Burns Night & Med Hat Tigers....

Friday 28 January - Chris and I attended the annual Burn's Night held in the Offr's Mess. The mess had been decorated in a Scottish theme with coates of arms adorning the walls all of which had been covered in material, tartan runners were laid down all the tables, a false fireplace had been erected with antlers each side and a picture of the Queen and Rabbie Burn's.

The team of organisers had worked extremely hard and transformed the mess. On entering the mess a 'young Rabbie Burns' was working hard on his poetry, although his poems were a little flaky! Robert Burns was born 25 January 1759 - 21 July 1796, he was also known as Rabbie Burns, Scotland's favourite son. We were all piped into dinner where we enjoyed a traditional dinner of haggis with tatties & neeps - lovely.

The dinner commenced with the address to the haggis and the immortal memory- all in Scottish obviously, some of which went totally over my head (a foreign language to most of us). Throughout the dinner several people stood up either reciting a poem or addressing the laddies & lassies. Also members of the Medicine Hat Scottish Country Dancers kindly came and danced for us all, all very entertaining. Eventually the dinner finished and it was time to take to the dance floor for some reeling. Chris, as always at Burns Night, declined from reeling so I found myself a partner and managed to do a few dances, not particularly well but great fun. We got home at 2.45am after a fantastic night. It is still very strange, but lovely, going out in DJ and posh frocks with your snow boots on and snow falling as you drive home.

Unfortunately the remainder of the weekend I was ill and stayed in bed, hence Chris was in charge and took Tegan and Fraser on Sunday to Ralston Arena to meet the Medicine Hat Tigers - much to Fraser's excitement. Although when it came to skating with guys from the team Fraser suddenly became shy.







My Heart's In the Highlands - Robert Burns

Farewell to the highlands, farewell to the North
The birth place of Valour, the country of Worth;
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.

My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart's in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer;
Chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe,
My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go.

Sylvan Lake...

Friday 21 January - International Pot Luck Supper. Laura (the Base Commander's Wife) and a group of girls organised an international pot luck supper for all the girls in the village which took place in the Jubilee Arms basement. The intention was to bring along as many different dishes from around the world - not sure where my pasta salad really comes from!! Laura and her band of helpers did an amazing job decorating the basement and providing us all with games to participate in. My favourite was the indoor curling - the girls had improvised curling to 4 frozen plastic containers with the bottoms cut out with solid ice inside and 4 floor mops thus throwing the ice containers across the floor to a brilliant marked out zone. There was also a general knowledge quiz and a random game of what you have in your handbag - great if I'd read the advice not to change handbags before coming to the evening; unlike me who got out my tiny bag that contained lipstick, perfume and not much else. By the time I left for my little walk home the snow was falling, something that has happened much more frequently compared to last year. This was slightly concerning as we were due to leave for Sylvan Lake, Red Deer north of Calgary the following morning.

Saturday morning arrived and the village was yet again covered in more snow; approx another 10 centimeters had fallen. Not to be put off (we are in Canada you know) we shovelled our way to the car, loaded everything in and set off to Sylvan Lake, just outside Red Deer which was approx 31/2 hours away. The first part of the journey from here to Brooks was very gentle journey as the highway was littered with cars that had come off the road and into snow drifts. Slightly worrying when we saw a tanker overturned on the road, which by looking at it had only recently happened. So with plodding along very carefully we made our way up to Calgary and then North to Sylvan Lake. Friends Dave & Helen had very kindly invited us up to Sylvan Lake to go and watch the Red Deer Rebels against the Moose Jaw Warriors. We met Dave and Helen at Sylvan Lake where we put on our skates and had a go at skating on a frozen lake. So many times we have told Tegan and Fraser not to go near a frozen lake as it is dangerous, however, this was a bespoke area organised for skating; there we were encouraging them to skate and play hockey - how fab was this!!! It really was great, there were two areas that had been cleared for skating, along with people out on their skidoos whizzing across the frozen lake, guys in their fishing huts who had drilled holes in the ice to fish (who in their right minds would want to sit in a tiny tiny hut on ice trying to catch a fish!!??) the whole lake had an amazing community feel about it. So after a while skating and playing hockey - according to Fraser the boys won - we headed to Dave and Helen's house to drop off our bags.

