Happy New Year, dear Readers.
We came home from Canada to face an Australian heatwave...
The only selfie I took on our trip is but a distant memory -
face and hands frozen in -18c, in glaring white snow against a stunning blue sky.
You can even see the snow reflected in my sunglasses.
After Christmas we had a few more adventures...
One night we bundled up and went to a drive-through Christmas light show.
It was set up in a Summer camp ground, with a winding road through the snow and trees, taking 30 minutes to drive slowly past it all (no leaving the car permitted!)
Various themes unfolded, to the delight of all, including the complete song, Twelve Days of Christmas.
Our organised daughter brought chocolate treats and drinks to enjoy during the spectacle - and the boys were spellbound by it all.
Eventually we came to the Nativity scenes, and then exited through this:
When the 'Big Freeze' hit the area, we were undeterred and drove to Brockville on the St Lawrence Seaway. That is New York state across the water.
We visited a Maritime Museum, which is particularly well set up for children.
It kept the boys entertained for several hours.
Here is young M mounting the guns of a full-size Pirate Ship.
Here is H, at the Otter acquarium. Those otters were the biggest I have ever seen...huge!
I never tired of trying to photograph the snowy vistas from the car, just trying to preserve the beautiful memories.
A very special treat awaited us on New Year's Day.
We drove two hours north and into Quebec, where we visited Escapade Eskimo, at Otter Lake.
This was the coldest weather we experienced.
Despite my fur-lined snow boots and two pair of thick wool socks, in a heated car, my feet became frozen from the cold which seeped in via the crack around the car door!
We were warmly greeted by the owner of a large wooden lodge, our accommodation for the night.
This was the coldest weather we experienced.
Despite my fur-lined snow boots and two pair of thick wool socks, in a heated car, my feet became frozen from the cold which seeped in via the crack around the car door!
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| barn en route, not our lodge! |
We were warmly greeted by the owner of a large wooden lodge, our accommodation for the night.
We were here for the adventure of Dog Sledding -
it was so cold I could only stay outside about 5-10 minutes at a time.
We all had a ride, about five minutes going very fast through the woodland, inches from the snowy forest floor.
Reader, I did it!
It was too fast and too cold to take photos during the ride, but I did take the shot of my feet at the end. Those boots certainly had some adventures.
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| Previous three photos from Escapade Eskimo website |
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| Mr C and young H |
That night there was another heavy snow fall, and it continued next morning as we left, having trouble getting the car up a slope of snow drifts to the main road. Which was also covered in snow - the snow plough had not reached us in the wilderness. To we Australians, it was like another planet...
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| Driving through snow |
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| Frozen Lake Otter |
We are so grateful to our daughter and her family, for arranging many wonderful White Christmas experiences, and looking after us so well.
It was so sad to leave, not knowing when we will see them again.
I can still here those dear little voices, singing 'Oh Canada' to us in French, as we drove to the airport...
XXXXX
What lovely memories of your trip. Your grandsons are completely adorable, you must miss them but are you able to FaceTime or Skype? Technology would make the miles between you somewhat easier I'm guessing.
ReplyDeleteSo happy you are honorary Canadians! Cold here isn't it? And good for you for going dog-sledding, I've never done that myself but now I want to. Thanks for sharing your trip. xx
Yes, we sometimes Skype the boys, although the time difference is not easy to work with. I hope they are more interested in talking to us now they have seen us recently. It was never on my wish list to go dog-sledding, I had more the idea of a gentle pony pulling a graceful sleigh :) However, despite some misgivings I realised I would be sorry if I did not join in, and am so glad I did.
DeleteYou have certainly experienced a full Canadian winter now! Lovely photos. Your grandsons are very sweet! Stay cool. Xo
ReplyDeleteThank you Jen. They are very sweet little boys, and such fun to be with. We certainly saw the coldest that the Ottawa area could produce for a White Christmas.
DeleteOh my goodness Patricia, such a wonderful, but very cold, adventure for the two of you. The countryside did look beautiful - so glad you have happy memories of this wonderful trip to see your family.
ReplyDeleteHave you thawed out yet?
It was very, very beautiful Mary, and a perfect White Christmas. We thawed out very quickly on our return, however mentally I think I am still in the moment, going over all the events in my mind. I took lots of photos, trying not to miss anything.
DeleteOh, it looks like such a wonderful visit. Cold, but you were all together and that's just terrific. I'm so glad you had the chance to see them and I hope you'll get to spend more time with them again soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennifer. It was a wonderful visit, thanks to our dear daughter who thought of all the festive activities for us, as well as looking after her home and family. We don't know when we will meet again, which makes it so much more previous.
DeleteI mean PRECIOUS!
DeleteWhat a wonderful trip you had visiting your family. There you are in your heavy coat! Love this picture, Patricia, and it's nice to see our blog friend's faces once in awhile. Your grandson looks like he's having a great time exploring and dreaming of pirate ships. The snow is so beautiful, and looks very cold. How fun that you had a dog sledding adventure. When I was younger, I drove the snow mobiles, and it was such a fun experience as well. How sweet that you heard the voices of little ones singing "Oh Canada." Something you will always remember, Patricia. : )
ReplyDeletelove, ~Sheri
Hi Sheri, driving a snow mobile sounds great fun too. The snow is made for such adventures. The only thing we missed was making a snowman, just did not get around to that. The little boys were such fun, and we had great times playing with them. They burst into song spontaneously during the day, always a delight to hear.
DeleteDear Patricia - I am so pleased that your holiday with your daughter and grandchildren in Canada was such a success and that you got the snow that you so dearly hoped for.
