export honey out of. It is a family business and is doing really well. Which makes me wonder about the bees in Australia. Honey was very expensie when we left due to the drought, what is is like now, probably dearer by now. We then went to a patchwork shop which was a real treat. I brought enough fabric to make a tablecloth out of Kerry Swains book "Blackberry Jam and Cream" I am making the Berry Season Table Topper. The fabric I brought is Canadian Autum leaves and pine cones for the centre feature. It is really beautiful and on special for $6.99 from $16 which made it a bargain. Yes ladies the rest of the fabrics are autum colours which are my favourite. We then had supper/dinner at my friends place and went to Bible Study.

Friday: Did Voluntary work at a second hand shop call Bibles for Missions. I enjoy this work and am amazed at what people bring to the shop. I brought 20 DMC threads for $1.00. That night we went and saw the Friendship group preform their end of year play, what fun that was. Then went to a friends pottery and art display, which was just beautiful. I brought Phil for his birthday 2 pottery mugs and brought a cute little tea pot to match. They are the most amazing steel blue colour.

Saturday: Phil got home at 1.00am this morning. We went to the mall for a coffee and cream horn ($3.80 for 2 cakes and 2 coffees) They are made by a chinese cake shop who specialise in wedding cakes. When we were leaving a guy, who owns a greek food shop opposite, said goodaye and asked us to sit down and have a coffee with him. He was a National/Indian/Aboriginal/First National. Each name is appropriate for these people. We went back that night for a music jam and just to chat and eat some greek food. We met several Indian people and learnt a lot more about their culture. They have invited us to a pow-wow in May, which will be fantastic. Some of these folk live on a reserve just out of town. They are a stem from the Sue Indians. Not sure how you spell that though.

Sunday: Went to church and stayed for soup and rolls after church. They have this each week for visitors and fellowship groups. It is a great way to meet folk in the Church and to involve new comers.
So that is my week. I am also ready a book called "The blooding of Jack Absolute" written by C.C. Humphreys. It is just a novel set in London in 1759. I have finish several books so to fill in my time. I do some hand sewing on my Block of the month squares, and watch a bit of Tv. i do try to do some walking, which seems to be offen. As we dont have a car it is sort of forced excercise but I really enjoy it. Otherwise we use the bus.
It is amazing what we take for granted. I was so excited to hear the kids playing outside, the birds singing and watch the animals emerge from there winter homes. The grass is so green and the buds on the trees are just beautiful, also some of the bulbs are just starting to bloom. It is spring here but after being snow and cold for so long it is just fantastic to see all these things coming alive. I also miss being able to ring people and visit, to be able to spend time with my friends, to be able to have patchwork magazines to brouse through and fabric to "play" with. I miss my work and my special friends there especially Anthea who I was Key worker for. I will never take these things for granted again.
Family update, Elijah is starting to get up on his knees, clever boy, but just look at his grandma!!!! Clayton has taken a job in Hobart. He will be working on a kids animation which will be made into half hour tv programs. He drove from brisbane to Melbourne in 3 days and is now just getting of the boat in Devonport to drive to Hobart. How exciting for Clay! Im sure he will enjoy it. I think the company is in the Salamanca Market place on the harbour which will be just a fantastic place to work in. The markets on a Saturday there are just fantastic, most of you have heard of them. Well hope you enjoyed my chipmunk photo, they are so quick i was lucky to get this one. Until next blog. Tina

Week 8 Part 1

2007-04-28T17:17:00.000-07:00

This weeks Touring took me west from Edmonton to Hinton to load, and then through Jasper over the Rockies, south down to Kamloops and then on to North Vancouver docks to unload, reload, back to Kamloops, east over the Rockies, through Golden and past Banff and on to Calgary, back to Edmonton, swich trailers, then North west to High Praire, unload west to Grand Prairie to reload and back to Edmonton

Vehicle dimentions of a typical single truck/trailer combination over here.
23 meters is maximum length without a permit.
Max length in Aus is 19 meters

This unit on the Bridge brings wood chips into the pulp mill, to unload, the whole unit is tipped as you cas see in the next Photo

Up it goes, the unit is at probably 60-70 degrees when at full height, (I was unable to get a picture at full height, hopefully I will next visit). It is suprising how fast it go up, empties and back down .