Then it was into the cars for a 15 min drive into Red Deer to the ENMAX Centrium stadium. After buying our tickets we walked into an amazing stadium with all the hustle and bustle before a game. Tegan and Fraser's faces were alight with all the noise and things going on. Our seats were up in the gods so after a Everest climb we took our seats ready for the game, before deciding we needed some food and refreshments. As always the atmosphere in the ice hockey stadiums is amazing not only with the music playing but the loyalty of all the teams supporters there to shout and cheer the loudest - absolutely brilliant. Pleased to say that the Red Deer Rebels won the game with an exciting finish - Moose Jaw Warriors pulled their goalie in order to put another player on the ice in an attempt to get a goal - however the Rebels made a long shot down the ice and into the unattended goal - huge cheers from the crowd, including all of us.

So back to Dave and Helen's and kids to bed whilst we sat up drinking and chatting until 2am - needless to say it was a slow start Sunday morning, Helen very kindly providing much needed bacon sandwiches. On the way home we called into Cross Iron Mills - a large indoor shopping mall in Calgary - Fraser wanted to look at skate boards - his new thing and is currently saving all his pocket money towards one - here comes the summer - as I write this it is -43degrees!!! A great weekend enjoyed with very good friends.

A Week Of Snow....

10 January - the week has been an endless 'dumping' of snow. 7am on Monday morning it was announce on the BFBS morning radio show that school was closed due to the roads being inaccessible, at this point Fraser punched the air and shouted 'yesss'. So with a slow start to the day we eventually made it across to the gym (trudging through thigh high snow on the kids, at one point it was easier for them to crawl than walk) in order for me to do a Zumba fitness class whilst Tegan and Fraser ran round the gym with friends. Later that day we went out again to play on the massive snow pile at the edge of Porton Place, this is a cul-de-sac and the snow plough drives round the circle and leaves all the snow in one large pile at the end, perfect for sledging. Sam kindly then fed all the children tea and before I knew it the none school day had suddenly disappeared, not so bad.

Tuesday 3 of us made a quick dash out of the village in order to buy in provisions as it was reported that it would snow for the remainder of the week and there really is only so much you can buy in the Canex, it is not famous for its fresh produce or range of goods (however it can be very handy at times). So we called into Costco and not only came out with food but also 7 boxes of snorkel, masks and flippers, Spring coats, swimming costumes, sledges and an inversion table.

That night the Icemen played the Chieftans. It was also the decision making night for who had grown the best mustache in the Icemen team. Most of the team members had taken up the challenge and grown some either very hideous caterpillars or some 'barley there' ones. Some of us Icemen wives donned mustaches whilst watching the game. The winner was announce in the pub later that night - 'sexy' Dave won with not only a very large caterpillar but also handlebars up his face. Thank goodness Wednesday morning Chris was freshly shaven and looking good again.

Wednesday and the remainder of the week the snow returned each day gently covering the village deeper and deeper. Walking Jinx has become more of a work out as it can be hard work walking through the snow, then again at -27degree Jinx isn't too keen to go out for very long.

The weekend started around midday for me with lunch at Noo's followed by an afternoon in Sam's hottub with a small bar to hand in the snow. We all then continued the motion with the guys coming round and us all pulling together supper for the kids and adults. The night followed on with Wii Dance and Wii Sing - brilliant fun. Saturday Tegan went round the village with the Girl Guides collecting recycling whilst Fraser went to his ice skating lesson. Chris and I then went to do the Saturday shinney - always good exercise. That evening whilst I relaxed on the sofa watching Eclipse Chris attending a leaving dinner in Medicine Hat. Sunday was a quiet day with a family trip to the swimming pool to test out the new snorkel & mask.
So with the snow falling frequently and lots of shovelling of snow to keep our path and driveway clear January is passing by quickly. The village is also packed with deer wondering around. The deer are becoming very confident and happy to come right up to the houses to get food. It is a wonderful sight as you get up in the morning to see the deer sitting at the front of our house quite happily snuggled into the snow. Along with the deer with have the 'hard as nails' rabbits, they litter the cul-de-sac quite happy hopping along.

