After a long flight from LA to Brisbane we stepped off to be met by Darryl. He did a great job in the admin of our GSE trip and we are very greatful to him indeed. A bus trip home with at least 1 hours sleep was the final stage of my GSE visit to Canada.To the members of the team,thanks for making my job as team leader an easy one. To the District in Canada and the Clubs concerned thanks so much. June and Myrna hugs to you both for a job well done... I look forward to getting some photos from Matt and visiting clubs in District 9600 for presentations. Anyone in Rotary who is thinking of becoming a team leader ,don't hesitate to apply,it is a great experience and you will meet so many new friends. The family of Rotary is alive and very well. Canada I love you so much. See you all again. I look forward to catching up with my family and Denise when she returns from France.
Bob Ward.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Home Safe and Sound!
Hello everyone! Thought I would do a quick blog to let you know that Bob, Hilda and I arrived home safe and sound this morning, despite nearly missing our connecting flight in LA!! That was an experience in itself - trying to find where we had to check in at LA when the flight was suppose to be boarding! Lucky we made it, only a little flustered!
We had mostly good flights home, only experiencing some rough turbulence on the way to LA, and we got through customs relatively easy. It was also great to be greeted by Darryl on our arrival in Brisbane.
I would like to take this time to once again thank District 5550, DG June, Myrna, our host familes, host clubs and all our wonderful new friends for such a fantastic experience. Your hospitaltiy and friendship was priceless and we all had a fantastic time - THANK YOU! I would also like to thank our district, District 9600, for giving us all this opportunity and allowing us to represent our District. I am sure from the blog that you can see we have had a brilliant time!
Although I am sure I will miss Canada (especially on Tuesday when I go back to work!!), it is nice to be home with my family and unpacking and finding all of my new goodies!
Have a great time in BC Lisa, and New York Matt! Thanks again to all of our new friends, we look forward to seeing you "Down Under" soon! Bec
We had mostly good flights home, only experiencing some rough turbulence on the way to LA, and we got through customs relatively easy. It was also great to be greeted by Darryl on our arrival in Brisbane.
I would like to take this time to once again thank District 5550, DG June, Myrna, our host familes, host clubs and all our wonderful new friends for such a fantastic experience. Your hospitaltiy and friendship was priceless and we all had a fantastic time - THANK YOU! I would also like to thank our district, District 9600, for giving us all this opportunity and allowing us to represent our District. I am sure from the blog that you can see we have had a brilliant time!
Although I am sure I will miss Canada (especially on Tuesday when I go back to work!!), it is nice to be home with my family and unpacking and finding all of my new goodies!
Have a great time in BC Lisa, and New York Matt! Thanks again to all of our new friends, we look forward to seeing you "Down Under" soon! Bec
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Thank you Rotary District 5550 and Rotary International
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Regina airport on departure with our Assiniboia "family" Leanne & Greg
... and with our Regina family Alison, Janice, Ray and Kathy
The night before departure and a fond farewell to dear friends
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At Thompson's Wuskwatim hydro dam with Ted & Vivian
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Fred playing piano during our visit to Fort Qu'Appelle
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
It's time to go
Well today is our last day. We had a great meal at Moxies last night with our Regina family, followed by drinks at Scott and Janice's. I think Scott wanted an excuse to clear out his weird alcohol collection.
It was a great night and have us an opportunity to say good by to some friends!
In a few hours we will be off to the airport. Bob, Bec and Hilda are off home, Lisa is off to BC to meet Jess and I am off to New York. It's been a great time and we have made many new friends, I think we are all looking forward to the break. Though won't take long for us to want to be back in Canada!
Cheers Matt
It was a great night and have us an opportunity to say good by to some friends!
In a few hours we will be off to the airport. Bob, Bec and Hilda are off home, Lisa is off to BC to meet Jess and I am off to New York. It's been a great time and we have made many new friends, I think we are all looking forward to the break. Though won't take long for us to want to be back in Canada!
Cheers Matt
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
3450 feet under Thompson
We had an exciting morning tour of Inco- Nickel mines for an underground tour! It was kind of scary to be going down into the mine shaft 3450 feet below the earth. It was fantastic how they take down all the heavy equipment apart and send them down on the elevator and re -assemble underground in the Garagemahal as they call it. We are enjoying the unique activities ( highlights) of the various towns visited besides the vocations too.
The Pisew falls and the other amazing natural wonders of Canada are fantastic.
