Dear diary what a day it's been

Catch up with the year 2011

2011-12-24T15:36:00.001-08:00

Yuletide 2011- New Year 2012

To all who celebrate and join with friends and family at this time of year - we wish you a happy time. We are thankful to you all for sharing our interests. We are sad that we can't see you as 2011 turns into 2012 but wish you health, happiness and success for the coming year. We also hope we are better at staying in touch with you next year... was that a moose climbing a tree? a bear snuggled up by our roaring fire or a piggy flying by?

You'll have to click on this one to see it clearer... sorry about quality!

(L-R) Dan, Aliya, Bailey, Little-Me and John

I wanted to play you some music by a singer we saw at Engadine Lodge this year and then when I listened to it with the YouTube video playing I realized that it might be quite relevant as a seasonal anthem... So here it is to open up the blog entry....

Unfortunately I hadn't blogged on this blog for a blog of a time... and I now have more than 12 months to catch up on... My intention was to add 12 images one for each month but once I got going looking though our photo file (with John) we found we kept on pressing that upload button and now there are 12 for each of 12 months!

I know it can be tedious looking through family photos, even when they were taken by the best of photographers eh David, so if you can't stand it.... log out now! We can catch up in another way.

But if you like tedium stick with it if you can! It might just be fun...

We are all well and have had a good year after a difficult start. Losses can bring people together and we should be thankful for that. We shouldn't dwell on sadness, Evelyn wouldn't have wanted that so let's take a look at our year...

Dan has completed his course at The Vancouver Arts' Institute in Film and Editing.

The actors and crew - 'V' for Vendetta

Which you can find here

And Dan behind the camera

Dan and Bailey on holiday last Yule

He is now looking for work. And right at this minute is trying to find the cheapest way to upgrade his already amazing computer so that he can do colourist work on film from home while he looks for employment in the industry. Anyone got a high power machine they don't need or a grid they don't want? He will be living in Vancouver, and will have a sofa bed by the end of January and invites you to stop over.

Azure & Gold from Daniel Millson on Vimeo.

Al continues to grow apace and I am now the smallest person in the family, which is what I wished for. But they have promised never to talk down to me.

Aliya loves poetry, this one is for her.

John proves daily (in winter) that it is possible to skate on a bike and I am improving my juggling skills. Soon John and I will be able to apply for an opening in Cirque du Soleil.

So read on... and find out what 2011 was like for us... and do comment or email to tell us what you have been up to yourselves.

With much love,

Millson x4

Wintery wonderland

Al and me cross-country skiing across the mint green waters of Lake Louise.

To clarify!

There is an ice sculpture competition at Lake Louise each year. The crystal ball IS made of ice, honest! How it was created is a question only the Creationists can answer.

Away Days

Contextural, the artists collective I belong to, had a weekend retreat in Canmore, in the middle of the snowy season... I gave a workshop on "machining in thin air" in the afternoon whilst some of the more outdoor types went x-country skiing at the Nordic Centre.

Contextural friends - at the winter sale, 2011. It was held at a member's home and the kitchen was well-used for snacks and a seasonal tipple. I made enough money to cover the cost of a stamp to Britain!

January 2011

Al's birthday... she was 14 and had 5 candles (artistic license).

We still find the many varied forms of water captivating.

Shark Lake, near Engadine - after a good descent on our x-country skis.

Meanders of Ice,

Elbow River

March

Happy birthday Daniel

Wildlife in our back garden

We had 3 baby skunks in the garden, and the powerful scent of 100 foxes in the house, for far too long.

But my oh my they were cute to look at.

Ancient cave painting... illustrating how black squirrels have long been an important part of Calgary wildlife.

Western Tanager; a rare visitor.

A spectacular visitor to the garden, who polished off a fair few sparrows before leaving for warmer climes - Cooper's Hawk.

Nuthatch

Considering the number of times we have seen the Northern Flicker in our garden you would think we would have shots better than these of our favourite woodpecker, but no, this is the best I can do right now.

ADAD Residency 2011

Arlee and I dyed together (excuse the pun) at ACAD, below the drying racks of the wet studio.

Robin's Visit

Elbow Falls, Camera Workshop level 6.

Participants taking a sunny break for lunch during a Kreative Momentum workshop.

Robin during our visit to Elbow Falls

And the reason for the Union Jack flying in Canada is.....?

Thomas comes to Heritage Park, Calgary, once a year - with Annie and Clarabel of course.

Robin and I took off for a few days to the hot spots of Alberta - Lake Louise, Banff and so on. But later we also visited the southernmost part of Alberta - Waterton National Park.

Dangerous Wildlife - Waterton

Tree sniffing - Something Brits do whilst visiting Canada ... on Al's instruction... well you just have to once she tells you they smell like chocolate.

Al now Grade 6 Ballet

Can't believe Al has been dancing now for about 11 years!!!

The end of year Counterpointe Ballet Show. Al was in two dances.

Second from right, if you can't spot her yourself. Sorry for image quality but it was a bit dark in there.

After the ballet show an evening treat out....

Al was very happy to discover Gratitude Cafe in Kensington (Calgary) which serves Gluten free, Nut free and anything else free. Unfortunately it wasn't free.

John enjoyed? his first ever pirogue - Answer: Yes he did.

More Late Spring Hikes

Ptarmigan Cirque, Peter Lougheed Park, AB, Beautiful!!!!!

The scenery is so varied and we love the sheds of Alberta. Some of these ought to be protected sites. There is one woman who has taken it on to photograph so many of the barns and wooden structures before they disappear.

Summer Holiday

Spent time in Victoria for Canada Day and got ourselves on the Living flag and the front of the daily newspaper and John makes his debut on YouTube (though my sister says he shows some Mr. Bean-ish tendencies as he looks up to the fire stations mega-crane that was serving as mega-tripod for photography and stage for M.C.) Thanks Janice whoever you are....

Anyway that is us on the right corner of the far right point of the maple leaf, on the narrow band of white between red and white... you can see Al's hat (it is pink) in amongst the white.

Did I say we made the same newspaper, front page, but just above, Will and Kate...

John is standing to the front of the flag on the green, filming the event. Though not up the fireman's ladder! as you will see below...

Janice's video of John:-

We visited the Royal BC Museum - and were very impressed with the honest presentation of the despicable politics of this country... Al had learnt all about this in Social Studies at school but we were glad to be educated and see the degree of recognition of the past and reconciliation that has gone on and the attempts to improve the lot of First Nations people in Canada.

Then on to Sooke and Port Renfrew for a week of painting, reading, botany and photography.

Our summer holiday was spent on Vancouver Island and Saltspring and was just right for us... a bit of luxury, a lot of outdoor time, not too much driving in this vast country - and time to enjoy the culture, nature and light.

Why so many flags in Victoria BC - because it was Canada day and the little tugs (behind) were dancing (water ballet).

The most expensive afternoon tea in Canada, Empress Inn, Victoria. The chef came over to see us to make sure Al was getting a wonderful gluten free experience. We chatted and he explained that he used to work in Dubai and Oman!

Canada Day - the Parliament Building Victoria - 1898

Al inspecting a glacial pavement in Victoria city centre! It is best to do with your hands as you can actually feel the direction the ice moved.

Canada day fireworks as seen from our hotel window. For once John was right in paying a premium for the window view.

We searched out ancient trees ('First Growth') on Vancouver Island during out trip, exploring just the SW corner of the Island.

Us near the apiary Victoria.

That is a sea otter. Can you see it?

Luxury accommodation, to us - A yert in Port Renfrew, Vancouver Island

Woody World

Seems like this year was the year of the dog... I mean bark.

The tiny Rufus humming bird was a constant companion for Al, on Vancouver Island.

Beauty and the beast = not really, but... somewhat disconcerting.

Something right out of Dr Who... A fantastical dragon fly... and boy was it big.

