Snow on our snags

I call this cooking method Fire and Ice

We were warned!!!

I think the cloud was just over the BBQ

After the enjoyment of our first Canadian BBQ we attempted another one.

We did not have to contend with flies or people-eating ants, we did not run out of gas, it was not 40c in the water bottle - what we did have was some uninvited snow.
I have no doubt this will not be the only time I have snow on my snags (sausages). Undaunted, Elaine and Eugene, our neighbours, accepted cooking outside whilst it is snowing as perfectly normal.
At least it was a little more difficult to burn the meat this week.

Any day is good for a Canadian BBQ.

On Sunday we thought we would go for the first bike ride of the season, courtesy of Collin and Becky's excellent bikes.

The day started fine,

Hanneke leads the "Tour de Lloydminster".

We visited the world's largest border posts

 The world's largest sun dial

How do you adjust this for daylight saving?

Maybe the world's largest headless Canadian goose!

 We took in the sights......

I want my skis back.

Dare I take this short cut on Collin's bike?

 but we forgot it is April and Spring, that means...........

I knew we should have taken two skis instead of two wheels!

Are these polystyrene balls or just another type of snow?

 So we settled for a cosy Sunday afternoon by the fire watching the snow out of the window.

Here comes the Sun.

Sunrise over Jaycee park

Plenty of energy here - the sun competing with the upgrader.

Spring -  time for a Sonnet?

Has mean winter eased its white frozen grip?

Spring reveals herself upon our senses

Conversations of weather we now skip

Geese aloft, yapping dogs behind fences

Daylight abounds on strolls to labours toil

The clutter of hats, gloves and scarves now lost

Cross walks espied along with lawns and soil

Exposed young knees now brave the morning frost

Thick white icing on roofs no longer sweet

Side walks safe as block heater cables curl

Rubber not fur adorn our boot clad feet

Abridged cool engines preparations whirl

As winter colours fade from white to grey

Springs sweet smoky smells, are you here to stay?

Yes you guessed it, we are studying Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.  (The students' response being "Mr Walker, Mr Walker where for art thou Mr Walker!").

For those of you like me who need copious study guides and the invaluable website “No fear Shakespeare” to understand the bard:

Although spring had an official invitation in March she may have finally arrived - a week of positive day time temperatures.

I notice conversations about the weather have diminished. I think the feeling maybe warmer weather is here at last, let’s get on with it. 

Walking to and from school in warming daylight I have seen and heard Canadian Geese. I now realise there are cats in Lloydminster. Dogs have finally been released to brave the elements and are making up for lost time by barking at anything that moves. I also did not realise that for the past 3 months I was using a cross walk (Zebra Crossing). And I just thought Canadian motorists were polite to pedestrians.

People are venturing outside without toques (hats) and gloves. The deliciously warm fur lined boots are giving way to Wellington boots as people wade their way through puddles and swamps. 

Our planet may be saved from global warming - cars are only being warmed up for 5 minutes before being used. Previously it seemed engines were permanently running during the daytime.  At night the sensible compromise of block heaters were used. However, people parking cars on the street, oblivious to health, safety and litigation implications, ran block heater cables across the side-walk. A Canadian version of the banana peel joke.

Students are coming to school in SHORTS!!!! It is -5 in the mornings. Dread to think what they will be wearing when summer arrives.

Lloydminster has taken on a grey colour as the transition from winter to spring takes hold. (roofs no longer  blanketed in white). We are looking forward to all the beautiful colours of  green lawns and bloom. 

Other possible  indicators of spring we have noticed include:

The line up at the local car wash,

Quad bikes replacing snow mobiles in the back of trucks (utes).

Christmas decorations disappearing from trees, gardens and front doors.

Recycling collectors on the side of road where the snow has melted.

Cars in town are definitely driving faster.  

However, we have been warned winter conditions can return at any time – usually long weekends in April and May! 

So to make the most of the warmer weather  we had our first BBQ of the season – no flies, no rain, just the warm company of our friendly neighbours and deliciously charcoaled Canadian beef.

Saturday was a badminton marathon.  Bishop Lloyd entered 2 singles and three doubles teams in the Lloydminster division badminton competition held at St Mary's elementary school. 

The three Bishop Lloyd teams in their gold medal play off games.

Our 3 doubles teams made it to the gold medal play off game - the boys doubles being triumphant. Congratulations must go to all the players for their sportsmanship and organisational skills. It was also very pleasing to see so much support for all the teams from family and friends. Thanks also go to Brad for organising a long and successful day.

The knowledgeable  crowd appreciate the action.

Sunday we took a trip out to Dillberry Lake Provincial Park. On the way we came across the ubiquitous "Worlds Largest" - another classic:

Suzie the softball says - "Batter Up".

Terrific to see these well maintained elevators.

A spectator of fire hydrants!

Another farmland sentinel. 

Yep, should have bought my bathers (swimming trunks).

I miss my skis.

Great way to finish the day - Largest concentration of Stilt sandpipers.

A big thank you for those of you that identified the picture in last weeks blog as a Wasp's nest. Glad we didn't meet the wasps that made that nest!!

 

Echoes of trails, battles and spritual hope.

I will just lead this little beauty from the china shop.