First Week Back in Ralston 2011....

First week back in Ralston since all the Christmas and New Year excitement and still as busy as ever. Chris went back to work on Tuesday and Tegan and Fraser back to school on Wednesday - so some normality is slowly returning. The Icemen met up for training on Wednesday and in true squaddie style they did 21/2 hours of training/shinney - great for the body after not playing for several weeks, along with another shinney Friday afternoon.

Monday & Tuesday Tegan and Fraser finally got round to playing with some of their Christmas gifts. Fraser spent several hours on a crystal mining set - slowly chiselling away at a block of rock - or rather in Fraser's way beating it hard. He finally gathered 13 rocks and was delighted at cleaning them all and lining them up. Tegan began sewing her bag - her first go at sewing - it could take quite a while to complete, but is looking good.

Wednesday I had my first trip back to the physio to see how my wrist/arm is progressing. Obviously skiing has been a great form of physio and my wrist is healing really well. Back to ice hockey for me then next week.
Saturday morning we woke up to a blizzard ragging throughout the village. Tegan and Fraser were due to return to their skating classes but everything was cancelled. Slowly the village disappeared as the snow grew higher and higher. Chris ventured out to take Jinx on a very short walk by which time Jinx's face was frozen from the snow and Chris couldn't see the village or anything else. So we shut all the doors and stayed inside. We didn't appreciate how bad the weather actually was until we heard stories of cars overturned on the highway and a Greyhound coach that had been in a fatal accident about 2 hours up the highway causing the road to be closed. Several people from the village who were due to return have had to book into hotels anywhere they can find them.

Sunday the Devils ice hockey team were due to host their annual PSP match. This is where the 1st year Devils get to play against the PSP staff (Canadian gym staff) which is a comedy to watch. Again due to the weather this was cancelled but in its place was a Devils shinney - much to my delight this meant I could return to the ice and get a game - exciting after 3 1/2 months of not even stepping on the ice. We had a fantastic game - Blacks vs Reds and everyone was in good spirits. It had also been arranged for a pot luck Sunday roast to take place after the PSP match so this carried on with about 80 people going to the basement for lunch. Due to all the time changes Chris stayed home and cooked all the parsnips (my contribution towards the lunch) and swept our pathway for 11/2 hours whilst I played ice hockey. We then all went for Sunday lunch and had a great afternoon with friends in the village. The Medicine Hat Tigers were also due to come to the arena but again this was cancelled due to the weather - fingers crossed they will reschedule as Fraser was so excited.
It is a wondererous thing living in Canada and experiencing so many different things - everything from the blizzards where you step out of your door and sink knee deep to having some deers pop along for a bit of a snack. Thursday afternoon I was sweeping the path, a daily ritual almost when along walked a couple of deers, so I couldn't resist cutting up an apple and feeding them.

Rec Ski - Canmore...

26 Dec - Boxing Day we were up at a reasonable time, sorting out the house and packing the car yet again with all our ski equipment, bags and Jinx. Then it was off to Canmore for a week of Rec Ski - the General Fund in BATUS kindly provides skiing at subsidised cost with tuition during the ski season for all military personnel and dependants. It is not quite so much of a holiday more a chance to get good ski tuition with few people in each group. Boxing Day was a friends daughter's 5th birthday so as soon as we arrived at the Copperstone Hotel we deposited Fraser at Eleanor's party and then unpacked whilst he was playing.

27 Dec - Monday morning we were all up at 6.15am - we were sharing a 3 bedroom condo with Sam & Andy. Chris set off to walk Jinx whilst I was sorted out breakfast and made packed lunches with Sam before we left the hotel at 7.15am - still very dark outside. The first day of Rec Ski is slightly more frantic as we have to get our passes in order to get onto the mountain and get Fraser register at Tiny Tigers. Tegan, Chris and myself were all in different groups whilst Fraser was booked into Tiny Tigers each morning including an hours ski lesson. Chris and I then took it in turns to look after Fraser in the afternoon - he very much wanted to ski with us and not stay in Tiny Tigers all day. So after a very long day we returned to the Copperstone and jumped into the hot tub - which is actually the size of a small swimming pool - great for all of us. The weather on the mountain on Monday was snow with very low visibility but warm well if you count -10degrees ok.

