Winter

Well it's snowing again, that's getting pretty dull now isn't it.  So far I've enjoyed winter over here, I don't think it's been a particularly bad one but neither has it been a non-winter like last year. Since Boxing Day we've not really been without a sprinkling of snow but the house is warm and now we all have the right outside wear its just fine.

I think the big difference between here and the UK is that they are excellent at keeping the roads open, at least in this area anyway, and businesses are also very good at ensuring that their car parks and pavements are safe.  It makes life much easier if your car isn't snowed in, up a side road when the county council runs out of grit, especially when you've only got 5 nappies left.

Yesterday was Family Day which is a bank holiday here.  I googled it to see if it has some interesting historic origins but it seems to have been invented by the Governor of Alberta in 1990 because there was no other statutory holiday in February, whatever I suppose.

In Grand Bend it was also the annual winter carnival this weekend.  We accidentally saw the parade while sitting at traffic lights in the car, it was quite strange and seemed to consist mostly of firemen, people in lion costumes and pick up trucks with step ladders in the back.  Rose's 'only wish' was to go on a very cold horse and carriage ride in a blizzard which made me glad that cars have been invented, especially ones with heated seats.  Rose thought it was brilliant and was the only person who responded when the driver asked if there were any questions, she wanted to know where the horses went to bed and was amazed by the idea that they sleep outside in summer.

Goldie and June