Week 8 Part 2 near Banff

2007-04-28T17:06:00.000-07:00

A frozen waterfall on the way through Banff National Park

no explanation needed to where I was for these 2 pic's

(double click on the photo to enlarge)

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Week 8 on the road part 3 Towards Kamloops

2007-04-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

From Jaser you travel west over the rockies to a location called Tete Jaune Cache (pronounced tee zchon, you must use a French accent) and then south to Kamloops (this is the western side of the rockies) and the road is fairly flat (for the rockies), and the next 3 photos show the different landscape in a short distance. (note the mountain peaks are the same peaks in each photo)

The same snow tunnel from last week notice the difference in the amount of snow

Week 8 on the road Part 4 Vancouver skyline

2007-04-28T15:14:00.000-07:00

The load to North Vancouver was delivered to the docks, destined for export I guess.

On the return over the Iron workers bridge you get a great view of the Vancouver Skyline

For those who are real geography enthusiasts this map shows location and direction of photo

More Of week 7

2007-04-21T22:08:00.000-07:00

I ran out of picture space on the last post so go to it first as in reality this follows it.

The Alex Frazer Bridge Vancouver,

I thought floating logs down the river was a thing of the past and movies, But it is still a reality here

A tunnel of a different kind, to keep the snow from blocking the road, there are a number on the No 1 highway from Vancouver to Calgary. The rail line has a heap too
(sorry but the pic is a bit blurred but you get the idea)

Heaps of spectacular lakes along the way

A new bridge under construction to take a new part of the highway.

Things seem huge here.

Talk to you all again next week hopefully

Week 7 on the Road

2007-04-21T20:36:00.000-07:00

This week I traveled to Vancouver Via Calgary, Fort Macleod, Sparwood, Cranbrook, to Creston, where i unloaded and reloaded and bounced along the US/Canada border to Vancouver (where it is green). And returned via Kamloops, Golden and Bannf to unload at Calgary and back to Edmonton

On this part of the Rockeys there was a tunnel (or 2, cant exactly remember as there is so much to take in)

An unanticipated Snow fall on a realy steep pass.
Another steep learning curve for me, (27.5 tonne load, 45.5 onne gross) it felt as though the trailer was fish tailing slightly as the truck crawled up the steep climb at slow speed, apparently what actually was happening was, the drive wheels were sliding to the left and right as the snow is compressed to ice.

More spectacular scenery

And it is green as you get close to Vancouver

Phil

Week 7 on the Road

2007-04-21T17:15:00.000-07:00

A BIG week especially when it comes to dump trucks as you can see from the photo's.

Designing of this monster truck started In 1968 at General Motors London Office and was built in the States by 1974

Now located in Sparwood British Columbia Canada

As you can see it is BIG.

Some details for future reference or your useless information file (or if you are organising a trivia night it might be usefull)

169 litre 3300HP turbo charged 16 cylinder 2 stroke

Flat out at 48 Klm/hour

Tare weight 236 Tonne

Load Capacity 317 Tonne

Gross weight 553 Tonne

(for more info click in pictures to enlarge)

2007-04-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Sorry we havent updated the blog in a while we have been fairly busy.

As you can see in the second photo I went on my first trip with Phil in the truck. We went to a town called Kitmat which is on the West coast above Vancouver. You actually go through the Rockies which is just unbelievable. The scenery really carnt be explained. There still was a lot of snow around and the mountains were covered. Some of the frozen lakes have started to melt. Just imagine Lake Keepit or chaffey dam frozen with cars driving on it, ice fishing, ice skating and skidoos instead of sking and boats. Some of the roadside water falls were still frozen and something we have never witnessed before. Where was the camera when you needed it.? It is hard to get photos as we are driving along, focusing isnt the easiest, but of course the minute you put the camera away something else needs photographing. I enjoyed the trip much more than I thought I would. One morning, after pulling in at 2.00am, we woke surrounded by the snow covered rockies. The chipmunks were out and very happy to have a chat, they are such beautiful little critters. I must admit my mind found it hard to get around this scene for Easter.