Soon it will be time to leave Canada. How time flies when you are having the time of your life. To Fred and the kids I will be home soon. Nohonga kite mamao.
Hilda
SI - GSE Team member
The Pisew falls and the other amazing natural wonders of Canada are fantastic.
Soon it will be time to leave Canada. How time flies when you are having the time of your life. To Fred and the kids I will be home soon. Nohonga kite mamao.
Hilda
SI - GSE Team member
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Pictures speak a thousand words!!
Thought I would add a few more photos of our journey as they really do speak a thousand words and depict the wonderful time we are having. (These are much better to view than my face pulling as well! Am sure my mum will be proud of me!). How fantastic is the photo of Hilda - it's great! Sorry I haven't written any comments about the photos, I am still working out that bit of technology!!
Bec
Wednesday in Thompson
Hello all, thought I would put some photos up and show you just some of the things we are up to.
I went and visited a mine site this morning and meet up with the head of OH&S training (Risk Management), very interesting when you are dealing with 10s of people over a km underground compared to our OH&S training were a paper cut is a serious problem! Again it was great to talk to people with similar jobs to me, and find out we are having the same challenges as back home. I then meet up with a heavy Earth machinery contracting company that crushes gravel for roads and for the local nickel mine. I was taken to a quarry and given a tour, though they wouldn’t let me near the explosives….
In responses to Bec’s critique of my dancing I thought I did a great job, considering I didn’t know what I was doing, and just trying to do it like everyone else, while Bec sat down and watched eating dessert!!!
We are getting used to very patch mobile coverage, they don’t have anything like Telstra’s Next G network (gratuitous plug) over here. So we are looking forward to Thursday when we should hit coverage, and meet up with many of the people we have meet on our journey so far!
Anyway we’ve had so much fun over here and have plenty more to come, here are some photos!
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The team with Heather at Heather and Mac's place in Dauphin
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Bec in Dauphin at a national park (can't remember what it's called)
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Matt and Lisa in The Pas doing ‘Rick’s Balloon Challenge’
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Lisa at Pisew Falls
I went and visited a mine site this morning and meet up with the head of OH&S training (Risk Management), very interesting when you are dealing with 10s of people over a km underground compared to our OH&S training were a paper cut is a serious problem! Again it was great to talk to people with similar jobs to me, and find out we are having the same challenges as back home. I then meet up with a heavy Earth machinery contracting company that crushes gravel for roads and for the local nickel mine. I was taken to a quarry and given a tour, though they wouldn’t let me near the explosives….
In responses to Bec’s critique of my dancing I thought I did a great job, considering I didn’t know what I was doing, and just trying to do it like everyone else, while Bec sat down and watched eating dessert!!!
We are getting used to very patch mobile coverage, they don’t have anything like Telstra’s Next G network (gratuitous plug) over here. So we are looking forward to Thursday when we should hit coverage, and meet up with many of the people we have meet on our journey so far!
Anyway we’ve had so much fun over here and have plenty more to come, here are some photos!
The team with Heather at Heather and Mac's place in Dauphin Bec in Dauphin at a national park (can't remember what it's called).JPG)
Ukrainian Catholic Chapel in Dauphin
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Bec and Lisa in the Legislator building in Winnipeg-singing the National Anthem
Bob at the Cell Phone (Mobile Phone) olympics - doing his bit for Queen and country
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The team at Clearwater Lake view where the ice had pilled up.
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Me at the Lake!.JPG)
Matt on a Quad bike at Clearwater Lake- The Pas, I want one!!
Matt and Lisa in The Pas doing ‘Rick’s Balloon Challenge’.JPG)
Lisa at Pisew Falls
The Pas and Thompson
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Bob and Lisa overlooking ice-covered Clearwater Lake.JPG)
The team at Pisew Falls near Thompson.JPG){kind=spacer}
Hilda holding some of the 10 miles of ice still covering Clearwater LakeIn the past few days we've certainly experienced what Canada has to offer in the great outdoors in the spring.
We hit The Pas and explored the museum which presented many interesting facts about the wildlife and the history of the area.
Rick and Fran hosted me at their lakeside home and Rick introduced Bec and I to the adrenaline rush of catching lake trout on an ice covered lake! Rick introduced Matt and Bob to the joy of sitting in the boat and trying to catch trout on an ice covered lake!!
This was followed by quad bike riding (where I spotted a rarely sighted Timberwolf) and a short bushwalk to the caves and a lookout point over an expanse of ice that took our breath away.