John and I continue our good-humoured photograph challenge to each other.

Spot the Octopus.

Of course with a very expensive camera and a flexible UV filter you are going to cut out more glare, but where is the fun in that... now you can see the monster giant octopus more easily.

Al and I cannot get out of the habit of just jumping right into the wadi water... I mean the pot holes at Sooke, no matter what the temperature. We were joined later by 2 ladies one of them truly was... naked by the end of the afternoon.

The sort of place that Willie Wonker would get his ideas for outrageous sweets... these blueberry flavoured wine gums.

Lots of visitors this year - We hope there will be more in 2012

After British Columbia back to Calgary and the rain... Friends arrived from England via their coach tour of BC and AB, for a week of Millson hospitality. And...

A picnic at Elbow Falls.

Here we are walking the Sunshine Meadows in spring-time, where we usually ski in the winter. But this is late spring and the flowers were wonderful - especially the Pasque Flower = Prairie Crocus (below) and Glacier lily

Engadine Lodge

After walking, that day, we took Angela for a birthday treat to Engadine and listened to some live music. Below is a video of Chloe Albert singing Into the Bright Lights...

We have also heard John Wort Hannam at Engadine, who you had the opportunity of watching earlier in the blog.
Moose can be relied upon to put in an appearance there (at Engadine) either at dusk or in the morning. But on Angela's birthday they timed it right, to appear in the interval between dinner and the show.

Another time at Engadine we saw wildlife in action...Attenborough eat your heart out... young male (left) making a challenge to 'White Socks' (and failing).

And Narla is always part of the attractions at Engadine. Quite a show cat.

Cat the dancer at Kat Danser's set

Check out Kat's music above.

Al and Kat

Saltspring Island

It was certainly the year we fell in love with SaltSpring Island, BC and have made several visits there since. Trying to see it in all seasons.

The beautiful harbour of Saltspring.

John took himself off to the top of Mount Erskine one evening.

At the heritage farm the farm buildings are preserved as a nod to the past. These logs were hand-cut to create these marvellous joints.

Blackberry bushes grow in profusion and they are so pretty.

Bald Eagle, Saltspring Island

Al encouraging John to take a dip in the icy waters off the island.

UK - for a few weeks in August

Some getting back to our roots.

Some walking the NW coastline

Sketching, eating, fossil hunting

Climbing and abseiling at Stourhead with friends.

Return to Canada and back to work.

I have bitten the bullet and begun facilitating : I don't know what else to call it... I arrange for visiting artists to come to Calgary and teach. This workshop was located at the Alberta College of Art and Design's fibre department and featured Michael Brennand-Wood. He was an excellent tutor and house guest! This year I am hoping to host Jason Pollen another renowned artists.

Second visit to Saltspring

Thanksgiving holiday - The Beaver boat plane loading up ready to take us over to Saltspring Island.

Daniel came over for this visit also flying in by boat plane, later.

Dan continues to develop his artistic side, with images like this. Did I say this is an enchanted wood?

Stone skimmers at Skipping Stone Beach, Saltspring Island.

Chrissie came over from Comox to stay too.

A family of Sea Otters came to bid us farewell at the end of a wonderful Thanksgiving weakend on Saltspring.

Halloween and Dan's Mid Semester Break

Helena Bonham-Carter eat your heart out.

Daniel on a short break from college... He has a camera in front of his face as usual...

Making the most of the sunny warm weather.

On going through our photos I discovered that if you want to find Al during a holiday you need to look at the water's edge. Upper Kananaskis Lake looking towards Mount Indefatigable - Alberta

This appealed to me.

Soon it turned cooler.

Al and I take shelter behind a perfectly placed boulder Tryst Lake, Kananaskis Provincial Park, BC. And suffered a hailstorm.

The next morning - first snow of the season.

And shortly after that....John disarms a snowball bandit well known to the RCMP.

Early snow in Kananaskis Country (K-Country), Alberta. We were lucky enough to move in for our lunch after another party had left us their barbeque still lit... and warm.

Al's entry to the school photography competition - an amazing haw frost decorated the school's railings.

Al began her Duke of Edinburgh award with an overnight 'camp' in Kananaskis. Accommodation was in trappers' tents. These come fitted with heating stoves, beds and hard flooring... not quite what I call sleeping rough.

John's Work

John continues to go to exotic places to look at dirt (rocks). Flying to the far north, up rivers on speed boats... and so on, it's what you do for a living isn't it John?

Field work Athabasca River, Fort Mackay area, northern Alberta

Operations -20deg C, Grand Cache area, northern Alberta

It's all to ensure that you lot have gas(methane) for your hot water, gas(petrol) for your fuel guzzling cars and oil for everything else!

My work

The scene of a busy Kreative Momentum workshop. We welcome children who are sick and in need of a day off school.

My pleasure to hang some work in Canmore Hospital, waiting area and the adjacent treatment rooms.
I have also had work on show in the Epcor building - Theatre District of Calgary, Resolution and Framed on 5th Galleries. So I am very happy about these events.
Also I took part in ArtsPeak and made contacts for courses that I might give in the future.
I am now the Alberta Representative for the SDA - Surface Design Association, an international organization that is very active in my field. So lots to build on for the next year.

Also the arrival of Siri, shown left below, seems to have given our Wednesday sewing group and their workshops that I teach to members of the group, a real boost. I am now working on developing a good curriculum for 3-day (monthly) workshops for them beginning in January 2012.

Here are my two Norwegian friends who were kind enough to don their wonderful hand-made, hand-embroidered national costume on Norway's National Day for us to inspect and admire. Thanks so much M and S - and that is not the M'n'S you know and love; Brits out there.

Still more lovely sunny days out

After an artists' day out with the Wednesday sewing group I took the family, and a visitor from The Netherlands, to Okotoks... which does have an 'ancient and historic' centre after all. I thought you would like the architecture study - Angela.

A detail for you.

This is the sort of architecture we study these days. No saxon churches here. Queen Anne I believe.

We are still keeping an eye on the sorts of things that Deborah will have to be careful of, during her next trip to the land of the maples.

Here we go again - Calgary-Vancouver - Saltspring Air to Ganges

Nora and Karin in the enchanted woods on Saltspring

Did I say enchanted.....

woods?

Cue music from Close Encounters

This was the morning I was abducted by aliens outside Canadian Superstore. Just another Monday morning in an expat life. This is a sunrise with Sun Dog - caused by ice particles in the air - I think.

Usually sun dogs have a rainbow of light, to be seen on either side of the sun, with red light closest to the sun... But because this was a sunrise the red light is concentrated in a vertical line, straight up to the heavens... or am I wrong? We had better ask those Creationists again.

Preparations for Dan post post secondary

We have made several visits to Vancouver this year with Dan being at college there... he finished his course on December 22nd. John went over to sign contracts on Dan's behalf for the flat he will live in from January 9th, 2012 (As Dan doesn't yet have a job yet the 'realtors' won't accept a contract with him alone.... still not quite free of us then).

Dan's new home. (A sod house)

OK, I lied it is in fact on the 10th floor of the dark blue block visible in the distance... looking out to the city, yes it is surrounded by other high rises, but Dan tells me there IS a park nearby.

....and did I say enchanted?

The witching hour

2010-11-01T16:53:00.000-07:00

Spider-witch and friends before the witching hour

This guy told them to clear off - and leave the candy for the other kids!

Nice photo showing off hair extensions that took me the whole of the first period of the Flames game to put in, on Thursday, for the school's fancy dress time on Friday - and then again on Sunday..... But it was worth it.

