Where`s the white stuff!

I`m being a bit more pro active this week by actually writting a blog entry on time for a change! We`ve had some very cold starts here in Ralston this week; one morning when I got up at 7.30 am it was a rather chilly -20 outside but luckily by the time we set off on the school run an hour later it had warmed up to a more acceptable -15!.
Though very cold, it was a beautiful clear sunny day and the trees were covered in this stunning thick white frost... hopefully you will be able to see it in this picture which I took (very quickly!) outside my front door.

That extreme cold has thankfully been an exception and the temperature has mostly been fairly pleasant (well for Canada!). No doubt that will change very soon; snow flurries are forecast for tomorrow and the long range forecast is for the first snow dump of the season to arrive on the 1st Dec. Very festive!

The children are all happy and well. Leigh & I have had a couple of nights out this week, one of which was to Ralphs Texas Bar & Steakhouse in Medicine Hat. We had a good fun night dancing to Country & Western and generally laughing at Rednecks! We were introduced to this sheep farming cowboy called Rex who knew someone from Cornwall called Terry Baton and wondered if we knew him! Hang on a minute...surely not....you don't mean... old Tezza Batts from Truro...Lol!


Just had to add this lovely photo of my Mum (aka Granny Plymouth) which was taken on her recent visit out here at Lake Louise - I promised her fame on the blog! And this very cute picture of Charlie looking like something from South Park!

Gosh we've had a busy couple of weeks! I really appreciate the concern from Interpol as to our whereabouts but alas the Tingey family are safe and well and still living in Ralston! We've been busy with everything from Halloween to a visit from my Mum & Roger, from a week in the Rockies to visit from Ed (who popped over last Thursday and stayed for 5 days!). Oh, and Ben's birthday too! And not a snowflake in sight in Ralston!


Halloween was the usual OTT North American event and the whole village was on form with all the kids out trick or treating! Luckily Ben, Olivia & Charlie were still
able to fit into their costumes from last year, and Olivia had carved a pumpkin at school which meant the uncarved pumpkin I put out on the doorstep didn't look too sad!



Mum & Roger stayed with us for a couple of days before we headed up to the Rockies together for another couple of days. Unlike Mum's last visit when it was around -35, it was much warmer in Banff this time and we were able to take the cable car up Sulphur Mountain to see the amazing views. It never fails to impress! Lake Louise was as beautiful as ever and as yet unfrozen.


As Mum & Roger flew out of Calgary, Leigh arrived in Calgary so we had a few more days in Canmore and Banff. Lots of ice-skating-hockey and swimming, lazy mornings and lunches out. We had a really lovely time. Though there wasn't much snow on the hills, Leigh and Ben did get a days skiing at Lake Louise where they had one slope open. Ben seemed to have lost his nerve a bit, (but that's a good thing where Ben is concerned!) Leigh really enjoyed himself and is looking forward to the season even more now!


Ben has had his 8th birthday as well. He chose to take a couple of his friends to see James Bond (no complaints from Leigh or Ed!) and then go for a meal at Montana's where Ben got to wear a silly hat whilst the restaurant sang happy birthday to him! His friends then came back for a sleep over. So Ben had a great day and was a very happy boy!

Leigh is currently back in the UK for a few days... just as we thought the Prairie season was over and we would see more of Leigh...