Jasper baby!

Went to Jasper yesterday.  For lunch.  As you do.  Took 6 hours to drive there but only 4.5 to come back, as I found a better route by accident.  Missed a turn and found a highway that wasn't on my map!

Jasper was....incredible.  Can't describe it.  I've never seen the Rockies before, so this was important for me.  Didn't see much wildlife, which apparently is rather odd.  However, it is me.  If you want to be safe from wildlife, just hang around me.  I never get to see anything good :(  Three years living in Sudbury and not a bear or moose around.  BUT, I did see some beautiful hawks from the car and the highlight was a bald eagle!  I should have seen at least some mountain goats or elk but nothing this time.

Jasper town is just lovely, as you can imagine, with all the tourists around.  But so laid back and friendly.  Even for Canada.  I kind of forgot to take photos after a while, so the few I did take aren't really the best ones.  It rained a bit while I was there but even that didn't matter at all.  Didn't think about the temperature difference - 24C in Edmonton but only 15C in Jasper - so it gave me an excuse to buy a lovely sweater.  I have got to go back soon, but I really need someone to go with me!  The car trip is nice and all but I need someone to talk to for 10 hours!

photos!!!

Just put a whack of photo on FB, so here's the link and you trogs can look too :)


http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.203625923034291.53649.100001606539120&l=9e7233c13a&type=1

Will this never end!?

OK.  The kitchen is DONE.  The bathroom is DONE.  I have a TON of cupboard food that I don't know what to do with.  The recycling is overflowing.  And I'm starting to wonder if all my stuff will fit in my bags.

Today is super.

And just as a goodbye prezzie, the heavens have decided to remind me of the British weather that I will sorely miss...

BUT

I've got my ipod on, I'm dancing to some German industrial metal (scaring the crap out of Oscar in the process), and I'm just about to DO the bedroom.   A few errands to do in town and then sorting out my packing later.  I THINK I'm still on track.  Of course my loom still hasn't shown up.  But I'm supposed to phone them to sort it out.  I have no idea what they can do now besides offer to send it to Canada, which I really doubt will happen.

And it's starting to hit home.  My god, I will be in the cargo area of Heathrow at this time tomorrow and on my way out of here for a long time.  Shit.

Well, I guess I'd better start doing this...

OK, so I have an audience now!

After the yard sale last Sunday, I've gotten rid of a LOT of stuff but there's still lots left.  It's looking like I'll have time this weekend to stick the rest out with a 20p sign and take the rest to charity.  The sale combined with selling my freezer and couch/chair will be enough to get myself a lovely nice queen size bed.  Never had a 'nice' bed and never queen size.  Of course it will be the only stick of furniture in the flat...

I MAY have just sold my motorbike.  Again.  But the guy was pretty interested and his son seemed ecstatic.  Fingers crossed he does call me tomorrow evening.

I'm getting excited about snow.  I know people here hate it.  I LOVE snow.  Always have and I've missed it terribly, although we've had small reminders the past couple of years in Sussex!  There are 200km of trails running through Smoky, so I plan to get CC skis this winter for sure.   Haven't done that in AGES.  Great to find out about the trails because we don't have footpaths in Canada and I've been warned by my flatmate from Calgary to not try tramping across fields because I will get shot.  I don't think she was entirely kidding.

Also really excited about skating!  WOOHOO!  I LOVE skating and haven't been on any skates in about 11 years since my days on the outdoor rink in northern Ontario.  I've been told that the public skating times at the rink are limited because every parent wants their child to be the next Wayne Gretsky but I'll persevere.

So.  Just finished cleaning out my desk.  I know I have a week left but I didn't know how long this would take and I need to get my stuff home and sorted.  Wolfy has said I might get a print of his SEM seeds as my present!!  AWESOME!  I've also just bought a Rachel Pedder-Smith print from the Tate.  I've always coveted this Legume print in Paul's office and Robin's dining room.  Now that I'll have a proper office at work, I can decorate it!