Autumn Over

2010-10-29T08:16:00.000-07:00

I can't put her name - because of identity theft you know, but you all know who she is.
The leaves all came down and the neighbours all swept and swept to keep the lawns and drive-ways free of leaves. We don't understand. We like the leaves. Clearly this one loves the leaves. They know we are British because of the state of our garden!
Now it is winter. We have had two good rains of snow already. Not really dumps of snow... just rains that even white-washed the backs of squirrels as they house-sat the bird-feeders. Wish I had taken a photo for you. And yesterday there were car accidents all over the place and I didn't even notice any ice. John said it is a good thing I had the winter tyres put on last week. They say it is going to be a very bad winter... (some say 'good winter" not 'bad').
Still, it is raining in Vancouver, or, it is still raining in Vancouver - Eh Bert?

Sorry no time for Yellowstone

2010-10-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

Making a blog entry for Yellowstone is quite daunting.
So for now here is a quickie from recent days.

First my new flyer to advertise the workshops I run once a month from home. The students I have now seem to enjoy what we do and we certainly see talent and wonderful work being produced. Maybe one day they will do a show of their work.
I am starting to advertise the workshops more widely now so that I can repeat the class and make it more fruitful for me! $$$ (some hope).

One of the series I am working on which feature a view through the wing mirror as well as a view out of the window. This is an unusual train, it being only engines... usually there are 100s of containers/carriages between double engines, containers stacked double-decker style and even more engines mid train... The lamppost is a feature of the composition (ahem!) It splitting the image into thirds vertically - Oh Snap.

Pumpin cleaning of course - The first job of the day for the higher class of supermarket everywhere right now.

These have been in the news in Britain recently I believe. They are regular visitors to our garden and our resident "Squirrel Killer" Aliya has a routine now, when called up from her bedroom, which is downstairs... she stomps out to the back garden and waves arms and shouts to get the squirrels to remove themselves from the bird-feeders. After only one week they are now conditioned to move when they hear the back door open. Though they don't go far and are soon back for easy pickings... well, it is easier to help yourself from the bird-feeder, than to try to remember where, buried below the grass, you left your nuts months ago....

On Wednesday there was an 'agricultural' smell settled over Calgary... I don't know if it had anything to do with it but there were 100s if not 1000s of gulls in the supermarket car park at 8am. And a car drove towards them so I shot this one... not a good photo, but an aide memoir. (should that have an 'e' on it, Aliya? I think perhaps, yes).

Not the rest of Yellowstone... that is coming....

2010-10-18T10:42:00.000-07:00

October 17th Walk in Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area.
We wanted a short day out and walk in the beautiful though suddenly chillier Autumn day.
The Stitching Ladies had mentioned this place just south of where we live and it was tempting.

It was a beautiful place to be on a such a lovely day. Trails amongst the trees were snow covered but out in the open the sun was hot.

If I look hot and bothered it is because I am... that is a down jacket I have on over my ski jacket! I thought it was going to be 3 degrees and cold.

We drove out and visited Lloyd Park near Red Deer Lake... This is an old school house which only closed its doors in 1955.

While we were doing this Daniel was walking the waterfront in Vancouver and Al was enjoying being At Home alone.

This weekend: Sept - 18

2010-09-18T17:57:00.000-07:00

This is a woodpecker to me and a "Northern Flicker" to Al. You are right it isn't on a tree. This particular creature and its mate are having fun looking for the nuts that the black squirrels have 'hidden' for them in our lawn. Al and I have discussions about whether the birds are looking for the nuts (she says not) or the insects that have inhabited the rotting nuts (I say) or perhaps just insects in the lawn - who knows.

One thing is for sure squirrels and woodpeckers are not the best of buddies (I hope I can get a photo of the war between them at some point).

i know this photo isn't up to blog standard (neither is the woodpecker at higher mag. I hear you cry). But I couldn't resist showing you the carrots (Daucus carota to Al) that Al dug up today. They have had a frost on them so should be sweeter (according to CBC Radio). And John says I should put him out in the frost too... but he then realised it would take more than one frost to sweeten him up.

Thanks for the nice comments (via skype) about my previous blog entry.... please would someone get you all logged on as google users so you can comment directly online... it would be so much nicer to keep a record of what you guys say as well as the drivel I write.

Isn't blogging an excellent outlet for one who hasn't got a voice.

July - UK

2010-09-15T20:30:00.000-07:00

And so we took our leave of England and a very smart, newly thatched cottage and returned to Calgary for the second stage of our Summer Holidays - read on.....

I think this is Aliya's shot using my camera - B on lavender - not bad eh?

Dad took time to sort out Dan's clock. Why wont people just leave it alone! Anyway Dad thinks that there is a cog missing off one of the wheels which means it skips 5 O'clock. One day Dan you will get is mended I am sure.

When Deborah, Stephen and Dad visited us at the cottage, Margaret had to stay in Lancs to see to the Tatton Hall garden show. But we visited Stourhead and Gold Hill. Amongst other places.

I just love this cottage - recently renovated in Stourhead's gardens. A rare shot too as it includes John.

Our kids. How many memories are stored in the crook of those ancient limbs.

We do have wonderful forests to ski in, walk in and photograph but the oaks of England can't be beat. This is an oak, right Al?

This looks like the skin on my elbow but really it is a study for some more art I must get back into this soon.

And then Angela and Adrian arrived for a hike around Fonthill Bishop - after a decent lunch at River Barn of course.... It was a lovely day - see it wasn't really such a bad British summer was it... I see no umbrellas on this blog entry at all.

The National Trust were looking for volunteers to offer their support to the castle this summer. So we gave them the children - excellent buttressing kids.

The tuck shop next to the National Trust shop is always a favourite stop.

Next we met up with Steve and Romilly and that was sooooo great. Train-spotting from Corfe Castle, what a dream. (Yes, I am now an anorak - read subsequent posts to see how this happened.)

The old and the less old. The CIS Tower is a protected building... built in the 1960's it is the tallest office block outside of London (in England!). Take the above link to learn more eg., in 2005 Tony Blair the then Prime Minister switched on solar panels that had been added to the South side.

Manchester - redbrick. Victorian. Where is everyone?

Verbers and Keslers - Our time in the NW was spent visiting Evelyn, and the Millsons. But also across in Lancs we met up with The Verbers and Keslers, had a lovely time eating them out of house and home and then we tried to find coffee in Rhyll which now has been designated as an adjective as in "It's very rhyll" meaning dull (an understatement if ever we made one, JAM). Will this stimulate hate comments I wonder. This photo is on Llandudno pier... what a blast from the past being there was, and I think some of the metal work dates from that time when I was about 12.

More eating... the Ship Inn in Burcombe did very well out of us this holiday and no wonder, the food is excellent and the service delightful.

Next, the Waltons at the cottage - They very kindly drove over from the far South West...Lovely to catch up once again. Here, an action shot in Wilton House gardens. Will we ever outgrow the place.

First on our social agenda - Robin of course. This is a photo of a quick bite at our house... Catherine, Stuart, and Rosie joined us later... but we met up initially at Mompesson House in The Cathedral Close, Salisbury for a lovely afternoon tea (yes the focus was certainly on food).

But it all went very smoothly and here is Dan looking cool as viewed from under the rose and honeysuckle that garlands our cottage doorway.. note also the lavender and the hollyhocks. No rose-tinted glass memories for us... we create real tear jerkers for ourselves.

Fly to UK - Time at Calgary International airport was spent sorting out the iPhones - so that we didn't have to sell one of the children to pay the mobile phone bill on our return to Canada, it pays to plan ahead.

What' new?

2010-09-15T20:14:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged since last April. Amazing, of course so much has happened and some of it is on my work blog , so I shouldn't feel disappointed at my laziness.

So I am going to spend time updating this blog now with the summer's activities that involved our family and friends.

I will work forwards from the end of the school term and my residency at ACAD.

Please view "Terry's VideoBlog +" on Daniel's own website to get a feel for the trip in July. It was very mileage focussed and poor Terry got fed up with the motorway service stations.

