As the title indicates this week I have mainly been clearing out the house, ready for the sale completing, hopefully on Wednesday next week.
Surprisingly, despite Wayne and I spending a year "decluttering" there had been so much stuff to rehome or recycle. Some stuff we have been getting rid of have been a bit strange such as taking the kitchen bins to the tip, giving the BBQ to the scrap metal man (we thought we could rehome the BBQ but it had got a bit rusty), i also gave the cutlery to the scrap metal man ... that was weird too.
Mean while in Canada, Wayne had been buying stuff that I have been throwing away. it is very strange. Wayne starts his new job tomorrow so things should start settling down over there. Meanwhile I will be mainly working and tidying!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Were all going to the Zoo tomorro...er...last weekend
So Wayne had disappeared on a stag do to Oktoberfest in Munich and I was left wondering what to do what to so with myself ...so i did the logical thing, invited my mum to stay and had a girly weekend.
On Friday we looked at all the furniture we wouldn't buy in Ikea...then on Saturday we decided to go to Tycross zoo. We didn't get to see the show leopards but we did see lots of monkeys, elephants penguins and a baby orangutan and a litter of baby meerkats.
On Friday we looked at all the furniture we wouldn't buy in Ikea...then on Saturday we decided to go to Tycross zoo. We didn't get to see the show leopards but we did see lots of monkeys, elephants penguins and a baby orangutan and a litter of baby meerkats.
We then went to find hobbycraft in Coventry, we failed and ended up at a garden center in the middle of the country.
On Sunday we cooked a roast and spent the afternoon playing cards ans scrabble... I lost lots
We then went and picked a very tired and hungover Wayne ... who brought some yummy looking chocolate back from Germany
Saturday, September 10, 2011
The Travellers Return
Well we came back from are travels missing the earthquake on Vancouver (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14862800). We didn't feel a thing at the airport and we were looking around shops after having cheesecake for lunch.
We stopped for lunch at Wayne parents and caught up on all the local gossip. then made are way back home. After working are way through the mountain of mail (mainly junk). We found cards from DHL (US) which we think our are Canadian bank cards. These are most likely on their way back to Canada.
Then I noticed a dead wasp on the stairs and then another, and another and another and a lot more around the house. So out of the house I pottered and found a wheelie bin for recycling (it wasn't there when we left for Canada). And a lot of wasp near the roof happily making there way in and out.
Wayne checked out the loft and couldn't see anything, so we decided to call in the experts. A quick glance and he knew where the nest was. To confirm he went to the office and tapped on the ceiling. - he looked out of the window and saw the wasps leaving. the nest was in the flat roof. 15 minutes later and the problem was sorted and I have stopped stirring at the light fittings. (wasps will come into the house through low voltage light fittings)
Right now the drama is done, I might start unpacking.
We stopped for lunch at Wayne parents and caught up on all the local gossip. then made are way back home. After working are way through the mountain of mail (mainly junk). We found cards from DHL (US) which we think our are Canadian bank cards. These are most likely on their way back to Canada.
Then I noticed a dead wasp on the stairs and then another, and another and another and a lot more around the house. So out of the house I pottered and found a wheelie bin for recycling (it wasn't there when we left for Canada). And a lot of wasp near the roof happily making there way in and out.
Wayne checked out the loft and couldn't see anything, so we decided to call in the experts. A quick glance and he knew where the nest was. To confirm he went to the office and tapped on the ceiling. - he looked out of the window and saw the wasps leaving. the nest was in the flat roof. 15 minutes later and the problem was sorted and I have stopped stirring at the light fittings. (wasps will come into the house through low voltage light fittings)
Right now the drama is done, I might start unpacking.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
More strange things from Canada
Well we have, a busy few days, over the weekend we went to Vancouver Island to visit friends and relatives. All of which are well and are wished us luck in starting a life in Canada.
Monday was a bank holiday - Labour day, where they celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. (something they should do in the U.K.) Sensibly the bank holidays are more spread out here and there is every month except February, March and June.
We went to grouse mountain, where we where entertained by bears and a lumberjack show. Lumberjacks where once so bored that they made a competition out of who can make the other person fall off a log first (it is more entertaining then it sounds).
Today it was back to job hunting and then we went to the Metropolis at Metrotown (a huge mall probably the same size as meadowhall). I went looking for shoes and Wayne just went wondering for an hour.
Anyhow I have found a few more things that in are different in Canada that may take some getting used to.
1. I am a size 3 in children's shoes (same as the UK) but a size 5 in the adult shoes
2. You can get baked beans, but they taste different to UK baked beans
3. The Junction to get onto the highway can be before the junction to get off the highway.
4. You can get Bacon on Cheesecake (bacon, dark chocolate and maple syrup)
It wasn't unpleasant, but was a bit too sweet for my liking.
Other than that, it has been quiet strange walking round the shops looking at winter clothes, when it is 28 degrees centigrade outside. However, I suppose that could happen in the UK...
Monday was a bank holiday - Labour day, where they celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. (something they should do in the U.K.) Sensibly the bank holidays are more spread out here and there is every month except February, March and June.
We went to grouse mountain, where we where entertained by bears and a lumberjack show. Lumberjacks where once so bored that they made a competition out of who can make the other person fall off a log first (it is more entertaining then it sounds).
