Some thoughts on seasons

When we moved to Canada we were looking forward to proper weather appropriate to the seasons, and for the most part we have been pleased with what Cape Breton and the weather have presented us. However, up until 2 weeks ago we were still awaiting a proper Canadian winter. We'd done all the correct things, got the oil tank filled for the heating, put draught proofing around the older downstairs windows (which thankfully still have their storm windows on as well, which cuts down on the wind howling in) and bought new tyres for the truck. Now common sense advice is to get snow tyres on new rims and then swop them back with the normal tyres once winter has gone. We decided to get all season/all terrain in the hopes that the winter would be as mild as the last one.

All was going swimmingly until we got our first winter storm and realised that there IS a good reason for people to be recommending studded snow tyres. Luckily we have 4 wheel drive and not far to go, but there were a few hairy moments. Means that we don't tend to travel far in the truck, but that is a good thing as we can make a full tank of gas last the best part of a month.

Anyway, if the seasons were doing what they were supposed to, and had been doing so for the last few years, maybe we would have got the 'correct' tyres.

Nice to go out some days to take Oliver for his run, as long as you dress up warm and keep the gloves on (Still seeing some younger students wandering around without coats on, but they're probably high on something or other) However not quite so nice when Oliver insists on going out and the temperature outside is -30 with the wind chill. To cut a long story short, he had his run but it was severly curtailled, and we had to thaw out his paws in a bowl of warm water when we got home.

Took some photos of the waterfront just down from our house, which I will put up in the next day or so. Very icy, though apparently no-where is it thick enough for ice-fishing (there's another 'interesting male bonding sort of hobby"

That'll do for now.

Jerry