These views summarize what we miss about Britain in the hardware sense.
In the software we miss our family and friends... so we tried to see as many of you as possible in a 14 day period... now that takes dedication. Thanks to all who put themselves out to make space for us in the prime time summer holiday period.

The Chrissie Weekend ( we did such a lot- didn't we)

2010-04-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

Our pleasure to host Chrissie Roberts whilst she attended and important conference in Calgary. What fortuoutous serendipity that the meeting was held in Calgary and we could see our good friend of 20 years in our newest home.

And we made the most of it.

In Calgary - Very co-ordinated attire

This is the ceiling at Marccelo's: take my advice - Calgary is the business district of Alberta... and there is no food left after 1pm. We had lunch with John and then went for a stroll to see some art...

Wonderful - Avatar-esque sculpture in an area of Calgary that I hadn't walked before. Check out Aliya for scale.

This is the work of Arlee Barr a fellow textile artist - check out her work on her blog and links there to her many talents....

This work I love love love. So much movement and an amazing composition. Unfortunately and shamefacedly I didn't record the artists name... hang on maybe I can find it.... Nate McLeod (Calgary, AB), Cassandra Paul (Calgary, AB). Yes there we are...

Chrissie had another session at the conference on Saturday and I went to a felt making workshop...

No, that isn't my own stuff.... but my pot is sitting in there... but the one I am most proud of will appear later, it isn't finished yet....

"Keith's dinner," at the Taj Mahal, was deemed the best Indian meal yet! Thank you so much Keith.

On Sunday we had a lovely relaxed day and a walk in Glenmore Weaselhead Park SW Calgary....

This tree an Birch I think, appears to be bursting at the seams.

Chrissie's friend

Another of Chrissie's friends - they look very similar don't you think (and excellent use of the apostrophe).

Wonderful roasted yam soup in Bragg Creek during our day out on..... ooops, Thursday!!!

A beautiful beautiful spot, with equally impressive spring weather... hot and sunny.

Thursday, a good day to go to a location that is usually crawling with The Public at weekends.

So a few quiet minutes to drink in nature, its sounds and chemistry.

Then the weather turned sour

In the space of half an hour

We returned to the car to warm up... but not before we had taken some shots of the lake's delicate, filigree edge.

Back at home and one of our last evenings together before Chrissie had to leave... she was given the opportunity to fulfil a dream

And the harpists of Calgary played the Glissando

With perfect positioning of every hando

Nice shots of Aliya's harp for you My Dad (and others). It is made of walnut and beech if I remember correctly, with a maple details. Aliya is very keen for the weather to turn warm again so that she can take it out in the garden and have it sing. They do that you know.

Lake Louise - Ice Dance

2010-04-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

There had been an ice carving show on Lake Louise a few weeks prior to the weekend of the ice dance show. This is a view of the glacier through an ice castle's window. The ice sculptures are on the lake.

Daniel had been invited to Agi-Day, a large scale agricultural exhibition at the Stampede showground, with Bailey and her Grandfather. This was far more exciting than joining Aliya, John and myself at Lake Louise for cross-country skiing and an ice dance show.

So how do you put on an ice show on a lake...

First you have to clear the ice and that requires a Zamboni. Anyone who was intimately connected with the Vancouver winter olympics knows that no other ice rink cleaning machine will do. The Olympia machine that they used for this event struggled to fill in holes and the skaters had a tough job. Nonetheless it makes for a lovely photo - just look at that reflection.

And as the last light of the day fell on the spectators who, at this time felt quite warm, the show began.

Spectacular costumes, wonderful music, surreal setting and we were in awe of the drama of it all.

After dusk the lighting engineers came into their own - and being knowledgeable about such things now, owing to Dan's interest in theatre lighting, we appreciated their efforts. They were standing in the cold for 2 hours without dancing like the skaters! or wrapped in 4 layers of trousers, 5 top layers and a duvet coat like the spectators that Aliya and I are... even John had on all the layers he had brought with him.... And we got chilled...

Truly fantastic lighting effects... "just gels" Daniel would say.
The lights illuminated the mountains at one point and there was operatic singing which I am sure could have been heard up at the Lake Louise Tea House (if it had been occupied) but it was also a light-hearted show and held us fascinated for the entire time.

The next day: After skiing the lake the day before we went to the river and tried there. It was dangerously icy along the banks. So we then went to the Lake Morraine road which is closed to cars in the winter and given over to groomed cross country ski tracks. We skied there. It was great, although we didn't get that far because we kept stopping to admire the views, or the snow formations. We marvelled at how much we enjoyed it. Aliya is very stylish on any sort of ski. Me, I look like an elf on crutches. Never mind it was a lot of fun and we hope to do more of this next year, all being well.

What went on in March

2010-04-19T18:02:00.000-07:00

The weather started to change and the ice on Glenmore Reservoir looked bluer and bluer. The plants started to sprout early.

But we were on the road again. I might just put together a book of shots like this one as I am forever taking photos in the wing mirror. We are driving to Jasper. The road that we will take again in the summer with David and Belinda... it is a long way guys...

The accommodation was wonderful. A room with a dividing door so that the adults could relax in the lounge area whilst the little ones sleep... no such luck, look at them do they look like they are ready to sleep?

Make of this what you will, but if you do want to take advantage of this offer I think I should tell you that I think it is for a limited time only.
What of the skiing at Marmott Basin I hear you ask..... well, it was very good... any photos? that remains to be seen.

Daniel's birthday

2010-04-19T16:35:00.000-07:00

What should one always carry on ones person? A towel of course and so to prepare Dan for adulthood he was given a packet of tiny towels so that he can carry one with him for use in any emergency. Thank Douglas Adams for that insight.

Birthday presents galore

Thanks Angela and Adrian for the words. It hasn't changed much since I got mine from John's Mum and Dad for my birthday in 19ahem.

Presents arrived from every neck of the woods... this one from Oman by courier... Dan was thrilled.

A rare shot of all 4 of us - Daniel's family birthday celebration... at Oriental Phoenix... Everyone on the cocktails. A lovely evening...

And February

2010-04-19T16:14:00.000-07:00

February gave us the opportunity to get skiing again. And the scenery was wonderful. I think that we skied in Lake Louise, Fernie and Sunshine in February. Aliya has outgrown her skis but hopefully not her boots! And John is turning into a snow spider... if you remember we always called him "Spidery Millson" for his fleetness of foot on mountain terrain.

Here you see the most wonderfully winter wonderland of Fernie. Bailey joined us for a few days to christen her snow board. Dan was wonderfully patient with us all. That is the four of us enjoying the scenery as much as the piste.

Of course it was my birthday and what better way to celebrate than have John enjoy the best afternoon tea ever (so far in Calgary) in Nectar Desserts, Inglewood, a most wonderfully set out tea shop - such attention to detail.

Inglewood is south of the Bow River. I could have shown you one of John's photos of the ice flows and standing waves along the river as the ice was thawing even then.... but instead this is a view across to the city and the famous Calgary Tower.

This is a rare shot of me cross-country track skiing. Rare because, as you know, I don't allow too many photos... and also because we haven't done much of this activity. We went again in March with Aliya and really enjoyed it. See later blog entry. This is me getting my track feet as it were, on the practise area of Canmore Nordic Centre... which you might have heard of. I know it is hard to take your eyes off me to look at the scenery. But you can, you have my permission. It is kind of nice there, don't you think.

Is it April already?

2010-04-19T15:53:00.000-07:00

So I have to catch up with since 120 days of Millson life.

I will give you 'The Rest of January' now... and what happened at the end of January? Aliya turned into a teenager. She also got a harp, but that didn't arrive till February....

The cake - Gluten Free of course

The Presents

The reading material

The booze - no not really, but a great shot that I found on my camera, since it was on my camera it is my shot! No, really it might be John's or Dan's or Al's my camera has turned into the family camera.... all ownership is forsaken.