We then farewelled yet another group of friends and headed to the northern-most point on our trip ... Thompson. On the way we visited the beautiful Pisew Falls and Paint Lake, where at Pisew Falls we not only saw a spectacular cliff of snow slowly melting in the spring weather but also the impressive suspension bridge built by the Thompson Rotary Club.
Today we each explored our vocational interests with me spending the morning with the local newspaper editor Donna and visiting the residential care unit. As a fundraiser it was interesting to chat to someone on the "other side" of community fundraising ie. a local media service, as our media supporters on the Sunshine Coast help us so greatly in the work that we do. Donna is also on a committee setting up the local hospital foundation so we chatted about fundraising events that we've both worked on.
Tonight we present to the club at a bbq and tomorrow we head one kilometre underground at the local nickel mine and visit the hyrdo plant at the dam. There may even be a spot of fishing tomorrow night while we search the skies for the beautiful northern lights. It doesn't get dark here until around 11pm so there's lots of time for night time activity, which is unusual for us ... but great as the days still aren't long enough.
So the adventure continues with one more week to go. On Thursday we embark on a 9 hour drive to Saskatoon where we'll attend the District Conference and reunite with a lot of friends made along the way.
Lisa
We hit The Pas and explored the museum which presented many interesting facts about the wildlife and the history of the area.
Rick and Fran hosted me at their lakeside home and Rick introduced Bec and I to the adrenaline rush of catching lake trout on an ice covered lake! Rick introduced Matt and Bob to the joy of sitting in the boat and trying to catch trout on an ice covered lake!!
This was followed by quad bike riding (where I spotted a rarely sighted Timberwolf) and a short bushwalk to the caves and a lookout point over an expanse of ice that took our breath away.
We then farewelled yet another group of friends and headed to the northern-most point on our trip ... Thompson. On the way we visited the beautiful Pisew Falls and Paint Lake, where at Pisew Falls we not only saw a spectacular cliff of snow slowly melting in the spring weather but also the impressive suspension bridge built by the Thompson Rotary Club.
Today we each explored our vocational interests with me spending the morning with the local newspaper editor Donna and visiting the residential care unit. As a fundraiser it was interesting to chat to someone on the "other side" of community fundraising ie. a local media service, as our media supporters on the Sunshine Coast help us so greatly in the work that we do. Donna is also on a committee setting up the local hospital foundation so we chatted about fundraising events that we've both worked on.
Tonight we present to the club at a bbq and tomorrow we head one kilometre underground at the local nickel mine and visit the hyrdo plant at the dam. There may even be a spot of fishing tomorrow night while we search the skies for the beautiful northern lights. It doesn't get dark here until around 11pm so there's lots of time for night time activity, which is unusual for us ... but great as the days still aren't long enough.
So the adventure continues with one more week to go. On Thursday we embark on a 9 hour drive to Saskatoon where we'll attend the District Conference and reunite with a lot of friends made along the way.
Lisa
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Dauphin - The Sunshine City!
Hello from Dauphin!
We have now arrived in Dauphin after our day and a bit rest. Our rest days were great with a lot of sleeping, reading and "team building" occuring. The fact that the pub and bistro across the road from where we were staying was the only thing open due to Victoria day was very convenient to say the least! The waitress knew all of our names by the end of our stay!
So, we arrived in Dauphin to yet another warm welcome. Our trip to Dauphin was interesting to say the least with a new Rotarian to Dauphin, Kirk, sharing his thoughts and conspiracy theories with us! Although very entertaining and interesting, it has gotten Lisa concerned and thinking about the possibilities! Needless to say, that trip passed by quickly! The afternoon was then spent in the backyard of Kirk and Michelle's sampling some of Kirk's fine home brew! Us Aussies sure did feel right at home!
Our first night in Dauphin was spent at another beautiful house on the Lake. Club President Heather and her husband Mac welcomed us into their home and, in true Canadian style, feed us a wonderful supper (aka dinner / tea! We are getting into the Canadian terms!). A fantastic evening of fine food and fellowship. We were fortunate to catch up with Carrisa and Diane from the inbound team. It was lots of fun chatting and swapping stories. It was also the evening the big city escape to Winnipeg was planned! Thanks to excellent planning and manoeuvring, we have managed a day trip to the "big smoke" on Friday. We are all very excited about this, more so the ladies as we will now get the important culture experience of...shopping!