The rest of the week continued in the same routine, awake and up early (Tegan refusing to get up and Fraser announcing 'its toooooo early') ski all day, hot tub, supper and bed. We did however managed to play cribbage several nights (a new game to me but really good) and Sam & John came round for a few drinks a couple of nights. The weather remained to snow Mon - Wed hence giving us brilliant conditions to ski on, light powder on the pisted slopes making a slightly different experience than skiing at Whitefish. Sam was off snowboarding with Francesca, Tegan was in a group with her friends, I was having a great time with my group and Andy & Chris were off in the Advanced Group - or rather the crazy, off piste powder skiers, where you lost your skies under 4ft of snow and then had to dig them out!!!!

Thursday and Friday the sun came out with amazing crystal blue skies however the temperature plummeted going down to -27degrees (that is without windchill) - the scenery was breathtaking and skiing was totally different.

31 Dec - New Years Eve - Early evening Chris and I took the children into Canmore to visit the Pond. This is a real tradition in Canmore where all the locals meet to skate on the frozen pond, drink hot chocolate and eat hot dogs whilst a couple of bonfires burn and music is playing. It felt a very nostalgic thing to do and a great way to start New Years Eve. AJ & Kay also joined us on the pond along with their children and very kindly gave Tegan and Fraser some sparklers. Fraser & Tegan had a great time sliding along the ice until Fraser managed to fall a couple of times and bang his head. Suddenly we started to get very cold - it was approx -22degrees at this time so time to return to our condo and meet up with everyone else.

Before we knew it Sam T had conjured up a fantastic smorgasbord of delight (not bad from what was left in our fridge & cupboards) with Sam D bringing along more bits & pieces. And so we continued with New Years eve festivities, eating and drinking. We got to 10.30pm and then started to drain - so we turned the clocks to 11.58pm and duly celebrated the stricking of midnight with Auld Lang Syne and then went to bed. Chris and Andy decided to watch a film then just after midnight AJ & Kay arrived with a bottle of fizz to celebrate - finding the rest of us gone to bed - so the boys carried on.

We departed the Copperstone on New Years day and drove back to Ralston. We truly had a fantastic month of December spending time with so many good friends.

Christmas in Ralston...

So after our adventure in Whitefish we returned to Ralston for 3 days to enjoy Christmas at home. Chris popped into Med Hat on the 23rd Dec to buy all the vegetables and trimmings ready for Christmas Day and a few last minute christmas purchases. Christmas Eve we allwent out for drinks & supper at Stuart and Zoe's in the village and managed to sing a few carols around a real fire, although I did sing very badly! Then it was home for some frantic christmas present wrapping before leaving the obigatory mince pie, cookie, carrot and milk for Father Christmas.

25 Dec - Tegan and Fraser kindly woke up just after 7am then it was downstairs for bucks fizz and the opening of all the presents left by Father Christmas - it is a wonderous thing listening to the excitement and gasps of young children when Father Christmas has been and left so many presents. Once all the presents were open and Tegan and Fraser were happily playing with everything, although with the odd cry of 'please build this' we rang friends and family in the UK. Even Jinx had a present kindly sent from Tonia & Les, it didn't take her long to tear the paper off to find a selection of bones - yum.

It was then time to get dressed and go round to Sam & Andy's for lunch, as they had the largest house they had kindly agreed to host us all, along with Sam & John and all our children. There were 13 of us sitting down to lunch and with all the food that we had, another 3 families could have easily eaten. We ate like kings and drank lots of fizz and soon had tummies like the rolly pollys!! During the afternoon more friends joined us for drinks and games. By 9.30pm we were all finished and it was time for home - Boxing Day we were all driving up to Canmore to start Rec Ski on the Monday.


The 3 magnificant christmas day cooks - well done, the rest of us were pot washers or drink filler-upers!!