Karin and John Ski

2010-01-18T12:09:00.001-08:00

We visited Sunshine, stayed overnight at the lodge and found that this is a marvellous way to have a full day's skiing the following day... we were up on the hill straight after a fairly early but leisurely breakfast. Skiing on fresh snow... very nice.

Shown above are the metal punctured up and down light fitting that I thought were very apt for a ski lodge, considering that is what we did all day... went up and down.

And a carpenter's view of Sunshine Village. The pub in the centre of the 'Village' (it is a very small village) is the original Sunshine Cabin. The village sits at above 2000m. This means your heart races when climbing the stairs to your room.

Light pollution is minimal in the village and we admired the star-filled sky reminiscing about Oman and thinking of Rebecca's astronomy lessons in the Wahiba sands.

But the next day was full of hard physical exercise and John put back the calories with his first taste of poutine... a Canadian delicacy. "Poutine is Acadian slang for mushy mess and is best described as a heart attack in a bowl."

If you can't quite make it out it is (processed) cheese cubes with gravy over chips. Yum! :-(

Go Flames Go

2010-01-14T09:06:00.000-08:00

Last night was a step forward in our integration into Canada and more particularly Calgarian life.

We were invited to see The Flames play the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was a fascinating experience. For a start the last time I was in a big stadium was in Birmingham when I went to watch Aston Villa play ?Liverpool and as you can see (?) it didn't make a big impression on me.

Yesterday it was different... a sea of red sweaters, the pitch an ice hockey rink, and the view, total - as compared to Villa where I couldn't see a thing (being too small and in the stands).

The Orwellian experience ("Make More Noise" flashed around the stadiums' screens) was sometimes quite surreal... And yes, I am sold on the sport now - it was more enjoyable than the TV version, with body checking not looking so aggressive or painful and the puck clearly visible for most of the time...

On the way home we discussed in jest the immediate need to replace the computer TV with a large flat screen....

As for the fighting - there were three eruptions... and it was my reaction to these (a mixture of disgust and consternation) and the fact that I cannot get used to these million(s)-dollar price-tagged guys playing 'games' rather than 'matches' that tells me I am an alien in Calgary.

By the way The Flames only scored once (final score 1:3 to the Penguins) so 'The Flames' which burn above the ice, were only lit once... I was so shocked I missed an opportunity to take a photo to show you.... but the fires are so big their flames did heat us up halfway up the arena.

Anyone got a Flames match ticket for sale?

Snow around the world

2010-01-06T13:43:00.000-08:00

After receiving images of creepy snowmen and giant white cats who invaded the City of Manchester after United was knocked out of the FA Cup ;-( this week, I felt I ought to upload an image from our neighbourhood. All credit goes to Jan who painstakingly created this Inukshuk... which leads the ice-weary stitcher to the safe haven of her home....

By the way the sculpture is about as big as a decent-sized snowman.

Aquarelles

2009-11-09T09:19:00.000-08:00

Aliya (top) and I had fun painting on Sunday - our first studies of sweets. You can hear the sweetie paper crackling can't you. Well done Al.

2009-11-08T16:14:00.000-08:00

Aliya has worked with Aquarelle crayons and inspiration derived from a wonderful book - Thank you Pily.. then a day later Aliya and I had a go with the crayons and a box of Quality Street! the book is great! sadly the sweets were virtual, not real.
I will upload some images from our work tomorrow, the light has gone now (5:15pm) so I can't get the photos.

Harpist

2009-10-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

Aliya is now into her second month of playing the Celtic Harp and it seems she was made for the instrument.
This one is rented from her teacher... I have considered building on out of Balsa wood, but I don't think Jan,her teacher, will approve....all donations towards Al's first harp will be gratefully received....

Thanksgiving weekend

2009-10-13T16:31:00.000-07:00

We had discussed poor weather conditions as 'unlikely' in October in Kananaskis - John assured me that we might have rain but not snow. But you know, being the worrying type, I got the snow tyres put on during the car service last week and it is rather like that woman said in The Matrix, What is bugging me now - would it have snowed if I hadn't put the snow tyres on.

And here are the Moose family that kept us entertained - Mummy moose, baby moose and daddy moose in the background.. just how he negotiates between the trees with that crazy head-dress astounded me.

This is a nice abstract shot of what happens to your paint-work in the snowy conditions once a Moose has licked all the salt off!

It was such a wonderful weekend - Mount Engadine Lodge... with snow and cold that just begged to be balanced up with log fires and outdoor hot tubbing. Not to mention the wonderful vegi, celi, and normal food!
We were introduced to The Game of LIfe by Bailey and Catchphrase (= hilarity) by 'The Sisters' who were also on a weekend break celebrating them all being together after two of them had been severely tested by medical conditions. It was wonderful - riotous indeed, joining their Catchphrase game... a game I must get hold of, 'from 8 to 80' is certainly true for that one.
Our 3 hour walk on the Sunday took us to Watridge Lake but it was too cold to sit long for lunch(ca -16C) and we headed back instead of onwards to Spring. The biggest spring in North America was saved for our next visit.

John got some wonderful photos (See the arty web pages soon) for little pain as it isn't yet the -40 degrees we expect soon.
Returning from Engadine we went to Banff to see the Glacier exhibition by Jan Kabatoff at the Whyte Museum it was really really worth the visit. Many encaustic pieces but also photography and installations in wax, silk and 4000 water bottles containing samples of water from the glaciers she visited. Since we hadn't been there before we also took in the exhibition about the Luxton family and 100 years of Parks' wardens'. I was intrigued by the thimbled fringe on an outfit made for Mrs Luxton and a pressed flower album.

It was an especially nice weekend because Bailey joined us and kept Dan smiling, and kept Aliya busy making Halloween themed cards.

On the way home I predicted that this week we would have the crazy day in Calgary, the one where drivers don't do very well at clicking into the winter driver mentality. Sure enough we awoke to 3cm of snow and more falling, there were hundreds of 'fender benders' across Calgary and it took 1.5 hours round trip to school and back (journey of 20 mins normally) and John ca 50 mins to walk to work watching cars pirouetting on the snowy hills on-route. So here we go winter is a-coming....

2009-08-27T09:29:00.001-07:00

Warning - You are at the end of a very long blog entry about the three week holiday spent in the company of Deborah, Stephen and Nicky Verber (Richard was sadly missed on this trip)

To get the full benefit of the blog entries please scroll down to the very first item on this entry... (it's a long long way down) and read the block in an upward direction towards the menu bar... I know this is contrary to blogger etiquette but I like to break the mould .

Here are some of the dangers one encounters, when visiting exotic climes such as Alberta and British Columbia, and Deborah dealt with them like a true professional

So to the end of the holiday - should I finish with a sunset.... No no no.

This image is of us having a light lunch at Glenmore Reservoir where this holiday blog began, That is Heritage Park, in the distance. And up above in the sky Deborah and Stephen are aboard their Thomas Cook flight back to Manchester. The day was beautiful, but a storm loomed though never broke on the horizon.

Did I mention that I think I am getting smaller... that is me at the bottom of the tallest totem pole in Canada
This one requires a short explanation. John, Al and I decided to walk to an art trail in Victoria (for once we were in the right place at the right time) Well, we were not expecting the whole of Victoria to be gathered along one street... but they were. London's rush hour - eat your heart out... it's sunny, everyone was happy, and there was art on every conceivable space, shelf, garden fence... pavement... which of course is the sidewalk and road which of course is the pavement and was closed off to traffic.
Posers
So Dan is smiling again as he now knows that he is going to travel back to Nanaimo and his dearest whose family are putting up with him for a few days. He will fly back to Calgary a few days hence, to then travel on with us to Britain for Part 3 of our summer holiday. Did I mention how fortunate our children are?Wall Space
Emporium
China town
Confusing
My Place - The Empress Victoria, a Canadian Pacific Railway hotel originally

Victoria - We missed Victoria off our itinerary in 2003 - And yet I say that we saved the best till last in 2009. What a wonderful place. We had our senses seasoned... here is a taste, glimpse, unfortunately not a sound, sniff or touch of it can I give you on the virtual space I am using, but enjoy.