Today was spent on a tour around the city and a visit to the site of the very popular Country Music Festival. Similar to the Gympie Music Muster at home. This event raises an amazing amount of money that goes back into the community and is all organised by volunteers! WOW! Our afternoon was spent on vocational visits. I went to a small school about 20 minutes from Dauphin, called Ochre River, where my host families daughter teachers a year 7/8 class. I had a great time answering many questions about Australia, including a question about whether we had Lions roaming through our backyards - I politely pointed out that that was probably Africa he was thinking of and that we have more friendly creatures such as Kangaroos and Koalas! I believe I have convinced some students to travel "Down Under" when they leave school. The most exciting part of the visit was gaining a fantastic resource that I will take home and use with my year 9 English classes. Deanne developed an awesome unit based around a novel unit which is mostly independent / self paced work for the students, so naturally I was only too eager to ask for a copy of the unit. The most amazing thing was that all her students submitted the assignment and were very proud of their work. Lets hope my own students will be that enthusiastic and involved in the unit! Our education systems are very similar, as are the students we teach...!
Tonight we were treated to a tour of the old Ukrainian Church of the Resurrection. A beautiful old church that dates back to the 1930's. Afterwards we headed across the road to our Rotary meeting, traditional Ukrainian supper and presentation. Before the presentation we were fortunate to have some traditional Ukrainian dancing. This, I believe, leads us to the most priceless moment of the trip - Matt participating in the traditional dance! He truly looked marvelous dancing; reminded me of a Fairy actually! He pranced and danced like a true professional! Lisa also performed for us, but was a natural at it! To all of Matt's family and friends back home - you need to ask for a special show of this talent, and if he refuses, I have the evidence on video!!
Well, that about sums up our fantastic journey so far. Stay tuned for a blog about our exciting, off the cuff, trip to the the big smoke of Winnipeg where I am sure we will encounter more adventures! We will endeavour to put some photos of Matt's dancing on the blog soon!
A big hello to everyone back home!
Take care, Bec
We have now arrived in Dauphin after our day and a bit rest. Our rest days were great with a lot of sleeping, reading and "team building" occuring. The fact that the pub and bistro across the road from where we were staying was the only thing open due to Victoria day was very convenient to say the least! The waitress knew all of our names by the end of our stay!
So, we arrived in Dauphin to yet another warm welcome. Our trip to Dauphin was interesting to say the least with a new Rotarian to Dauphin, Kirk, sharing his thoughts and conspiracy theories with us! Although very entertaining and interesting, it has gotten Lisa concerned and thinking about the possibilities! Needless to say, that trip passed by quickly! The afternoon was then spent in the backyard of Kirk and Michelle's sampling some of Kirk's fine home brew! Us Aussies sure did feel right at home!
Our first night in Dauphin was spent at another beautiful house on the Lake. Club President Heather and her husband Mac welcomed us into their home and, in true Canadian style, feed us a wonderful supper (aka dinner / tea! We are getting into the Canadian terms!). A fantastic evening of fine food and fellowship. We were fortunate to catch up with Carrisa and Diane from the inbound team. It was lots of fun chatting and swapping stories. It was also the evening the big city escape to Winnipeg was planned! Thanks to excellent planning and manoeuvring, we have managed a day trip to the "big smoke" on Friday. We are all very excited about this, more so the ladies as we will now get the important culture experience of...shopping!
Today was spent on a tour around the city and a visit to the site of the very popular Country Music Festival. Similar to the Gympie Music Muster at home. This event raises an amazing amount of money that goes back into the community and is all organised by volunteers! WOW! Our afternoon was spent on vocational visits. I went to a small school about 20 minutes from Dauphin, called Ochre River, where my host families daughter teachers a year 7/8 class. I had a great time answering many questions about Australia, including a question about whether we had Lions roaming through our backyards - I politely pointed out that that was probably Africa he was thinking of and that we have more friendly creatures such as Kangaroos and Koalas! I believe I have convinced some students to travel "Down Under" when they leave school. The most exciting part of the visit was gaining a fantastic resource that I will take home and use with my year 9 English classes. Deanne developed an awesome unit based around a novel unit which is mostly independent / self paced work for the students, so naturally I was only too eager to ask for a copy of the unit. The most amazing thing was that all her students submitted the assignment and were very proud of their work. Lets hope my own students will be that enthusiastic and involved in the unit! Our education systems are very similar, as are the students we teach...!