ReplyDeleteNow that you have experienced very cold snowy weather do you prefer to be very hot or very cold?
I have never known it as cold as you had in Canada, and possibly not the great heat that you get in Australia.
Glad that you are home safe and sound and back blogging again.
Thank you Rosemary. The extreme cold in Canada was more than I would wish to live in, although in general I like cold weather, say around zero is fine. Our recent extreme hot summers are not to my liking either - my favourite season remains Autumn.
DeleteFabulous time and wonderful memories Trish. Loved seeing all your adventures xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Michelle, we had the best time, and thanks to Katie for all the interesting excursions. Lots of memories to treasure. xx
DeleteWelcome back. Looks like it was an amazing trip. Lowest temp I've been to was -20 in Beijing... I remember the forecast ... a high of -10 and a low of -20! ha ha ha! Almost comical if it didn't hurt. Back to the furnace! Sofie/www.sewdarntired... for some reason I cannot post comments on a lot of blogs for some reason.
ReplyDeleteHi Sofie, yes, what a furnace Brisbane is! -20 is pretty bad, after that you stop caring I think...don't have any recorded temps for the dog sledding area but suspect -30 would be more like it. Can't believe I did all those things, but those little grandies have a powerful tug on my heart and energies :)
DeleteHI Patricia...
ReplyDeleteCan I go and stay with your daughter next Christmas???
You have seen more sights than I!!!
Fabulous trip...and fabulous memories for sure!
Of course we are not usually that darn cold...it was a very extreme time that you were here...the temps ahve calmed down to normal!!
You comment on mine, asked for the recipe for the coffee cake...send me your email, and I would be pleased to send you the recipe...
Enjoy your day!!
Cheers!
Linda
ps..there is a pic on my IG!!
Hi Linda, you will have to go to Ottawa next Christmas, just follow my trail, lol.
DeleteCanada put on quite a show regarding cold and snow - might not have contemplated going if I'd known, but once there you just get on with it. Will send my email, can't wait to make your coffee cake, saw the IG pic. Cheers.
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DeleteDog sledding! You can scratch that off your list now! LOL!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post but I must ask you, did you see any red cardinals in the snow or were you too busy shivering? Bet you are glad to be back in warm place!
Ha, and dog sledding happened because I wanted a 'sleigh ride' - elegantly wrapped in fur, seated in a carriage pulled by ponies....
DeleteNo sadly no red cardinals, or any other birds either. DD did not want me putting out seed because the squirrels are a bit of a pest. Disappointed, but then I did see a big red wooden cardinal, and brought home a little glass one found in a drug store. As you do.
While the weather was remarkably cold, I never shivered once. Only my face and hands got cold now and then. I keep that heavy down coat in Canada and it is good for the North Pole if required. Not really glad to be back here in a heat wave, I actually prefer cold weather. Live in the wrong place, don't I??
What a contrast! These lovely winter scenes with your family and now I am watching the tennis from Australia and the heat seems awful.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Yes, it is very hot in Australia this month, and for us a huge contrast to our experience in Canada. But one adjusts - after a week or two! I did love all those winter scenes, and have many more photos of the snowy countryside. I just loved it. xo
DeleteWhat a snowy holiday you had, Patricia. I think you were very brave to embark on all those outdoor activities! Thank you for taking us there with you, though. Lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteHi Val, I think my family's perception is that I am not very brave, but I looked down at that dog sled and just knew I'd regret it for the rest of my life if I didn't get down into it!! We both notice it is the first thing we talk about to people re our trip. Glad you enjoyed.
DeleteHi Patricia wow what a wonderful experience,love your pics,the snow looks so beautiful,thankyou for sharing your wonderful experiences with us xx
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it - I loved those snow scenes so much, could not stop taking photos! xx
Deletehow wonderful... I have never experienced a white Christmas and it looks just perfect... I am not sure the driver would have survived the drive with me as a passenger but what an experience...
ReplyDeleteHello R, welcome to my blog. I waited my whole life for this, my first White Christmas. Better late than never, and it was incredibly gorgeous in every way. The driver got a bit annoyed with me when I was freaking out driving over snow in the wilderness. She kept saying 'Mum, help is only a phone call away...' I think she meant Shut Up Mum!!
DeleteWell you managed to bring a tear to my eye imaging your trip followed by the goodbyes at the airport! Happy to read how well your trip went, Trish. I don't know how parents get children through such bitter cold winters, but Canadian families do very well! The snow is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Thank you Debbie. I don't know how they do it either, but my daughter is super organised. Her mud room is tiny, but she has little cubicles with all the necessities for snow, and the boys know what they have to do. She did mention though, that one night their central heating broke down and they had to pack up and go to a relative to sleep the night, so there is that. Too cold to stay in your own home! I think Canada has the biggest contingent of snow ploughs in the world.
DeleteWhat a wonderful time you must have had. I enjoyed all your photo's but the words at the end of the post left me a bit teary. I think I will call all my kids and grandkids today. I can talk to them even if not see them in person. XOXO
ReplyDeleteHello Dear Darla, I am glad you enjoyed my photos, and yes, you have picked up on the difficult part: we so rarely see our little grandsons, and they will be changed and older next time. We have to preserve the memories! I hope you enjoyed speaking to yours today. xxox
DeleteMy goodness, one extreme to another, weather wise! I did enjoy a winter we once spent in Quebec and another in Toronto, but the snow got me down after a while, specially when we almost missed our plane from Toronto after a massive white-out on the drive to the airport!
ReplyDelete