And these are real!
Margaret - The Butchard gardens are truly unbelievable, we didn't see one dead head or blade of grass out of place. And we didn't see any gardeners... how can it be.
Totem - face

On having to leave Bailey in Nanaimo for the rest of our holiday in Victoria... gloom

Daniel Monkey
Aliya Monkey
On being reunited with Bailey - smiles, just about, we ARE at "Climb in trees like monkeys and forget you are 50' off the ground"

The Pacific Rim National Park - I want to live there.

We all love nature art and Andy Goldsworthy has been a lovely inspiration for Aliya

Wonderfully placed hotel on Vancouver Island... location location location

John gets his own back at Wickanninish
Aliya in her element - a board walk with interpretive trail on the marsh lands - pitcher plants and Sundew .... It was fun.

From Vancouver to Manchester for Nicky

From Vancouver to Vancouver Island for the rest of us. And the enchanted forest... A very big tree and two relatively small sisters

A wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends. Our lucky children had a sleep-over at the Jacob's home in Abbotsford, sadly Michael was not home this time. Then a treat - dinner at the hotel in Vancouver after a day at the aquarium.
Now I know I am getting older and naturally I am shrinking a little but this is getting ridiculous

And at about half way through our holiday we arrived in Vancouver where we had a great time, too many wonderful photos to show you but here is a view from the hotel

I just love this shot thanks, and very well done Al
I just love this shot - thanks John

And the four lads went on a challenging hike whilst the lasses had massages on the lakeside. it was a tough morning, but they reached the snow-line and we improved our Karma

Deborah the intrepid - what balance, what daring.

A rare shot of all of us... on a board-walk through a miraculous wood. Miraculous woods, wondrous lakes, spectacular mountains, I wont bore you with all the shots...

But if one doesn't hold the pan correctly one is in danger of loosing one's finds

There's gold in them there hills... Deborah demonstrates a very laissez-faire attitude to gold panning.

The red pole site of many an activity - here Nicky demonstrates the act of reading a book whilst looking like an advert for Next -coordinates.

Smiling? A rare event - until he met up with Bailey again

Try and explain that without moving your arms, John.

Another great GF - Gluten Free meal for Aliya - The wine was for me.

And just incase you forget that we are in The Americas and not the Med.
The vineyards of The Okanagan valley

But the results are astounding....

So it isn't only john who pulls a face whilst playing photographer

You bet we did.

Did we swim in this?

Deborah should be commended for the number of challenges she faced during the holiday from holding crickets, to fully experiencing the great outdoors, to.... being in Tsunami zones more on that later...

And then there was rain... who has the best rain jacket or Kagool as they still call them in Manchester.

Art Deco - Art New-O

OK so we did see some Victorian buildings. And the architectural details were lovely.

With photo-op.s everywhere you looked. It was quite a day very hot and we were all worn out at the end of it. Plus, the Verbers had emptied the contents of their campervans cupboards whilst turning left... I am sure it had a bearing on the mood of the party.

We went to Nelson to see art and Victoriana and found powerlines.

Mining museum - Number nine

Margaret, I thought you would like to see the lovely homes Canadians create This smoky grey is a very popular colour for the woodwork and reminds me of our 6th form uniform at Stand Grammar which was "airforce blue" and I loved it.

Did I say meat meat meat! This was for Aliya and she can put it away now believe me.

At Halcyon springs after a wonderful meal. The catering here for Celiacs was wonderful, - Dan certainly has grown over the past year and what a wonderfully artistic outline he now presents. Yeh, and Nicky too!

Fruits of John's labour. He has some wonderful shots from our summer holidays

It really is Oman with greenery - as you see in this photo that I call Wadi++

One of the numerous times I shot JA this holiday.

The falls (Takkau?? - spelling) we visited while Nicky climbed The Grand Sentinel - good on yer Nix. John, Dan and Al are the 3 (mini - atures) on the left of the image... it is a v. high waterfall.

Our first look at the colour of the lakes around Alberta - due to the Rock flour from the glaciers. This is John's lovely fish eye shot at Lake Louise but if you want the classic view go to

And here we are with the vans after driving them across town. They are big aren't they?

This one is for Dad (Godfrey) showing the old Snooker Hall at Heritage Park and D&S after one of their big losses on the Table.

Welcome at last to our very very long blog entry for the summer holiday 2009 (and this is just the first part - here are a few images selected from our 200 Zippabyte hard drive they will show you what we have been up to over the summer. I must commend John for his excellent and unrelenting camera work which he only paused to explain geological features, drive the camper van, empty its yuk tanks or create masterpieces on the BBQ. Thank you thank you thank you for a wonderful holiday John.

For the more arty and fantastic shots that John created please be patient, and wait till he has watermarked them, then I will add a blog entry especially to show you some of those.

Sunday Lunch

2009-05-24T14:43:00.000-07:00

It was such a beautiful day today - I dropped Dan off at Bailey's for him to clean out the pond and have a water play... then got Al and we went down to the Elbow for lunch on the banks, watching the dogs run in and out for sticks and balls and the Calgarians floating on by in their brightly coloured dingies.(why does that come up red on spell checker?).

It was wonderful. And then on the way back we went through the rough area - speaking botanically not socially - and found this free-for-all-who-dare swing and a tree that Al is now in love with. A climbable tree, not 3 minutes from the house. The swing is high off the ground even though it doesn't look it and the tree is a stout trunked monster, although it doesn't look like it.

And did I tell you about Lake Louise?

2009-05-23T09:39:00.000-07:00

Dan and John walked the Lake and we skied. Wonderful.

Did you know Canada taps for Maple Syrup?

Easter break

2009-05-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

Just like marrying ABA school holidays with those of PDO school - we didn't and had a very long Easter or Spring break with Al off school for 3 whole weeks. Unfortunately, John and Dan didn't have such luxury. Al got up to lots of crafty stuff with Candle making and work with plastics.

Mid May update

2009-05-23T09:15:00.001-07:00

Now the ski season has finished we start to get out and about in the greener pleasant land, but knowing what little we know Calgary and environs will soon be dry again... so we make the most of it. I don't remember ever having dissected Spring in quite the same way as we have done this year and for that we have Aliya to thank, since she claims she has never seen spring before.

Here some flowers in Reader Rock Garden in Calgary near the Stampede ground. They have a tea house there and we cycled over one Sunday, cycling is big in Calgary and there are many cycle paths along the Elbow and Bow Rivers. It is v. like The Netherlands with cyclists and in line skaters.
The view from the tea shop. That's the saddledome on the right. Downtown on the left.

Model skiers

2009-04-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

At last another entry on our blog - where HAVE we been you ask... I guess the truth is I am spreading myself a little thinly right now.
At last a photo that Miss Vanity 2009 will allow on the blog... that is Mrs Vanity actually me, KJ. Aliya looks great anywhere - I am her mum I can say that.
Spring skiing at Nakiska, (hence not much snow on beautiful view behind us - too low..... we went out just for the afternoon! and had a great time. After our 3 days at Fernie (British Columbia) two weeks ago, Al's confidence was up up and away and we tackled 3 black diamond runs without blinking (almost). The snow was lufly and the weather equally so.
I will try to catch up with a few thing this week but not promising. Too much art going on.

Hope you are reading this Ingrid!