Tonight we were treated to a tour of the old Ukrainian Church of the Resurrection. A beautiful old church that dates back to the 1930's. Afterwards we headed across the road to our Rotary meeting, traditional Ukrainian supper and presentation. Before the presentation we were fortunate to have some traditional Ukrainian dancing. This, I believe, leads us to the most priceless moment of the trip - Matt participating in the traditional dance! He truly looked marvelous dancing; reminded me of a Fairy actually! He pranced and danced like a true professional! Lisa also performed for us, but was a natural at it! To all of Matt's family and friends back home - you need to ask for a special show of this talent, and if he refuses, I have the evidence on video!!
Well, that about sums up our fantastic journey so far. Stay tuned for a blog about our exciting, off the cuff, trip to the the big smoke of Winnipeg where I am sure we will encounter more adventures! We will endeavour to put some photos of Matt's dancing on the blog soon!
A big hello to everyone back home!
Take care, Bec
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
SNOW, WORSHIP AND REST
Our arrival at Nipawin was probably the highlight of my trip as I get to feel and touch snow for the first time in my life.
We had a fantastic reception and presentation on Friday evening. Our hosts were fantastic. Jacqui and Tom were the perfect hosts and they made my first snow encounter possible even thought it meant lots of questions to find out where we can still find some left over snow.
I had the opportunity also to have sabbath worship at Nipawin SDA Church and met lots of wonderful people however it was sad that there was no youths in church ( probably gone for the long weekend). The sunset though was at 9:35 pm on Friday so it was the longest Friday ever and the longest sabbath.
Sunday and Monday was fantastic as we had the opportunity to rest from all the travelling and basically let our hair down in the Evergreen Hotel . The team did some evaluation and picked up some recommendations on what the next team strategy will be. It was fantastic.
My vocational experience too was excellent so I learnt some helpful tips to help me in my vocation back home in the Solomon Islands.
Thanks alot to the Rotary Club of Honiara for sponsoring me to be on this GSE trip, to all the host families from Regina up to Nipawin. A big thanks and uma to my family, Fred for being a patient and loving husband, Sophia, Paul, Tatiana, Morgan and Reagan for standing by me all the way and for being patient and accepting that I will be away from home for 6 weeks. I love you all and I hope to see you all soon in 3 weeks time.
likem u pela tumas !
Hilda Tango
GSE Team member- Solomon Islands and PNG
We had a fantastic reception and presentation on Friday evening. Our hosts were fantastic. Jacqui and Tom were the perfect hosts and they made my first snow encounter possible even thought it meant lots of questions to find out where we can still find some left over snow.
I had the opportunity also to have sabbath worship at Nipawin SDA Church and met lots of wonderful people however it was sad that there was no youths in church ( probably gone for the long weekend). The sunset though was at 9:35 pm on Friday so it was the longest Friday ever and the longest sabbath.
Sunday and Monday was fantastic as we had the opportunity to rest from all the travelling and basically let our hair down in the Evergreen Hotel . The team did some evaluation and picked up some recommendations on what the next team strategy will be. It was fantastic.
My vocational experience too was excellent so I learnt some helpful tips to help me in my vocation back home in the Solomon Islands.
Thanks alot to the Rotary Club of Honiara for sponsoring me to be on this GSE trip, to all the host families from Regina up to Nipawin. A big thanks and uma to my family, Fred for being a patient and loving husband, Sophia, Paul, Tatiana, Morgan and Reagan for standing by me all the way and for being patient and accepting that I will be away from home for 6 weeks. I love you all and I hope to see you all soon in 3 weeks time.
likem u pela tumas !
Hilda Tango
GSE Team member- Solomon Islands and PNG
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Food and Fellowship
I just can't get over how well we are being treated here in Canada. At all of our presentations and cultural visits everyone is so interested in what our visit is all about. Our evening last night was fun with a wiener roast followed by some singing and the music was by the Nipawin Rotary club members band. The Ausies sang the national anthem followed by Hilda and the Solomon Islands anthem,followed by Iuri (Brazil. Exchange). The Exchange students we have met so far are so interesting and such good fun also. Today and tomorrow are free days, so will do some walking . Hope all our readers are well. Hi to my kids,grandkids and partner Denise. Love you all. Bob Ward
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Nipawin
Hello everyone!
I thought I had better have a turn at writing in the blog (at least it will get Matt of my back about trying new technologies!)
As Lisa mentioned we arrived in Nipawin yesterday to yet another very warm welcome. It still suprises me how many people we meet that are so happy to see us and share their homes with us. I am staying with a fantastic couple, Gloria and Walter, in their Condo - like an apartment building back home, but for the over 55's. It's great!
