Road Test Passed...........

I didn't sleep at all last night worrying whether or not I would pass. I was going over things in my head time and time again, until I got to a point I was sick and tired of all the information swirling around in there.

Really in the grand scale of things it doesn't matter if you pass first time, as the next day you can just take it again.

Be that as it may, I have passed and I am over the moon. Unfortunately for me I have not been here ten days yet, so I am not allowed to flip my licence. I suppose that is just something I have to deal with; it is Albertan law.

I'm going to enjoy the weekend, as over here it is Bank Holiday Monday, and I can't do anything until Tuesday. The driver relations guy at H+R, has told me I should be out either that day or Wednesday. So its feet up time, relax and enjoy......

House Hunting

Here are some of the pictures of a house I went to look at the other day.

These pictures were taken for the benefit of the wife, who saw the outside last year, but not the finished product inside.

Question is, will the bank lend us the money???????

Busy Day.....

Today was a busy day. Got up a 0500 and arranged the transfer of the money from England, as I have now set up the bank account. That has been sent and should take 2-4 days to land here. Made an application for a mortgage and should get and answer by the end of the week. However in Canada you have to show 3 months of wages first, so we may have to wait. Had my first driving lesson with a non syncromesh gearbox, and only the revs to change gears plus the fact it was 53 ft long was an experience. I was very pleased with my performance.

After that I did my theory test and passed with 98%. Should have committed it to memory in the first place and not relied on common sense and I would have passed first time. You live and learn. Got picked up by the realtor next and taken to nobleford to look at houses. Only 2 I liked though. I am going to send the pics to Sarah later. The one I liked best was up for rent as well. So I might look at a rent2buy if they won't lend the money to me. Fixed rate on mortgage 5 years at 4.5% and around 3.25% on a variable.

Mandy is picking me up tomorrow and we are going car hunting. (Mandy for those who don't know is my mates wife)

Everything is spinning along quite nicely and I am relatively pleased.

Classroom tuition is a good standard. Everything is passed in the classroom and all I have left to do is the orientation, which is done after my road test. In cab tuition is not the best. Instructor is an experienced driver and is able to teach the gears well. I struggle however with all the grey arrears in the instruction he gives; its not cut and dry. He's not like a driving instructor in England is what I am trying to say, But hey this is Canada maaaan.

He recons the norm is around 15 to 20 hours of tuition, but I'm hoping I won't need that much.

I'll keep you posted.....

Hans Day....

Today Hans, who is the guy who takes you everywhere, took us everywhere..

We started at the drugs test place. (Pee in the bottle.) Then we went for our social security numbers so we are able to pay taxes. After that it was to H+R to do our Alberta Health Care. Then we had our Medicals, sight test was good but my blood pressure was a bit high. (Doctor advised I watch this) From there we went to the bank. Had a good chat about accounts and the like, applied for a mortgage and a credit card, deposited some money.

Then I went to the theory test place to have another go, but there were 3 waiting and only and hour till closing, so I would have to come back tomorrow.

Got back to the hotel and spoke to the Realtor (Estate Agent). She is showing me some houses tomorrow, after I have had my driving lesson.

There is a lasagne in the microwave for my tea and I am enjoying myself................

Theory Test

Managed to change my licence for an Albertan one this morning and thought as I was there I would have a go at my theory test. I got the first 20 questions right and thought I was plain sailing until I got hit with the ones I didn't know..

6 of them in a row and it was all over. Good thing is by the next time I do it, I will have sat the air brake test, so hopefully I will pass it next time.

Well here's for hoping anyway.......

Landed...

The journey seemed to be never ending, but I got here finally at 2200 local time, exactly 24 hours after I got up. I had 2 first class seats to myself on the plane, so I got to sprawl out. Definitely money well spent.

Sailed through immigration when I landed, which was all pretty straight forward and met the guy picking me up. He brought me to the hotel and after unpacking I was in bed for 2300. I woke up at 3, 4, 5 and 6 o'clock. Couldn't sleep at all. Too many things swirling around in my head.

The shuttle from the hotel took everyone on my course to the training school at 0715 and we were learning for 0800. It was very informative and was a lot to take in, but I passed both courses and am now back at the hotel. (I don't think that its possible to fail, but I was very impressed with my 97%.)

Have been told that tomorrow is a day off. So I am going to try and change my licence on my own and if I succeed, I will have a crack at the theory test tomorrow.

Fingers crossed.....

Last Weekend before the big push....

Really looking forward to this weekend. Tonight I think I will go to the Rugby with the father-in-law. Hull fc are playing the Celtic Crusaders. Not a big fan of the Rugby League, but a big fan of the pub before hand. (Much better than the silky shirt wearing softy footballers though)

Tomorrow is Emma 5th birthday party, so that should be really good fun. I'm glad I will be here to see her open her presents. I don't normally get to see this, as I am always away. (I'm sure you drivers know all about this.) She is having a big party, with a bouncy castle and everything. Thanks in advance to all those who help set up.

On Sunday we are going to Sarah's friends for a barbecue. Apparently she is the master chef on the outdoor oven, so I'll let you know the result.

Here's hoping the weather is with us......

London.......

