The sky is the limit??!!

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

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

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

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

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!!!

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

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

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

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

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