We had an Easter luncheon at a "Roadside Cafe." It was quite unique, the food was great, the staff friendly and I will call it another experience. Most of the roadside cafes are made in the 60's and never been updated. I love these experiences and look out for "different" places to eat just for the experience. When we are out and about a lot of you come to mind as I think so and so would love this or wait till I bring so and so here. Travelling is such a great experience and with an open mind and a bit of adventures spirit it can be a lot of fun, even the disasters can be fun. I must admit my adventureous spirit was tested when we tried to sleep in the front of the truck as they were loading the back with pallets of paper with a fork lift. Needless to say we didnt get much sleep till they were finish loading.

The first photo was taken as we were driving along. I say a big "castle looking house" which i wanted to take a photo of. It was only after I took the photo that I realise how magical the spot was. We went for a walk up to the bridge, through the snow. Snow isnt always as it looks and we ended up severeal times up to our knees in it. What a laugh. Yes it is spring over here BUT each day has its own surprises. Coming back into Edmonton it was snowing and we got around 3 inches of snow, on the 10th April. I am looking forward to going again and finding another experience!!!

Last weekend I did a Thereapudic Clowning workshop which was a lot of fun. It was quite interesting to be in a room with 25 clowns or wana bees. It was very tiring but benificial. i have to now decided if this is for me, or just visiting folk in the hospital would be better for me. There are lots of rules in clowning and red tape to go through to be a thereapudic clown which has left me a bit unsure. I just need to speak and most people laugh at me. The new word is "chook".

They have never heard that word here, so they pronounce it "chalk" which takes away from the discription of a chicken.

Last night I went to a Crossroads gathering. This is a time when disabled folk come and enjoy some time together, learning about God, singing, craft and supper. They love it and I felt quite at home. They were practicing a play to put on for their families and friends. I was so amazed how similar a lot of the folk looked to my special friends in Australia. I did shed a few tears as it made me miss my friends in Australia especially the ones who I worked with.

Just a person note, Robyn if you have a email could you ring Kerry and give it to her so she can email it to me and I can send an email to you. When is "wild childs" babies due? How many quilts have you made now. They can only use one at a time you know. Ha ha !!! Im still having problems locating fabric shops because they seem to be the absolule opposite side of town which is at least an hour on the bus, but now the snow has melted perhaps it will be easier.

Also Andrew and Deb I havent got your email. I did ask Jenny but she must of forgotten. Dont put email addresses in the blog as anyone can have access to them.

Since we have been in Canada, 8 weeks, our news from Australia has been intersting.

Kylie was hit again,by a car while riding her bike. She is fine now if not still a bit sore. She is started a new job as a physcologist in a school. Kylie graduated from her masters last month. Clayton had a car accident but he is okay and car is now back and fixed. He has a job as a carer for a fellow with Downs Syndrome. He has finished the Tim Finn video and it looks amazing. Tim turned 26, and had a crusty cream donut shop move a few minutes up the road from him, which is Bad news. Soccor has started for both him and Josh again. Katie has been fantastic in keeping us up to date with weekly photos of Elijah. Elijah is rolling over and started eating big peoples food now. Katie has also managed to put together a Noahs ark quilt for Elijah of which she got the pattern for her birthday. When it is finished I will post a photo of it. I miss them all so much. I do love shopping for Elijah as clothing is cheaper here. Josh also turned 20, my baby!!!. He and Jane have been to Coonabarabran for Easter which he loved. They have booked there tickets for the 1st December to Canada and plan to do a little bit of work over here during the winter months. It will be great to have them for Christmas. Phil and I celebrated out 27th wedding aniversary. My Uncle has been diagnosed with Bowel cancer which has spread to his liver and a dear friend from Church has been diagnosed with bowel cancer. It is times like these that we feel a long way from home.

Okay my friends, please stay in touch, we watch the emails and blog spot each day waiting for news from home.

Until next time

Tina

Map of week 4 travels

2007-04-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

2 trips this week

Edmonton to Kamloops 800klm, then east 110 klm to Armstrong and back to Edmonton.

Edmonton to Prince Rupert (1450 klm) Back to Terrace down to Kitimat to load, then back to Edmonton.

Phil

Week 4 Travels Going West

2007-04-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

A saying we are all familar with "Go west" and that is what I did twice this week with some spectacular highs and lows , This blog is of Edmonton -Prince Rupert.

250 Klm west of Edmonton (just east of Hinton) and the high for the week as the sign shows.

Another 1150 klm and the low (topographicly) for the week Prince Rupert, a Picturesque harbour, they had just had an unseasonal dump of snow (300-600mm depending on where you were) and roads were closed due to fear of avalanches, power lines down, cars off the road and abandonded.