Hilda and I managed to see some "old" snow yesterday! Hilda was a little keener that I with her host family and her digging in it and making snow balls! Snow is definatley a novelty to us who don't see it often, if ever!
Our presentation went well last night to a very welcoming Nipawin club. I am finding the presentations are getting a lot easier (one would hope so considering we have done it about 5 or so times now!). After the meeting my hosts took me on a tour around Nipawin and then we finished the night with a Mudslide at the local Dairy Queen! For those at home, Dairy Queen's are like an ice cream / sundae / thickshake / yummy, fattening food place! I am convinced we should be looking into getting Dairy Queen's back home - they are fantastic! Not sure though if they are responsible for our jeans feeling tighter or if it's the clothes dryers!
After a late sleep in this morning, Gloria made me what I am starting to think is a traditional Canadian breakfast - bacon, eggs, pancakes with whipped cream and coffee. WOW! I managed however! Although, was very happy when Gloria suggested a walk down the street!
Tonight we are off to the park to have a Weiner roast! We have been informed that these are hotdogs! Before this my hosts are taking me out to the lakes for a tour. We didn't make it to the grain farm as the farmer was having trouble with his seeding equipment.
Looking forward to having a couple of days off, despite how wonderful our host families have been. We are thinking about heading to the golf course, but I think it may be straight to the 19th hole! Of course, by the end of our rest days I will be looking forward to our next adventure! I am still on the hunt / look out for a Moose! Am starting to realise however, that the one I saw in the museum in Regina may be the closest I get! Oh well, am sure a new flavour at Dairy Queen will make up for it!
Hope everyone at home is well and the weather is not getting too cold. The weather here is finally starting to warm up - only went out with jeans and 2 layers on today!
Hello to all my family and friends - miss you all, especially you Rowan!!!
Love Bec
I thought I had better have a turn at writing in the blog (at least it will get Matt of my back about trying new technologies!)
As Lisa mentioned we arrived in Nipawin yesterday to yet another very warm welcome. It still suprises me how many people we meet that are so happy to see us and share their homes with us. I am staying with a fantastic couple, Gloria and Walter, in their Condo - like an apartment building back home, but for the over 55's. It's great!
Hilda and I managed to see some "old" snow yesterday! Hilda was a little keener that I with her host family and her digging in it and making snow balls! Snow is definatley a novelty to us who don't see it often, if ever!
Our presentation went well last night to a very welcoming Nipawin club. I am finding the presentations are getting a lot easier (one would hope so considering we have done it about 5 or so times now!). After the meeting my hosts took me on a tour around Nipawin and then we finished the night with a Mudslide at the local Dairy Queen! For those at home, Dairy Queen's are like an ice cream / sundae / thickshake / yummy, fattening food place! I am convinced we should be looking into getting Dairy Queen's back home - they are fantastic! Not sure though if they are responsible for our jeans feeling tighter or if it's the clothes dryers!
After a late sleep in this morning, Gloria made me what I am starting to think is a traditional Canadian breakfast - bacon, eggs, pancakes with whipped cream and coffee. WOW! I managed however! Although, was very happy when Gloria suggested a walk down the street!
Tonight we are off to the park to have a Weiner roast! We have been informed that these are hotdogs! Before this my hosts are taking me out to the lakes for a tour. We didn't make it to the grain farm as the farmer was having trouble with his seeding equipment.
Looking forward to having a couple of days off, despite how wonderful our host families have been. We are thinking about heading to the golf course, but I think it may be straight to the 19th hole! Of course, by the end of our rest days I will be looking forward to our next adventure! I am still on the hunt / look out for a Moose! Am starting to realise however, that the one I saw in the museum in Regina may be the closest I get! Oh well, am sure a new flavour at Dairy Queen will make up for it!
Hope everyone at home is well and the weather is not getting too cold. The weather here is finally starting to warm up - only went out with jeans and 2 layers on today!
Hello to all my family and friends - miss you all, especially you Rowan!!!
Love Bec
Friday, May 16, 2008
Friday - On to Nipawin
Well after featuring as "Bran Flakes" on Dan Brann's radio breakfast show and a tour of the local hospital we left Hudson Bay and headed 2 hours north-west to Nipawin.
After presenting at the warm and welcoming Rotary Club of Nipawin this evening we look forward to a grain farm tour tomorrow afternoon and a wiener roast tomorrow evening.
Sunday and Monday are our "break" days during which we'll relax and unwind before departing for Dauphin on Tuesday.
