Ian's Car Update

We have just clocked up 25000 km on the Mitsubishi (in 27 weeks!). It has been trouble free and the all wheel drive and ABS has proved to be very good in the recent weather conditions.

We went skiing last weekend (in the middle of a record-setting November cold snap) and parked the car outside the motel at 3.00 pm and went to start it at 10.00 am the next morning after a minimum of -27 and it wasn't real keen. It sort of started, then died and finally we got it going about 10 minutes later. When it started, there was a horrible squeal under the bonnet - I was hoping the power steering belt was slipping because the fluid was bit 'stiff''. Another car then started next door, and sounded exactly the same, so I now know that howling belts are 'normal' on a cold morning. Even funnier was when I turned the first corner in the carpark and the CV joints were rattling like a Morris Minor. Turns out the grease freezes(!) and takes a while to get viscous again.

The next night was forecast to get to -30, so I ran it last thing before bed, and then went to start it first thing in the morning, and it started no worries, even though it was -35. So it appears the motor takes at least 8 hours to cool off properly, which was a bit of a surprise.

Overall, very pleased, and it will be a bit sad to get rid of it next year. Getting back in the Lolux will be a bit (lot) of a shock to the system.

Skiing in the Rockies 11-13 Nov

It's less than 6 months since our last ski in the Rockies which was right at the tail end of the previous season. Another long weekend for Remembrance Day gives us 3 whole days at it! We drove down to Banff after work Friday - it's not as easy drving this time of year as there's a lot of snow on the side of the road and you have to be careful of black ice. We went through a patch of pretty thick fog - the trip usually takes us 4 hours but tonight it took 5 hours. It started snowing on us on the mountain just after lunch on Saturday and didn't stop - even for 5 minutes! - right up until we left on Monday afternoon. We were surprised though that it didn't make for too bad conditions. Unlike when we ski in NZ the snow is very dry and just falls off - and although it hovered around minus 10 we weren't to cold (though Jen's 5 layers and full face mask probably helped!). There were all these signs up saying 'marginal conditions - take care'! ,,, be buggered,,,, it's the best snow we've ever skied in! Every morning we were first up on the lift to get the first ski on the mountain and were thrilled to have about 40cm of fresh, dry fluffy AMAZING snow.. we couldn't stop smiling,,, it was soooooo wonderful!!

And it was just as amazing driving home! Edmonton has had a huge snow dump while we were away... all the roads were covered in snow - you couldn't see the lines and traffic slowed to a crawl (rightfully so - it's incredible how easy the wheels slip!). We got home to find our little outside thermometer frozen to our balcony! These other piccis are of the grounds at the Legislature Building and the footpath Jen walks along on her way to work each day - Fabulous!!! We're not sick of the snow yet!!!

Halloween

Well we're not used to celebrating Halloween - and were a little unsure what to expect... are we supposed to have goodies for trick or treat,, what do you do,,, what are the rules,,, what time does all this happen,,, who does what???,,,all too confusing, ???!

But it's a big event around town. Giant pumpkins (still not really sure if they're edible) are for sale at all the supermarkets, and big displays at the markets. Then there's the carving competitions, and finally the big shin dig dress up party at work. Spiders, bats, witches, cobwebs,,, all the scary stuff!! and there's enough lollies left over to last the rest of the year!

It's a lot of fun,,, if not a bit bloody cold!!!