Today it was back to job hunting and then we went to the Metropolis at Metrotown (a huge mall probably the same size as meadowhall). I went looking for shoes and Wayne just went wondering for an hour.
Anyhow I have found a few more things that in are different in Canada that may take some getting used to.
1. I am a size 3 in children's shoes (same as the UK) but a size 5 in the adult shoes
2. You can get baked beans, but they taste different to UK baked beans
3. The Junction to get onto the highway can be before the junction to get off the highway.
4. You can get Bacon on Cheesecake (bacon, dark chocolate and maple syrup)
It wasn't unpleasant, but was a bit too sweet for my liking.
Other than that, it has been quiet strange walking round the shops looking at winter clothes, when it is 28 degrees centigrade outside. However, I suppose that could happen in the UK...
Friday, September 2, 2011
A few days in.
Well we have been here 5 days and the place now looks like a home...
We have a bed and a nice new mattress.
We have a table and a sofa (Borrowed with thanks). Plates, pots, pans etc etc.
We have noticed a few things that will take some getting used to
1. the 10 cent coins are smaller than the 5 cent coins
2. the screw drivers are square ended
3. you can't get alcohol in the supermarket
4. herbs coming in big tubs/packets not small 10g tubs.
5. Malls are huge and NOT overcrowded
6. you can always get a parking space.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Canadian Observations
Hello from the middle of the countryside in Beautiful British Columbia. where after weeks and weeks I finally found some time to write a few words. The sensible thing for me to do would be to fill you in with all the fun things that I have been up to since I last blogged, such as the walk along the Monsal Trail, Thomas' Baptism, Cropready. I will get round them, in between job hunting and investigating the 40 acres of land our apartment is on.
I thought I would list out all things I have found out so far.
1. Don't try and land (activate your permanent residence visa) in August as all of he foreign Students are arriving and the Immigration officers are stressed
2. Car hire does not come with insurance, insurance is expensive!
3. The apartment is huge (compared to 1bed room apartments in the UK)
4. I have blueberries, blackberries, and apple in my garden and possibly kiwi's and grapes
5. The neighbours are really friendly
6. There is no sign of bears (phew) but there is signs of cougars!
7. Walmart (asda) sells everything but food.
8. Everyone says 'your welcome' a lot.
9. It is cheaper to buy a new printer then it is buy replacement ink
I thought I would list out all things I have found out so far.
1. Don't try and land (activate your permanent residence visa) in August as all of he foreign Students are arriving and the Immigration officers are stressed
2. Car hire does not come with insurance, insurance is expensive!
3. The apartment is huge (compared to 1bed room apartments in the UK)
4. I have blueberries, blackberries, and apple in my garden and possibly kiwi's and grapes
5. The neighbours are really friendly
6. There is no sign of bears (phew) but there is signs of cougars!
7. Walmart (asda) sells everything but food.
8. Everyone says 'your welcome' a lot.
9. It is cheaper to buy a new printer then it is buy replacement ink
10. Store cards give you approx 15% - 20% off your shopping if look out for the deals
Here is the view from the balcony our pas, I will enter the woods later...
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Social life
It has been a week of doing stuff and meeting people, and a very nice week it has been.
On Monday I meet my brother and his family in Birmingham, so watch my nephew sing in the Music for youth festival (http://www.mfy.org.uk/coreseason/national). They where very good and so where all the other contestants.
In the evening we had the 'Monday Group' round for games and wine. They were also very patient and supportive as I sort out my insurance claim
Thursday we went to London to hand in are passports. While waiting to go into the embassy a lady approach Wayne and said that she recognised him from the forum so he felt a bit famous. after we handed are passports in and picked up are raffle ticket (high tech!) we went to Islington and met Kevin and Ollie, who used to play a well known online game. Kevin has just that his own business and Ollie is trying to become a sound engineer. They both had different jobs which they didn't really like. I was very impressed with there courage and wish them both good luck.
We had a little walk round Marble Arch and Oxford street before heading home.
Friday we went to Lucy and Paul's for a bbq and met you with lot of people we haven't seen for a while. We left them drinking marshmallow vodka, which smelt sickly.
On Monday I meet my brother and his family in Birmingham, so watch my nephew sing in the Music for youth festival (http://www.mfy.org.uk/coreseason/national). They where very good and so where all the other contestants.
In the evening we had the 'Monday Group' round for games and wine. They were also very patient and supportive as I sort out my insurance claim
Thursday we went to London to hand in are passports. While waiting to go into the embassy a lady approach Wayne and said that she recognised him from the forum so he felt a bit famous. after we handed are passports in and picked up are raffle ticket (high tech!) we went to Islington and met Kevin and Ollie, who used to play a well known online game. Kevin has just that his own business and Ollie is trying to become a sound engineer. They both had different jobs which they didn't really like. I was very impressed with there courage and wish them both good luck.
We had a little walk round Marble Arch and Oxford street before heading home.
Friday we went to Lucy and Paul's for a bbq and met you with lot of people we haven't seen for a while. We left them drinking marshmallow vodka, which smelt sickly.
Saturday and we were in Birmingham again, meeting with Brandi and Tasha. We chilled by the canal and then went for Japanese food. The food was cooked in front of us which was very impressive and it was very yummy.
Today is lunch with the inlaws, which brings us back to Monday again!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)