Phoenix & Canmore ...

Guest editor. Having experienced the limited opportunities to play Golf last Summer, when someone mentioned a winter golf tour at work I was all ears. Golf in Alberta is a 6 month sport - the other six months of perma snow and frozen ground ensure courses close late October and don't open until at least April the following year. Sadly for me the 'open six months' coincide with the exercise season. 'So who's up for a week of golf in Phoenix?' was closely followed by 'I'm in..........once I speak with CinC Home Front!' Thankfully Clare being the great sport she is quickly agreed, a budget was set (she's always been that efficient) and before I knew it I and 7 other guys from work were on our way to Scottsdale, Arizona for a week of competitive golf. Ten rounds over six days at six different courses meant early starts and full days. Thankfully buggies were used throughout. Mikes Hard Lemonade was suddenly adopted as the tour sponsor with certain individuals partaking more than others in the sponsors beverage! The quality of golf varied, as did the difficulty of the courses and opposition, but somehow the result didn't really matter as sun and warmth combined with a few beers made up for it. A big thank you to Dave Short for organising a great week and congratulations to Mike 'Oh he's asleep again in a bar' Griffiths for being our overall winner.

Me again - last week was half term so we had a relaxing first part of the week as Chris was still at work. Then Wednesday evening we loaded up the car and set off to Canmore for 3 nights. We booked into The Banff Boundary Lodge which was perfect as it was similar to a small 2 bedroom house that also accepted dogs. Thursday morning after walking Jinx we set off to Sunshine Valley for a days skiing. Tegan and Fraser skied the whole day with us, although Fraser owned the mountain and watch out, he was coming through. The weather for both days was brilliant blue sky with temperatures around -8 degrees so not bad. Thursday night Sam & Andy (also staying in Canmore) invited us over to the condo they were staying in, along with other friends Paul and Jeanette and all the kids for tea - so after a few drinks and food we eventually got to bed happily worn out. Friday was the same again although Tegan and Fraser went into Tiny Tigers for a few hours so that Chris and I could ski a little more. We collected Tegan and Fraser and all skied off the mountain after another great day.

Oh yes before I forget Chris scored his first goal in ice hockey this week- that's one all in the Leonard house. Monday evening the Icemen played against the Chieftans with the score 4-3 to the Icemen - unfortunately the weather was not good that evening and the referees did not make it to the arena therefore the game was void - however Chris is still claiming his first goal - not bad considering he has only played 3 games.

So back to work and school this week. Friday evening we are having a few friends round to celebrate Chris' birthday. Although his birthday is actually on Saturday we will be packing that day before we are off on an early holiday before Chris starts the exercise season in April. Where??? .... I'll let you know next week.

Goal Scored ....

The White Devils had a game against the Orange Oilers (guys team) on Thursday night and I have finally scored my first goal, a great shot if I say so myself. Jill who plays centre took the drop and passed it to me and with a good whack in it went. It was a good match although the final score was 6 - 3 to the Orange Oilers but everyone played really well and we had a good group of girls supporting us - so lots of shouting! It was a brilliant feeling scoring so hopefully I will get lots more - I think I am finally understanding the game?

Friday morning I went into Tegan's school to do Fruity Friday - this is where a couple of mums go in and chop up lots of fruit to sell to the children for 50c each week. The school doesn't provide hot meals and their snack shop is basically muffins and candy - so Fruity Friday was started by two of the mums and has since grown in support. It turned out that it was also school assembly and Ken Merrit who was the Canadian soldier chosen to carry the Olympic torch for Ralston had come to talk to all the children. Ken gave a talk to the children during assembly and tried to answer all their questions, he was one of 12,000 Canadians lucky enough to carry the torch on its journey through Canada, finally ending at Vancouver. All the torch bearers were given the option to purchase the torch that they had carried for $400 each of course Ken took up the offer. After the assembly had finished Ken then visited all the grades and I luckily had my camera on me so all of Grade 1 (Tegan's class) got to have their photo taken holding the torch.

Chris has been in Phoenix, America all week playing golf with 6 other guys and by his telephone calls has had a great time, although a little tough as they have played 10 rounds of golf in 6 days!!!!! Hopefully photos will follow next week. He even got to stand on green grass wearing a t shirt - something that doesn't happen here at the moment as everything is just white, I think I remember what grass looks like!