To see snow on the boats in the harbour seemed strange

You wont see this at Coffs

On the way from From Terrace there are long streches of lakes with high mountans behind them and the reflections were incredible, and it is suprising what pictures can be captured on the move (point the digital camera and hope for the best)

On the scenery setting it works with reasonable success

Untill next week
All the best

Phil

Map of week 3 travels

2007-04-02T08:21:00.000-07:00

Another interesting week,

Firstly it was off to Melfort to unload then to Carrot river (a little south and east of Nipewan North east of Saskatoon) to load, through Rosetown to Olds a town between Red Deeer and Calgary, unload of to Calgary load, Prince George unload, up to McKenzie load, through Dawson Creek, Grande Prairie to Edmonton, change trailers back to Grande Prairie unload, load again and back to Edmonton

Again A week of new experiences and scenery

Phil

NOT SURE WHATS UNDER THE PLASTIC BUT I THINK IT MIGHT BE HEAVY

2007-04-01T16:56:00.000-07:00

Tri Drive Tractor at front of load

4 obvious axles front and rear of load

Tri Drive tractor at rear of load

6 or 8 axles under the load????

Click on the picture for a closer look

Phil

Week 3 on the Road

2007-04-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

Hello to you all again,

Things can catch you unexpectedly in the cold!!!

How cold can it get in the cab, well if you park for the weekend it can get cold enough to freeze the soda water in a bottle in the cab, I must admit I left one of the windows down about 12mm (1/2 an inch) but it was cold!!! and it took a few hours with the heater on full hot for it to thaw

On Monday morning I awoke to a brisk -20 degrees with a wind chill factor of about -30
to unload on a compressed snow/ice surface. All went well getting into the unload area with 24 tonne of paper on the trailer, things were different when I went to leave, the truck moved about 10 meters and then a high spot of ice, a whole 50mm high, all the wheels would do was spin, even with diff lock,

I will allow you to use your imagination for what it is like to fit the chains on the tyres crawling around on the ice. (you soon learn what the expression of "be effecient" and "don't waste time" means!!

Ever wondered how you tip a 53 foot (17.5 meter) long trailer with 20 tonne of wood chips??

Over here they reverse onto a specially designed platform, disconnect the tractor and tip the platform

This is not the best of angles to see this unit but if you look hard you can see it is a

Twin steer
Tri drive

Tri trailer
Not sure of its gross load capacity

Phil

The SNOW IS GONE

2007-04-01T15:14:00.000-07:00

3 photos taken over the last 3 weeks

10/03/07

24/03/07

Yesterday 31/03/07

Phil

2007-03-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

Hi all, Well my week is not nearly as adventurous as Phils was. I did a few trip to the Mall just for exercise really. I have been doing a lot of sewing. I went to a Ladies Bible Study with the church we are attending. After Bible study I helped out for a few hours organising cupboards and cleaning in the kitchen. Then I helped a lady cook for a single parents group which is run by the Church. There were about 60 adults and kids there. They come for dinner 2 times a month and get some living skills help, as well as encouragement and help were needed. It was fun to be back in a large kitchen again. Phil and I spent last Saturday walking
around THE MALL. The top photo is of Phil and I, obviously, outside a section of the Fantasy Motel. The rooms above us are used as conference room. The photo below shows a part of the Deep Sea Adventure in the mall. It has submarines, a seal show, paddle boats. This is not the swimming centre it is somewhere else. There is a pirate ship also that you can walk on and hire out for functions. It would be interesting to go into the belly of the mall to see how all these things operate. They are starting to shoot a movie at the mall which is about a little girl who gets lost in the mall on Christmas Eve. All the Christmas decorations are still up for the movie. It is coming out at the end of the year.

I have made some enquiries about Therapudic Clowning and am waiting for the "clowns" to get back to me about a workshop in April. These clowns visit childrens hospitals and entertain the kids and their families. The workshops are mostly about understand childrens needs, medical considerations and basically how to make people laugh which can help with their healing. i had to explain that cause I'm sure some of you are saying that I don't need to learn to be a clown. I have to think of a suitable clown sudo name?????!!!!