February entry in March

2009-03-01T16:43:00.000-08:00

Busy month with quite an assortment of activities for the entire family - school trips to Police Forensics Museum, Theatre production - Your a good man charlie brown, Family Day holiday at Jasper - and skiing skiing skiing at Sunshine and Marmot basins. Speed skating classes in school. Meetings of Embroiderers' Association of Canada and Contextural (to which I have been admitted - yippee), 5 week online course on digital printing on diverse materials, Book club - discussing Obama's "The audacity of Hope' Art demonstration,Baby sitting course and CPR, Red cross course, teenage friends round for evenings, dinners out and in, and Fire safetly course, Not to mention lots of coffee drinking and socialising. Did I mention that John has to do some work from time to time at Shell Canada to finance all these activities... and you can see from 'Fruity" below... he doesn't look too bad on it.

And some images to tell the tale.
Fruity

On route to Jasper... via the Icefields Parksway... the GPS show how complex the navigation is round these parts... but conditions were challenging...
Daniel remembered the last time he was at the Athabasca Glacier... but this time it was a fair bit cooler.

Skiing in Marmot - it was a very bright day... sorry about the poor image.. but it is us and we were having a great day.. lovely conditions and the views were all round spectacular.

Xmas - New Year Holiday 2008-9

2009-01-06T14:24:00.000-08:00

It is difficult to show all the lovely times we have had over the past 3 week period.

Before school finished for Aliya she had a 4 day stay at the YMCA outdoor education centre - Camp Chief Hector. Here is the location and some of Al's new freinds at River Valley School.

John was off work for a couple of weeks and the kids had 21/2 weeks off.

I didn't do any work either!

So find below a snippet of our activities.

Snow and cold were the order of the days - so a few images from the garden, countryside and mountains will give you a taste, if you were in warmer climes.

The icicles and snow glinting in the sunshine really were like something I have only ever seen, and believed were cartoon representations, on Xmas cards.

Delicate art forms along the guttering-etched by warmer air after a cold snap.
Large white doughnut for Al Fresco diners
Comfy cushions accompany the dining experience
Snow smile
For some reason this reminds me of wonderful choc ices
Edge of Elbow river close to our home. River water laps the frozen edge and sculpts it
The Falls on the Elbow River - froze, as it does every year.

Spent New Year's Eve in Canmore - Lovely walk along the river to a mine shaft (coal mining area) near the housing of the wealthy riverbank set, saw a beaver and wonderful art forms in the ice, with a major part of the river frozen over!

Yes, it is a beaver not a water rat!

It was a lovely walk, but pretty darn cold on the way back facing the wind

The view along the river is spectacular. There have been several times over the past few weeks when John and I have wondered if we like this scenery better in the summer, autumn or winter. It is close run thing.

Party on the Pond - Canmore was for families and pre-midnight it involved me in dusting off my old Vroom and Dresmann skates (and jacket...) and skating downhill onto the pond.... Life is full of new experiences. Dan and John have hockey skates, Al and I figure skates.

For the adults a drunken walk back to our friend's home on approach to 12am - and all of us tooting all the way on whistles from the Tapas Bar, lovely food, wrapped up with fireworks.

That isn't a cigarette in Susan's mouth it is a party blower - She and Dan made a great deal of noise and as for us ladies... well, Al is wearing a magicians hat and I a princess's grown - on top of my rather fetching knitted and fleeced hat with ear protectors - I will look like anything as long as I stay warm and the crown certainly helped.

Dan and John went to explore Sunshine Valley Ski resort in -26C temperatures a few days before New Year, so that when we all went up it would be a smooth ride. It worked out well for, 3 days later we all went skiing in Sunshine Valley.

Karin burst into tears as usual on the ski lift but managed to overcome all the stresses once her skis hit the snow. All of us quickly remembered our parallel turns and how to shower each other with snow when stopping! Just like in the Olympics!

Before we left Canmore the next day we enjoyed a bagel breakfast... maple bagel and jam for Al, cheese, egg and unmentionable smoked meat on a plain bagel for Dan, in a coffee shop with real log fire that made it too hot - we had to take the window seat instead.

Then we drove across to Nipika Lodge

That is Castle Mountain behind me. So named because... I will leave that to you. Just to note, it is possible to smile at -30

These places are not heated it is possible to $%^& at -30 but believe me you become expert at speed $%^&-ing.A cabin on the meadow at Nipika Lodge in Kooutnay National Park, British Columbia (solar and propane powered lodgings, no internet or TV... and a lovely log burning stove a good experience for us all).

Cooking Al Fresco, for the meat at -24C (bonkers), and cut your own logs.

X-country ski lesson with Gudrun a top Canadian Biologist, and ex Olympic winter loppen(cross-country/classic/langlaut) expert who has worked with gorillas!

John skiing in the meadow. I have messed about = the snow wasn't green in the meadow really, Silly.

R&R

The journey home was quite varied. Does anyone else notice a similarity between the driving here and the Wahiba sands?

If you get held up at a level crossing behind one of these monsters you might as well get out and sketch the landscape.

I was thinking beautiful Afghani eyes, John said A Q Terrorist!

2008-12-15T08:19:00.000-08:00

OK it is time for JAM to get his own back on all my mockery.
National Geographic eat your heart out.
Here is one more similarity between the sort of things one sees in Oman and Calgary!

This weekend the temperatures reached!!!! -29 plus wind chill took us to -40. We went out for a walk in Weaslepark, near Glenmore reservoir. Aliya achieved a wish... white mascara.

Our snow boots are good down to -35 so we still have all of our toes. This morning it was -29 so I drove Dan to school. Even our Swedish Volvo laboured to get into gear for the hills. Aliya's school was closed and so we are going Xmas shopping at a Mall that is on top of a hill. What fun, with winter tyres we are safe... no worries.

Lateral thinking problem

2008-12-10T12:43:00.001-08:00

Can you solve this one?

On another subject - Have you heard of Tim Horton's? - (No? well, you are obviously not a Canadian)
I do wonder about the use of the apostrophe there...Tim Horton is what exactly... Tim Horton has what exactly... or does it just refer to the many many hundreds of Tim's shops in Calgary... and demonstrates the misuse of the apostrophe?

This is a selection of His doughnuts the likes of which Homer S. must enjoy to the full. I have only tried one... Maple syrup and custard doughnut (top row, second left). But JAM swears by the sour cream iced doughnut, (directly below maple syrup custard doughnut) rather than the JAM variety (middle row, far left) ... strange that.

Peanut butter Xmas tree

2008-12-08T14:48:00.000-08:00

So, David, we are keeping our eyes open for the largest peanut butter container in Canada. So far only the 2kg ones have caught our eyes. But great news.... Daniel spotted non-peanut peanut butter and Al is prepared to be a guinea pig or perhaps guinea-small herbivore would be more apt..and try it.

Our outing to Safeway in Glenmore Landing was a family trip - a rarity these days, but they all came along to help me stock up for Xmas.

Also this weekend we went off to the provincial forest where the youth foresters organise a pick your own. No, they are not stink berries that the bears like, Saskatoon berries or wild gooseberries.... In fact we picked our own Lodgepole Pine. Aliya, an expert on trees now, kept us in check as we were not allowed to pick anything other than the long needle lodge pole.
We had to travel a very long way to find our tree - there it is in the middle of that lot!

It was fun but I thought we were going to come to blows as everyone had their own idea of which was the best looking Xmas tree.

John is seen here saying "Over my dead body" or H " how much too tall is this one?"We didn't pay by the metre and this tree cost us the price of a permit = $5

A better one?

2008-12-01T19:10:00.000-08:00

I put this one up because I had trouble loading it before and settled for second best!!! oh well, the internet is a strange beast some of the time.

Just a snippet

2008-12-01T14:16:00.000-08:00

Summary -snow still on ground but not much of it left, so it will snow again very soon we think.
This weekend went shopping got our anniversary presents.... skis and boots and helmets and poles and more handwarmers and toe warmers... known here as Hot Shots.
The image shows what a Chinook looks like, it is vast... a cloud front which you can see above the fluffy clouds in this example... it is like a second horizon. Beautiful isn't it?