We may be well into our travels but there's certainly no end of things to discover about this beautiful country ... for instance last night I learned about tin foil dinners, the amazing ice roads of northern Canada, Bec learned about alfalfa sprout farming through bee pollination, Hilda learned about beavers and their dam-building techniques and is very close to seeing her first snow and Matt learned ... um ... well we'll keep you posted on that one. Bob today discovered his daily quest to collect a million polished rocks could be easily achieved with $1.36 at the local bargain basement!
No really, we're all learning a lot and enjoying the adventure enormously.
Take care back home.
Lisa
After presenting at the warm and welcoming Rotary Club of Nipawin this evening we look forward to a grain farm tour tomorrow afternoon and a wiener roast tomorrow evening.
Sunday and Monday are our "break" days during which we'll relax and unwind before departing for Dauphin on Tuesday.
We may be well into our travels but there's certainly no end of things to discover about this beautiful country ... for instance last night I learned about tin foil dinners, the amazing ice roads of northern Canada, Bec learned about alfalfa sprout farming through bee pollination, Hilda learned about beavers and their dam-building techniques and is very close to seeing her first snow and Matt learned ... um ... well we'll keep you posted on that one. Bob today discovered his daily quest to collect a million polished rocks could be easily achieved with $1.36 at the local bargain basement!
No really, we're all learning a lot and enjoying the adventure enormously.
Take care back home.
Lisa
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Some more photos....
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Lisa Presenting in the Funeral Home in Assiniboia
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The Court House in Estavan.JPG)
Boundary Dam Coal Mine in Estavan
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A beaver's dam on the way to Hudson Bay
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Lisa and Bec at Ruby Lake
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The sunset last night at Ruby Lake
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A beaver's dam on the way to Hudson Bay
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Lisa and Bec at Ruby Lake
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The sunset last night at Ruby Lake
Thursday
We had a busy Tuesday in Estevan, visiting a coal fired power station in the morning were they are about to employ carbon dioxide capture on one of the burners, followed by a trip to the boundary dam coal mine.
Before the mandatory next phase of eating we to the local court house for a quick tour before a sentence of more eating was delivered by the local Queen’s Court judge. After a healthy meal of trans fats free fries and cholesterol reduce gravy we made our to our vocational visits.
Hilda and I went to the local credit union (Spectra) and Lisa went to the local hospital foundation. Bob went to a funeral home and Bec visited a school. I had a great time with the head of IT at Spectra and then the HR people. I got to use my jargon to people that understood me! I was very impressed with both functions of Spectra and really had a great time.
On Wednesday we made our way to Hudson Bay, which is formally known as Hudson Bay Junction as it’s a where the rail lines meet and on the way to the port at Churchill which is only open 3 months of the year. We learnt about the how beavers build dams and saw some on their handy work!
After settling in here we made our way to Don and Alana’s cabin by Ruby Lake for supper. We ate like kings and sat around the beautiful lake and watch the sun set. Fortunately Don is a doctor and he said it was fine to have 2 servings of dessert, so it would have been very silly to disregard the Doctor’s advice!
We are having a wonderful time here and hope all is well at home!!!
Before the mandatory next phase of eating we to the local court house for a quick tour before a sentence of more eating was delivered by the local Queen’s Court judge. After a healthy meal of trans fats free fries and cholesterol reduce gravy we made our to our vocational visits.
Hilda and I went to the local credit union (Spectra) and Lisa went to the local hospital foundation. Bob went to a funeral home and Bec visited a school. I had a great time with the head of IT at Spectra and then the HR people. I got to use my jargon to people that understood me! I was very impressed with both functions of Spectra and really had a great time.
On Wednesday we made our way to Hudson Bay, which is formally known as Hudson Bay Junction as it’s a where the rail lines meet and on the way to the port at Churchill which is only open 3 months of the year. We learnt about the how beavers build dams and saw some on their handy work!
After settling in here we made our way to Don and Alana’s cabin by Ruby Lake for supper. We ate like kings and sat around the beautiful lake and watch the sun set. Fortunately Don is a doctor and he said it was fine to have 2 servings of dessert, so it would have been very silly to disregard the Doctor’s advice!
We are having a wonderful time here and hope all is well at home!!!