We ventured into a little piece of Canadian history  this weekend.
On our drive north we went through Paradise Hill and encountered what could be the world's largest Red River Cart. Reading about the "Carlton Trail" and the hardships endured made the fact that my coffee mug would not fit into the cup holder a little less annoying.

The Northern Boreal forest made a fascinating contrast to the open agricultural land around Lloydminster. We saw plenty of deer, a skunk, something that resembled an otter  but the elusive moose escaped us again.

A stop at the Steele Narrows Provincial Park provided an opportunity to learn a little of the conflict between the settlers and The Cree. The hills around the pass was the site of  the final skirmish  between Plains and Wood Cree and "Steele's scouts" - an elite group of troops lead by Commander Sam Steele from the Alberta field force.

Double click and you may not need your glasses!

Near Loon Lake - site of the last skirmish of the North West resistance.

We next visited Makwa Provincial Park. Plenty of beautiful lakes, forest trails and wildlife.

Hanneke telling the time by pretending to be a sundial.

Al Fresco at Makwa's

 We have seen and photographed many churches in the local agricultural communities, however the "Shiloh Church" is one of the more unique. Situated north of Maidstone the church is the site of the first black (African American) settlement in Saskatchewan. The "Shiloh people" (a named attributed in the 1970's) emigrated from Oklahoma in 1910 to escape segregationist policies. They started building the church in 1911. It was recently restored by descendants of the settlers.

The "Shiloh Church" - not too many parishioners lately.

Inside the restored Church.

The resting place of more than 40 of the settlers.

A moving tribute to an amazing story

As the warmer weather has arrived (the day temperatures are being quoted minus the minus) we are making the most of the cross country skiing. In fact Hanneke has started her own club.

To join my club - first you need a set of cross country skis.

Making the most of the remaining snow.

Cross country skiing - you take what you can get!!

     

The bad news is that if the sun keeps shining we will be cross country swimming for the next few weeks.

Whilst at the Mekwa lakes we came across this unusual nest. About the size of the average cantaloupe (rock melon) it was attached to a branch about 30 centimetres from the ground near the lakes edge.

Mystery object number one - a nest of some sort? A lost blow fish? 

Getting the good Oil on a flamin' rivalry

Does it get any better?

The Coliseum.

9 goal thriller, extra time, shoot out, the bragging rights of Alberta on the line and the possiblity of play offs for one of the teams.
The ice hockey game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames was slow to start with only one goal in period 1 - but after that you just had to hold everything in until the end of the shoot out.

We really enjoyed the atmosphere in the Coliseum (Rexall Place). It was a real "oil slick' as we were the only ones in the crowd not wearing a teams paraphernalia.
The local fans really embrace their team ensuring they are fully 'lubricated' throughout the night.

And the show begins..................

Honestly guys, it may look and smell like it, but it wasn't me!

Spot the puck!

Entertainment even during the breaks - dodgem cars.

The moment of truth - the shoot out.

It isn't cheap to watch a National Hockey game but we certainly got our moneys worth on Saturday.

And what all the fight is about.

A fact unknown to many Canadians (and Australians I suspect) is that a few Australians play Ice Hockey. A recent story from an Australian student news  program (Behind the News) generated some interest and plenty of mirth amongst my students:


 http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3160646.htm

Whilst Canada has lost the rivalry for being the biggest country in the world (although they are catching up with a few more independent Russian states) they continue to lead the race for the largest objects in the world. This weekend we had the privilege of seeing two more. The pysanka (Ukrainian Easter Egg) is a masterpiece of engineering and design. It symbolizes prosperity, life, food, fortune and eternity. It was erected to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Is this free range or battery?

The world largest Pysanka

Not 100% sure what the worlds largest sausage represents, other than a big feed. However we are looking forward to visiting Vilna (just north of Mundare) to view the worlds largest mushrooms and  completing the trip to view the worlds biggest omelette ingredients!

Words fail me!

 

 

 

 Not necessarily a rivalry, but something that continues to impress, are the majestic and ornate churches in the area. In fact Lamont (north East of Edmonton) is labelled the Church Capital of North America with 46 historic churches in the County.

 

It may not be the worlds largest National Park, but Elk Island National Park east of Edmonton certainly rivals most for its preservation of wildlife. The park is renowned for the big six icons of Canadian wildlife: the Wood and Plains Bison, the White Tail and Mule Deer, Elk and Moose.

We wondered if this was planted evidence of wildlife!

Whilst we only saw some plains and wood bison we saw plenty of evidence of the range of wildlife in the park. Tracks, body hair and recent calling cards all suggested we would encounter a deer, elk or moose soon. 

Winter in Canada may be cold, white and long but it does afford a myriad of activities; cross country skiing for us is amongst the best. The combination of exercise, tranquillity, breathtaking scenery and wilderness encounters more than makes up for the frost bite, nose icicles and hypothermia.

If these are not all season wash rooms, there will be trouble.  

               

One of these trees must be suitable!!       

A plains Bison

and its very rare cousin.... the Hippy Bison.

And on the subject of rivalry a national election has just been announced for May 2.
Thanks to Dawn, Hanneke and I are now a  great deal wiser about the Canadian election process.
Voting is not compulsory here so it will be interesting to see if the campaign is any different from Australia. One thing is for sure, if Canadian elections are anything like their Ice Hockey games, we are in for a treat.