I went to the biggest craft shop I have ever seen. It would be about the size of Big W in Tamworth. It had every craft you can imagine and then some more. I needed some supplies for a pin cushion I am making and every thing I needed was there. I spent 2 hours there and could have spent more time easily. What a resource for the teachers out there!

It is warming a little here. The snow is melting gradually and is still very messy. It did snow again on Tuesday night but apparently it continues to snow throughout the year, every now and again. Okay guys have a great week and keep emailing or leaving messages on the blog site as I look forward to reading them each day. Tina

Week 2 on the Road

2007-03-17T19:32:00.000-07:00

Hello to all again,

It has been a spectacular week for me on the road.
(Click on the map or photos if you want to enlarge them)
My loads have taken me from Edmonton to a place called Carmen (45 minutes south west of Winnipeg) in Manitoba, boy is it flat in Manitoba, I mean flat, that is dead flat, for miles and miles, and miles and miles (as far as you can see) It is easy to see why people thought the world was flat and you would fall off the edge if you walked far enough, then to Teulon (45 minutes north of Winnipeg) then to North Battleford back to Edmonton then through the Rockies to Prince George via Jasper then north to Mackenzie and back to Edmonton.
It is aprox 2200Klm from Teulon to Mackenzie.

At the beginning of the week the locals were saying spring is here, the temp rose to 4 or 5 degree's the snow was melting, it is amazing how quickly the snow dissapears when the temp rises above 0 degrees. The weather here is unpredictable and I woke Wednesdy morning to -8 degree's and by 9.00am it was snowing, it lasted for about 50-60 klm and was then clear all the way to Mackenzie and back to Prince George. Friday morning at Prince George it was a warm -2 degrees and snow was falling. I fell almost all the way to Jasper, Made the trip interesting but tiring as it required all my concentration, every thing was white, the road, the side of the road, and at times it was hard to work out where the road lanes actually were so you estimate and keep clear of all the dangers you can see.

I was informed by the locals about the cold, apparently this area has very low humidity and the humidity level has a big impact on how cold it feels, the higher the humidity the colder it feels. One local said at -5 and high humidity you wish it would be -10 and low humidity. the other thing is if the sun is out and there is no wind, it feels about 5 degrees warmer than the recorded official temperature, as the official temperature is taken in a shaded covered box and is the actual air temp not including radiant heat from the sun.

This photo is of the flaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat Manitoba landscape the next one is of part of the trip from Prince George to Jasper when it snow most of the way,

There was spectaculer snow covered Rockies, words cant describe them, but as a clasic song says "A picture paints a thousand words", so I hope you enjoy my 4000 or so words above and below

Will post again next week hopefully.

Phil

2007-03-11T15:46:00.000-07:00

Well as you see I havent lost my dress sense or my charm or sophistication. This was our lounge brought from Ikea flat packed and Phil and I had to put them together. Well actually Phil did most of it I just lounged around! This actually is the lounge room.

Lots of people have said to us that moving to Canada at least they speak the same language as we do. Well here are some Australian words, phrases never heard in Canada.

White coffee, biscuit, capsicum, mince (why would you put fruit in spagetti), apricot chicken, boot, shopping trolley, sorbelene, chemist, caravan, candlewicking, lollies, panadole.
Translation: coffee with cream, 2% or 1% or skimmed, cookies, red peppers, ground beef, never heard of, trunk, cart, sorbelene (even the pharmacist has never heard of this one) drug store(which sells groceries and any other house hold goods), RV, never heard of, candies and once again never heard of.

Mind you people have a good laugh at my speach and think my sayings are cute. I dont need to study Clown Doctoring over here if something so simple will make people laugh. A sense of humour is truly a treasured gift to have.

Tomorrow if I can negotiate the buses, I am going to a leaf craft day. They have dried leaves and use them to make all sorts of pictures, like little animals, people etc etc. It will be interesting and something I have never seen before. Hook rugging is very big here.

Okay sorry to rattle on, until next adventure.

Tina

Sorry I've been snowed under!!!!!!!

