Lifestyle and Leisure
Wallace's Canadian Blog April 07
Rachel Wallace, our blogger in Nova Scotia, provides her fourth instalment on life in Eastern Canada
Well we had the 'dump' of snow we were warned about. Last Sunday (8th April) we woke up to about a foot of snow but luckily by this weekend it has almost all disappeared and it was lovely and sunny and warm today - although not as warm as we saw Britain was getting this weekend! Apparently, we don't get spring here, it is winter then all of a sudden summer, but the sunny days certainly make up for it.
The children and I were driving home the other evening when we had to stop to let three deer cross the road in front of us, rather nicer than having to stop for drunks crossing the road! Our garden has loads of squirrels and birds but we have yet to see the raccoons and black bears!
Ian has now passed another exam and is on his next course: Only about another four to go. Coming to Canada there are so many opportunities so if you want to change your career you can, but Ian decided to stick to what he knew. When he finally gets there it will be a good job and he would probably have ended up training anyway if he chose a different career.
We have joined our local library, which Jack and Kerry enjoy going to. When it was Spring Break they had various workshops which the children could go to for free. Jack went to two different libraries to do art workshops. Also, in the DIY stores they have sessions where you can go in and learn different things to do with decorating, which is really useful. In the supermarkets they have cooking classes and also classes for children.
The kids over here get nine weeks for summer holidays but they certainly don't need to be bored. There are tons of summer camps for all sorts of things - sports, dancing, art, music, adventure, boating, etcetera. Most camps last for one week either in the mornings or afternoons. On average they cost about CDN$60 for the week, which isn't too bad. Jack is booked up for art and Kerry is going to have a go at hip hop dancing. I have now joined a belly dancing class, which should keep me fit.
Last week I started a part-time job working in a second-hand book store which suits me down to the ground as I love reading. Paperbacks over here are really quite expensive so finding this shop was great, especially as you get credit when you return the book. I only have to do two days a week from 9–3.30 so the kids are only on their own for about half an hour. In the summer holidays the students like to work in there so I will only probably have to do one day a week. We wont be making our millions from me working there but it's enjoyable - plus I get to read the books for free!
From writing this blog I am now in contact with about 15 families hoping to move over here. I have had six families come to visit us and it is lovely meeting all these new people and trying to help them with any information they need. Keep the emails coming!
Better finish up for this month, got to go and make pack lunches for tomorrow – some things never change.
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