Success or Failure

We left my parents house nice and early on Monday morning and headed for the Smoke.. 45 minutes down the road, we spotted a large queue ahead of us and dived into the services just before we joined the back. McDonald's breakfast was the first order of the day, so we all piled in their for a bite to eat. Half an hour later, with full stomachs, we braved the M3 and to our surprised sailed through the roadworks with very little trouble.

The M3 turned into the 316 and it was time for our first sight of the day. Fortress Twickenham!!!! We only drove past it, but always good value when you see it. (As you can probably tell my game is Rugby)

We drove past Battersea dogs home and then the power station before we turned into the Market for our cheap parking spot for the day. Covent Garden Market parking is strictly for the customers of the markets, but after years of going in and out, I always thought their system was up for abuse. And I was right... £4 for an entire days parking... Result.

Sarah did moan about the walk to the tube station, but I had taken that into consideration, so was well prepared. (Good job it wasn't raining)

We bought our travel cards at Vauxhall Station and made our way to our first sight. Westminster.. We came out of the station, looked around, saw a building , tried to decipher what it was, couldn't, looked up and our questions were answered. BIG BEN....... Standing right next to it and couldn't see it, what a family of duffers...

Take a picture Sarah says I. OK says she. Wheres the camera says she... You had it says I... No I don't says she... What a pair of Muppet's, we left it in the car. There goes my cheap parking; got to buy a disposable camera now, from the robbing vendor over the road from the big clock. 10 poxy pound, this could really get expensive. Oh how I love London...

We crossed Westminster bridge and headed for the big wheel. I never really fancied this attraction, but am glad we went and did it. It only takes 30 mins to go around and about 60 mins to get tickets and queue. Not very good value for money, but the views are fantastic. We pointed out to the kids, all the different buildings using a photo map; spotted Buckingham Palace and made that our next destination.

When we got off we ate the pack-up my loving mother had made us, and then sat in the sun as the kids had a little run around in the park.

Jake had really been looking forward to pulling faces at the guardsmen, but they are all inside now and miles away, so he wasn't very impressed. We took a couple of pictures and then waited for the Queen to show her face out of one of the windows, but after a couple of minutes got bored and started making our way down the Mall towards Horseguards. We stopped for ice cream and enjoyed watching a pelican attack everyone in its vicinity.

We passed the Treasury and made our way to number 10. Got to stand next to a big black gate and look down Downing Street, but all you can see is number 12. What a load of rubbish.....

With tired feet, we crossed the road and boarded the number 87 bus to take us back to Vauxhall. On route we passed Westminster Abbey and the MI6 building (didn't see 007) and I walked back to the car, with Jake, as the girls all looked pretty knackered.

I changed the route out of London (due to traffic), so Jake didn't get to see Wembley. I suppose though, he wouldn't have seen a lot through closed eyelids. Everybody was asleep before the north circular and I had another 3 1/2 hours to drive.

We stopped for a lovely dinner in Grantham and finally got home at 2100. The kids went straight to bed and I collapsed on the sofa. It was a great day and the kids now have memories of their capital city to take with them to Canada.....

Going Away......

I'm off to my Mum and Dads for the weekend. Its the last time we will see them before the big off. The kids are really looking forward to it. On the way back we are going to London to see the sites, as Sarah and the kids have never done it.

Pictures upon our return as no Internet at my parents.

Swine Flu

The Senior school just up the road has two cases of the flu. Some of the parents have kept their kids off.

I think the advice is to just carry on as normal, and if your gonna get it then your gonna get it.

From Mexico to 200 meters away, is quite a distance. I really hope nobody I know gets it; or me for that matter.

13 days to avoid it.

Oink Oink.....

Two weeks today!

The countdown has just dawned on me....

14 Days to go......

I am really nervous and I didn't expect it. For all those who don't know me this is quite unprecedented. It's a huge step into the unknown and top that, with knowing, its not by any stretch going to be a bed of roses, my heart is beating faster...

If it was only me to look after, I don't think I would bat an eyelid. However its not.

I would like to thank all those who have shared their own experiences both, on the net and by phone and who have let me know what I can expect. I am very grateful for this, as it gives an insight, which is invaluable!!

Fingers crossed!

Fat Fu##ers

I am now officiously two stone lighter than when I started weight watchers. (15 stone 9.) Only got 2 stone left to lose and I think that will be my lot. I am exactly a stone behind Sarah's loss, but I'm sure I will beat her in the end. Trouble is though it doesn't matter how much I lose I'll never look as good as her.......

Money Change.......

Finally took the plunge yesterday, after what seem like a lifetime of watching the exchange rates, and change all our money to Canadian Dollars. Our rate was 1.8941 to the £. Its the highest its been in a long time due to the Canadian Dollar struggling as much as the pound. (All the other currencies are doing much better than the pound.) I now have to stop watching the market, because if goes up more I'm sure I'll end up kicking myself.

Jakes Sports Day......

This was a slightly bigger affair than Laurens, and went on much longer. By the time it had finnished we had to go and pick up the kids straight away, as it was going home time. (On Laurens day there was time to sit down and basque in the sun, before getting the other 2)

I put some videos down the bottom so you can see the events. Jake did really well, in most of the events; but I think the highlight of the day was beating his friend William to third place in the pick-the-bean-bag-up-running-race.