2007-03-11T14:40:00.000-07:00

Hi all, Sorry I've been snowed under. Since we have left Saskatoon I have been trying to set up our apartment. Without a car or knowing actually where anything is it isnt as simple as it sounds. West Edmonton Mall in Humugous but if you dont know where anything is it can be also hazzardist to your health trying to negotiate shopping. They actually dont have a grocery store in there, they have a few basic items but not many. All I actually wanted was a Big W and a Woolies to help me set up a kitchen bathroom and bedroom. But I have survived to tell the tale and I have most necessities now. I had to buy my self a Grandma pull trolley thingy to help get all the shopping home. It is a 10 minute walk through the snow to the Mall. Today a lady at church loaned me her sewing machine, so im feeling much better now. Yesterday I went to a "quilting shop" called Earthly Goods. (look it up on the net) and of course I had to start a whole new stash so I brought fabric for the "Clotted Cream" table runner in Kerry Swains book from Cottage on the hill. Hopefully I can run that up tonight and tomorrow. And yes Ladies I brought country colours, just carnt help myself. It was so lovely to go to the fabric shop. I realised I was having fabric withdrawals when I started drooling over the fabric and murmering, fat quarters over and over again. The cost of fabric is around $14.50 - $16.50 a metre. So you add around 10% to convert to Australian dollar.

I spent a morning this week having coffee in THE mall. It was ice skating day for people over 65.(yes there is an ice skating rink in the mall) It was such an amazing experience to see these folk skating. Some of them were figure skating and it was incrediable. Brought tears to my eyes to see the joy and freedom it brought them to skate. Some of the folk were over 80 and were having a ball. They played some waltzes for them and some old fashioned songs which was also a treat to listen too. Not sure if this or the fabric shop was my high light for the week.

The photo is my gorgous Grandson Elijah who is 4 months now. Tim and Kate send me photos each week of him. You ask how I could leave him, some days I ask that as well. But when we go back I will have some interesting adventure stories to tell him.

March is called Messy Melting month. While the weather is warming (+5) the snow has started to melt. It is quite messy and wet. If you go bellow zero during the night the water freezes again and you get slippery ice and that is very difficult to negotiate.

Well my friends I have another photo for you but forgot to add it last time so you will get two lots of blogs this time.

See ya later Tina

Week 1 On the Road

2007-03-10T18:08:00.000-08:00

Hello to all,
Its been an Interesting week on the road!! Monday was a -8 day but all at the depot gave a very warm welcome. I was allocated a tractor (Canadian for Prime mover) a Trailer with a load to deliver to Swift Current, (overall length 22.5 meters, Aus runs 19 meters max for a single). The tractor is a Kenworth with 1.5 million Klms on the clock but seems to move along ok. It is speed limited to 68 miles per hour (109 klm/hour) which is the max speed allowed on the freeways. It was interesting speed limiting is not mandatory like in Aus and I was passed by a couple of rigs when I was max speed.

From Swift Current I was sent to Saskatoon for a load to deliver to Lannigan (130 Klm east of Saskatoon) then back to Saskatoon change trailers and back to Edmonton and unload.
It was now Thursday morning and another trailer and off to Drumheller (a place with its own Micro climate and dinosaur skeletons) I have marked it on the map as the circle south east of Red Deer and on to Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House (a township) and back to Edmonton to load to deliver somewhere towards Winnipeg, in Manitoba (the province east of Saskatchewan). Its a 1200-1300Klm (800-850) mile run (even though Canada is Metric a lot of things are in imperial due to the trade with the United States) and all my pay is calculated on Miles traveled

During the week the temp varied from -13 with a wind chill factor -16/-18 to a very hot +8 one day. It is unbelievable how hot 8 degrees feels after a couple of freezing snowing weeks. Today it got to +5 and it was shirt and jeans as I walked about 5 ks to a shopping centre north of Edmonton Mall

This Photo is of the north Saskatchewan River and it is frozen over. The landscape is spectacular with all the snow covering, and frozen rivers etc. So far no Icy roads to create havoc and I hope that i avoid them over the next couple of weeks. Apparently this is the time for Black Ice the snow melts and sits on the surface of the road and as night falls and the temp drops below freezing the water freezes and can be treacherous. the same can happen with a light fall of rain.

