Busy!

After an unremarkable week last week (with the exception of a speeding fine!), this week has been pretty full on - hence the late blog. The children have started their swimming lessons, and as they are all at different levels, they all have separate lessons, which means that on top of thier usual after school clubs, I am dashing back and forth to the pool! Ben also had a golf lesson this week at the driving range here which he really enjoyed (I think I might go up there myself and smash a few balls to de-stress!).


On Tuesday I went on a visit to the nearby Hutterite colony. It was absolutely fascinating and I'll do a separate blog about it later as it's not possible to describe how these people live in a few sentences and we weren't allowed to take photos. But basically they are strict Christians, descended from Europe (German is thier first language) who live in Colonies in the USA & Canada. They resemble the Amish people in the way they dress and, though not as strict as the Amish, they live completely isolated lives, without the influences of the outside world - no tv/radio (That said, I have seen them shopping in Walmart & the Canadian Superstore!).


Leigh has had some time off The Prairie this week, so on Wednesday we took the children out of school and went to The Heritage Park in Calgary for the day. We had a brilliant time - the weather was great and there was lots to do & see. There was a steam boat ride on the lake (Ben was invited to steer the boat and got a certificate!), an old Canadian steam train, lots of fairground rides and a replica 'Wild West' street. Whilst Ben was steering the steam boat, I was chatting to the Captain - it turned out that he went to Plymouth Polytechnic (now Uni) and lived in Plympton! (For those who don't know, Plympton is a suburb in Plymouth where my Mum lives!) Small world!

Summer!

Dare I say summer is here at last?! It's been hot; around 28 degrees and sunny. We are enjoying the short time left before we get bombarded with flies and mosquitoes (or skeeto's as Olivia calls them!), and have to shut all the doors and windows and cover ourselves in repellent! Not complaining though! The children have had a fantastic time in the garden with the pool out and running through the sprinkler!
Leigh has had some time off the Prairie this weekend too so we have had the BBQ out... lovely! Not much other news really so this is a short blog this week. Just had to take this photo of Ben though who managed to get trapped in the trampoline surround the other day - I could hear him shouting "Mum, Help!"... When I saw him I said "Hang on Ben, just let me get the camera!"

What season it it here?

Well we have had an exceptionally quiet week here, so I'm not sure what I am going to write about this week - apart from the weather of course, which has been pretty grim! For the first time since arriving here, I have actually been envious of the UK weather - a mini heatwave I hear (though according to Sky news you have been under a blanket of smog as a result!). It's been cold, wet, grey and thundery, and there has even been more snow nearby. It's quite funny to see everyone dashing between buildings here in the village, dodging the rain, as it seems absolutely no one out here, including me, has an umbrella! Things are looking up as from tomorrow though, lot's of warm sunshine expected and +23 by the weekend. So it's just been the usual
round of after school clubs for the children and a couple of visits to the swimming pool. Not very exciting! Leigh is working all hours out on The Prairie; no one will be more glad than he when the weather improves. I think he spends a lot of time standing up in his vehicle with the top half of his body sticking out of the roof, so he can watch the exercise.... and therefore he gets rather wet! He has come home a few times this week soaking wet and quite unamused! Of course we have lot's of sympathy for the artic trained commando warrior!... We do!

Not a snow cloud in sight... Hurrah!

As expected it has been a quiet week for us here in Ralston, though I expect Leigh might disagree with that comment! So there's not much to blog about this week, though of course, in true English tradition I have to talk about the weather - which has been pretty good this week. Just one day of wind and rain; the rest of the week has been warm and sunny which is apparently the norm for this time of year. Lovely! We have spent lot's of time in the garden. Dare we say the worst is behind us?! Seeing and hearing the rain here this week was quite strange as I think it has only rained about 4 times since we have been here!

We have another quiet week ahead on the calendar and with the Med Man excercise now in full swing, the social life is not going to improve much for quite a while - well for Leigh anyway! In the mean time I'm taking up tennis lessons along with a few other girl's out here, which will be much safer and much, much more ladylike than my skiing!

Oh, P.S. Abi, just wondering if you are still at the Army v Navy?!!