Matt
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mothers Day on the other side of the world
Well it's true what they say about the Canadians .. they love a good time, they love Australians and they love a beer! We've met some wonderful people in the past week who have opened their homes to us so generously. Even today on Mother's Day Hilda and I were given gifts by thoughtful friends who realise we'd be thinking of our kids a little more than usual today. We're well fed and extremely well cared for ... there's something wrong with the water though because my jeans seem to be shrinking!
After a very cold but extremely interesting tour of the ancient Petroglyphs last night our Assiniboia families hosted a lovely farewell party for us which left Bec and I more than a little tired today. Our presentation in the funeral home was certainly a little different but something we can chalk up as yet another part of the fun-filled adventure that is GSE.
Today we moved on from Assiniboia to Estevan, checking out the caves of Sam Kelly at a ranch along the way.
We're in Estevan until Wednesday and I'm scheduled for a vocational visit on Tuesday to the local hospital foundation. My morning with the Hospitals of Regina Foundation last week was enlightening. I even had Edie send back a great idea to the Sunshine Coast Health Foundation that will help lighten the load a little for this year's Mix FM's Give Me 5 for Kids. It's amazing how similarly we operate and I've picked up quite a few ideas to bring home with me.
Time is flying by and we're having a great time. Missing you all though too but be assured that slide night on our return will certainly be interesting.
Love you Jess X
Lisa
After a very cold but extremely interesting tour of the ancient Petroglyphs last night our Assiniboia families hosted a lovely farewell party for us which left Bec and I more than a little tired today. Our presentation in the funeral home was certainly a little different but something we can chalk up as yet another part of the fun-filled adventure that is GSE.
Today we moved on from Assiniboia to Estevan, checking out the caves of Sam Kelly at a ranch along the way.
We're in Estevan until Wednesday and I'm scheduled for a vocational visit on Tuesday to the local hospital foundation. My morning with the Hospitals of Regina Foundation last week was enlightening. I even had Edie send back a great idea to the Sunshine Coast Health Foundation that will help lighten the load a little for this year's Mix FM's Give Me 5 for Kids. It's amazing how similarly we operate and I've picked up quite a few ideas to bring home with me.
Time is flying by and we're having a great time. Missing you all though too but be assured that slide night on our return will certainly be interesting.
Love you Jess X
Lisa
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Photos
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At the University of Regina, International Test Centre for CO2 Capture
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Saskatchewan Western Development Museum History of Transportation in Moose Jaw.JPG)
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Tunnels in Moose Jaw (learning about Chinese immigrates)
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The girls in uniform at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musuem
Saturday
We left Regina yesterday morning and headed to Moose Jaw were we visited the Transport Museum which was great. We then headed to the underground tunnels and heard about the stories of Chinese immigrants that build the railway, and the bootlegging of rye whisky that is apparently linked to Al Capone.
Headed into Assiniboia and I had a fantastic home cooked meal at Carol and Tom’s. After that we had to check out the local night life so we headed to Franklin for a quick drink!
Quiet morning here, then off to the Art Gallery today. We are running our presentation in a funeral home today. At least the customers won’t heckle us!!!
Matt
Headed into Assiniboia and I had a fantastic home cooked meal at Carol and Tom’s. After that we had to check out the local night life so we headed to Franklin for a quick drink!
Quiet morning here, then off to the Art Gallery today. We are running our presentation in a funeral home today. At least the customers won’t heckle us!!!
Matt
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Thursday
It's our last full day in Regina. It's been wonderful since we arrive at Monday night. We had a welcoming committee of around 20 people which we didn’t expect to see so many people at 10:30 at night! We have all had a wonderful time thus far. We meet the district governor on Tuesday over lunch with our GSE orientation and it’s all been nonstop since. We had our first vocational visit yesterday and I went to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police College (RCMP) training college. It was great to learn that we using a very similar model for training their new recruits and existing staff as they do. They do have a better way of disciplining their people (push-ups and sit ups!!). We are off to the RCMP museum today followed by Dairy Queen for lunch, were we will have blizzards, what ever they are! The girls have found a professional shoe shopper (and ex GSE member) from the Rotary club of Regina Oskaya, so we are heading to a ‘shopping mall’ this afternoon. Having a wonderful time here and will need to start posting some photos very soon! Matt
Into our second day now after a fairly smooth trip over the pacific then USA to arrive in Regina the capital Saskatchewan Canada. Today (Wed 7th) we are off to voctional stuff in the morning. Presentation at lunch and in the evening at Rotary Clubs. Fine people, good fun, overeating and good fun.
Love you all Bob Ward.
Love you all Bob Ward.
Monday, April 28, 2008
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