I Hope you all have a great week where ever you are whatever temperature you are in

Phil

Legal to Drive

2007-02-27T16:55:00.000-08:00

Well as Tina mentioned it was a coooooold start yesterday morning!!!!!!!!
As well as a cold morning I had to be at the Depot at 7.00am to connect the Tractor to the trailer and do all the required inspections and be at the SGI (equivelent to the RTA in NSW) examination centre before 8.00am.
It was an interesting start as the yard was so iced up we had to use chains to be able to get the trailer out or its location. Diff locks were not sufficient so a chain on 1 tyre was used and Diff locks engaged (Diff lock Locks the 4 drive wheels to turn at the same revolutions). we only had to move 30 -40 meters and then were on fresh snow which allows sufficient traction to get out of the depot. The driver assesment test went ok,
I passed which was good as it allows for us to leave for Edmonton as we had planned.

The sign was interesting, actually the river had lumps of ice aprox 600mm x 300x200 floating down it. I wasn't tempted to go against the signs recomendation.

Man its cold!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-02-27T16:36:00.001-08:00

I made the mistake of taking my gloves of to get some photos for you guys. It was -20 at around

10.30am. I then had to make a rather long phone call to get the power connected to our flat in Edmonton and didnt realise I would get so cold. It took me 6 hours to thaw out. I wont do that again. But I must admit it was worth the beautiful photos. The first photo was taken just straight up through the trees. When the wind blew a little the flakes of snow would fall and look like tinsel in the sunlight. It was just amazing. The other photo is of the street, Im glad Im not driving at the moment. I just think I will observe at the moment. On Thursday we go back to Edmonton and start our Big move. 4 bags wont take long to unpack. We get the phone and internet connected on Monday afternoon, Tuesday in Australia. Havent found any more patchwork shops but until we find furniture etc I guess I wont be doing any fabric shopping. I have finished a stitchery,which I will frame of poka-dot ladies, my first decoration for our unit. Well must go, today was -22 degrees but the sun was out, so didnt seem as cold, mind you I wore 2 sets of gloves today. Bye

Truckin Canada

2007-02-21T15:49:00.000-08:00

Yeaterday and today were spent passing the 5 theory tests on road rules and about 8 hours driving. The Tractor (prime mover) as the locals call them, is a Western Star and thankfully the trailer is only a 45 footer not the standard 53 footer which will be the size I will be hauling around Canada and the States. It is quite taxing on the other side of the road but the instructer seems to be pleased with how I am adapting. One of the difficult things for me is I dont know the roads and how many lanes are normal on them. When it gets icy and slippery the local council dumps sand on the ice and covers the road markings, the locals know if it is 1, 2, or 3 lanes but it is a guess for me and so far i have generally guessed 1 too few. The snow is built up on the edges taking some of the lane but the locals still have 3 lanes if it is a three laned road. As you drive along there are sections where the road marking are visible and the lane is 1/3 into the next marked lane.The instruction is to stay in the location the general flow is going.
Had to do a rather quick stop for some lights and had my first experience of stopping in slippery conditions, the tractor pulled up straight but i managed to have the trailer slide and take 1/2 the next lane. Providentually there was no one in that lane.

Phil

No chooks on this snowy photo!!!!!!! There is a pun in that.

2007-02-21T15:27:00.000-08:00

This photo is a bit out of order, mind you it would be lovely if all our family were with us. This is the morning we left waiting for the train. Kylie looks like she is ready to leave with us, but she was the nominated bag carrier.!!!

Yesterday I went for a 8km walk in search of the Fabric shop. When I got there it was like Spotlight, exactly like spotlight but smaller. Couldnt find a thing. The fabric on special was only for members. So I took it as a day of excercise instead of a day of inspiration. It is cold here but nothing like I thought it would be. You just rug up take your coat and gloves of everytime you go into a room, shopping mall etc.

I have done a lot of sewing having finally finished my WOW quilt after 2 1/2 years. Sorry, no chooks to display my quilt with just snow. I had to take it out to show the snow and the quilt.
I also have basically finished 4 tea towels I had ready for family gifts 2 years ago that I hadnt finished, so they are ready for our new/old apartment in Edmonton. Sorry family you miss out. See ya Tina

2007-02-21T15:21:00.000-08:00

My First Day at Work

2007-02-19T15:22:00.000-08:00

I had an interesting day today. We woke to -13 with a plan to be on a bus at 7.05, change to conecting bus at 7.30, and be at the training centre at 8.00am to start with time up my sleeve. Buses don't start on public holidays (family day today, new to this province this year) till 9.00 am. So a brisk hour and 10 min walk still had me the first to arrive. In fact the only one to arrive apart from trainer. A bit of paper work then start on the trucks. 4 prime movers were parked in the shed at a warm 25 degrees, as I was reversing one out the drive wheels hit the ice and there I sat. After some effort I got the truck back in to shed and was advised to take a gentle run up. After connecting tractor to trailer it started to snow. Next 40 mins were quite cool ( not the way Kylie and Josh use cool) but believe it or not quite enthusing, (still -10 degrees.)
Phil