Snow is here

2008-11-20T08:09:00.001-08:00

View of our front garden to Coronation Drive - Dan is the small figure walking to catch the bus, in the distance.

Xmas is comming

Al's first Canadian snowman

Starbucks - Channuka

2008-11-15T16:28:00.001-08:00

We have just been to see a show - performance art I would call it... rather than dance which is how it was advertised here...
I thought you would like to see the new feature in the wall cabinet of our local Starbucks... When is first night?

WE are off for a vegetarian chinese meal now... My, how things have changed in our lives.... How do they make beef and duck wings out of beans and grass? Very tasty it is too. I will try to remember to photograph so you can see how meat like this stuff is.

Long weekend - Waterton

2008-11-12T08:18:00.000-08:00

We take many photographs and it is difficult to know what to include and what not to. If you are unfortunate enough to meet up with us in the near future we will probably bore the buckskin pants off you with our photos... for now here is a taste... do open the images to see larger views... if you are that interested. The delight is in the detail.

After much discussion all 4 of us went to Waterton National Park for the weekend, overnight at Kilmoney Lodge. And what the latest entries in TripAdvisor say are true. Never mind, we had to stay somewhere and since the Prince of wales and most other places were closed for the season we had little choice. Waterton was less than a one horse town.
The Prince of Wales is the most photographed hotel in the world, I am told ....see where we didn't stay... this time....(you really do need to enlarge this image - Burj Al Arab...no contest!)

In summary: Frank's slide

One morning in the very early 20th century the mountain side collapsed as the result of geological conditions, the action of man whilst coal mining and of course... the weather the town of Frank was buried (90 dead). The Earth's power is truly and hauntingly demonstrated in this valley where one cannot believe the extent of the slide.
Farms on the Prairie
The prairie farm and the sort of view I frequently see in the mirror...

Graded roads aren't limited to Oman

Mountain biking down to Waterton Lake (another one click on)

I am not won over but I can see that you cover more ground in the same amount of time when on a bike. And it is beautiful.
Same as Oman only more clothing

Lake Cameron - Corrie lake dramatic view and lovely walk

An interpretative set of boards at the end of the walk explained that the adjacent area was an avalanche region where the snow ploughs down and wipes out all but the shrub. Berry bushes thrive in the summer... hence it is a "must visit" for grizzlies and a "to be avoided" for humans. We did see a large white rabbit, it wasn't scary at all!

Head Smashed In

A brave youth wanted to see the buffalo falling over the cliff during the yearly hunt. He hid under the cliff. It was a particularly good hunt that year. When the people came to butcher the meat, amongst the bodies of the fallen bison they found the youth with his head smashed in. This is how Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump got its name and it is now a UNESCO site. It has about 10 metres of buffalo bones at the base of the cliff - these have reduced the drop by half. People had been living in harmony with the bison for 1000s of years (Except they did drive a herd of them over a cliff once a year).
But then...
The bison were decimated by locals and settlers when the need for phosphorus for weapons and their skins for the belts on machinery in Europe had to be satisfied... very sad - in a century the millions of bison on the plains were very nearly wiped out.
Check it out on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head-Smashed-In_Buffalo_Jump for more information.
The creatures you see in the mid distance are buffalo, honest. Open the image and you will be able to enlarge and see that they are not cows at all!)

And what of our camera man during all these interesting days???

Halloween weekend

2008-11-03T16:58:00.001-08:00

This weekend we had a great time after halloween and the great sweetie grab... see Al and her friend Claudia.

On Sat. we shopped a lot and on Sun we walked in Glenmore delta and why is a delta called a delta do you think? Oh yes, this blog will keep you on your toes.
The car park had a collection zone for the redundant pumpkins

On the walk around the lake we saw a bald eagle (contradict me if you dare), a friendly squirrel, many types of willow, amazing photo opportunities, and the kids (all of them) perfected their stone skimming talents.

Who is this - clue... Karin has blue eyes!

And so does Aliya

A man with a mission - notice the Fanny Bag... (Canadians do have a quaint turn of phrase do they not?) .... and the new camera. You might have to zoom in to see what it is.

Day out for John's birthday

2008-11-03T16:53:00.001-08:00

Just to keep up with additions to the blog - we paid our first visit to the prairies to the south of Calgary en route to Vulcan, the Star Trek town. John had his photo taken with 7 of 9 (Happy 50th Birthday John, "Live long and prosper") and we spent many windswept moments taking photos - the scenery was stunning. As usual I was captivated by visual texture. Are my photos worth watermarking - and do I know how to do that? Or should I just encourage the generous streak in my nature?

Sunrise

2008-11-03T16:51:00.000-08:00

Maybe this is really boring but it is the first beautiful sunrise I have seen in Canada since arriving. And the view is from our front door. Wow.

I am sending the previous postcard to Alistair who is having an op. on his hand this week, the same week he has his special biggish birthday. Can you believe that our new friend's birthday is on the very same day as John's also biggish although a little smaller birthday. Happy birthday both.

Trees - rowan

2008-11-03T16:49:00.002-08:00

What more trees? Yes, this one for Margaret. Unfortunately we can't eat these. The trees are loaded with berries but it looks as if nothing eats them and with every garden having its own resident black and grey squirrel... the evidence is overwhelming... they must be poisonous.

Had a great weekend with the Calgary equivalent of the Knitting and Stitching show. About a fifth the size but I learnt a lot from the stall holders and it was an adventure getting there since I hadn't been on the C-train before. So today I am off to catch up with some contacts I made there. And I might give in to the temptation of buying an embellisher... they are on offer, and I can justify one at a lower price....

Also Al and I joined John as he shopped for his hobby (DIY) - actually he hates the job of putting up all our pictures every time we move... Anyway we (Al and I) discovered the banks of little drawers of all manner of washers, screws and bits of metal of amazingly intricate shapes... potential in these I feel sure.

Cap Mushrooms

2008-11-03T16:49:00.001-08:00

Aliya spotted this group of Ink Cap mushrooms (I think they are) on our way to school. I doubled back there after drop off and took a few snaps, she is working on forests and trees - there is a world forest day on the 28th... and she has an outing to Jumping Pound next week. I think they will like these images at school and they make wonderful subjects for embroidered surfaces - especially the decaying inky ones.

Here is a link to check out my identification and also find out why you shouldn't drink alcohol if you are going to make the recipe Shaggy Mane Inkcap Casserole Supreme recipe given on the web link.

Enjoy

The Beginning - Yellow, bus, shell, tree

2008-11-03T16:47:00.001-08:00

I begin this blog in honour of Deborah, who broke her ankle in Spain and now lies in a hospital in Manchester after having it reset. Maybe somehow she can read this diary and it will brighten her day. She may even start her own blog.

We have been in Calgary for 2 months and enjoyed summer. Autumn lasts about 2 days here and it is now.

A lasting memory for me is from about 1984 - our graduation year in Aberystwyth. We had our photos taken on the lawn, it was a windy day. I had seen the tree the day before when all the leaves were on the tree but they were a shockingly bright yellow colour. I colour I detest. And yet the next day all the leaves were around its base.

There is nothing like this tree for stunning us with a rapid fall. So now that I see autumn all around me here in North America, and much of it is made up of the same tree (trying to find out its name right now), I understand how autumn can be so short lived.

The image was taken in a parking lot (yes, we are all already influenced by the language here). I couldn't resist starting my blog with this... and not a beautiful nature shot... although it doesn't show the tree to its full stunning glory... it does show a school bus like the one Aliya travels to school in and of course the reason we are here... Thanks, Shell.

I really don't like yellow. But then who does?

The story so far

2008-11-03T16:45:00.001-08:00

We arrived in Calgary in July and set up a temporary blog to share photos with family on i-sew.blogspot.com. That is now a blog for Karin's artwork only and the previous family photos have been moved here for you to view.

Enjoy