Hi all , stayed at home and did my hand sewing and tried to navigate cable TV, 50 to 60 channels. Tomorrow Im going shopping to a fabric warehouse where there is a 50 to 70% sale on. There is a beautiful husky dog outside our cafe window rolling in the snow having a lovely time. I'm Just waiting for an indian cheif to come along. Robynne I will send some cool down to Lightening Ridge!!!!!! I just ordered a hot chocolate and it came smothered in chocolate cream, yummy but!!!!!!!!!!! See ya Tina

Where on earth we are!!!

2007-02-18T10:51:00.000-08:00

The circles are locating Edmonton and Saskatoon to show where we are at the moment and where we have been to assist in your plans for visiting us

2007-02-16T19:32:00.000-08:00

I think I could get used to this.!!!!!!!!

I forgot to mention our apartment is 5 mins

from West Edmonton Mall, Biggest mall in the

World.

2007-02-16T19:30:00.000-08:00

Out of our Bed and Breakfast window.

2007-02-16T19:05:00.000-08:00

Walking to the bus stop, after it had been snowing.

-26 unbelievable

2007-02-16T18:46:00.000-08:00

Well what do we say???? Arriving at -26 was quite a shock, snow was as far as the eye can see.
The Air China flight was just fantastic and our over night stay was at a Golf Country Club which was very posh. Phil and I have get an apartment and all the official paper work done and tomorrow we are of to Saskatoon (8 hour bus ride) for Phil to start his training. The folk in Canada are just so friendly it is unbelievable. It snowed today which ment it was warmer and was just magical. Im thinking of making my own Christmas Card collection because that is what it reminds me off. It was lovely to hear from you Robynne a letter and address is coming when i figure out the postal system. Kerry we were 2 days short of Asias New year so plenty of decorations that reminded me of what you were trying to do for Nicoles birthday. Well hopefully I will down load some photos if it works. Of course I have found time to buy Elijah (grandson) an outfit, because winter sales are on he might end up with a wardrobe full. See ya.

2007-01-21T23:15:00.000-08:00

This is overlooking Banff from Sulphur Mountain. We braved a gondola ride up here.

2007-01-21T23:10:00.000-08:00

This is Lake Louise in September. We climbed 4km to a tea house. Just amazing. The tea house is closed over winter. The people working there have to be helicoptered in at the beginning of the season and out at the end.

Still packing

2007-01-21T12:42:00.000-08:00

We have 2 chairs, an esky, a matress, a computer and of course as everyone has the day before you move out, a light box! left in the house. I havent finished tracing patterns onto my patchwork squares yet. I should have had my priorities right in the first placeand left the packing and cleaning till it was finished.
Well Edmonton was -14 degrees today. It will be interesting to arrive on the 13th February in our jeans and sloppy joes. Aparently even my wool blend coat isnt enough to protect me.
We sold heaps of things over the weekend including out transport so that will be interesting to see how we get around in Tamworth for the next couple of weeks. One couple who brought our industrial sewing machine and ute, have just come back from Canada. They sailed there in their own boat which they actually built. Kerry you will be interested to know they went via Japan then sailed onto Canada. When they got there did some looking around then went up to Alaska and got stuck there for a year. They had a fantastic time, getting to know the locals in a port where they lived on the boat in the cold. And I thought Phil and I were adventurous!!!!!! After a very long few days it was a pleasure to meet them and a refreshing change to talk to such motivated, adventurous and free spirited people. Perhaps Phil and I could sail home???
When I work out how to put some photos on I post some high lights of our trip in September.

Still packing

2007-01-04T01:53:00.000-08:00

Well the house has been sold, the cupboards packed, we are living out of an esky and pretty tired. A bit over a month till we leave for a very different lifestyle. We swop 40 degrees with
-25 degrees, a big house for a small apartment, and our car for public transport. Mad, well maybe we will tell you when we get there on the 13th February 2007.