Goodman-Baines Out For Lunch!

With Nigel's work permit application sent off, we now have to await Service Canadas response (which should be within 3 weeks). In order to make the most of the amazing weather that we've had over the last week, we felt there was no better way than to head into the mountains.

We had found an amazing spot in Kananaskis Country last year so after a quick stop at Walmart for a few supplies we made the 40 minute drive from our house to an area called Forget-me-not Pond. It is more of a little lake in a small wooded area, surrounded by mountains, with the Elbow River running alongside.   

Nigel's finger is where Forget-me-not Pond is in Kananaskis Country.

After a short walk from the car, we found ourselves in a beautiful little wooded area surrounding the large pond.  We walked around to the other side of the lake and found a wonderful little spot to set down our blanket. 

After a few hours on reading, sunbathing and dipping our toes in the freezing glacier water filled pond we decided it was time for some food.  We moved back to the other side of the lake where there were fire pits and BBQ grills that we could use.  

Our Dinner, a couple of burgers, a salmon steak, and some vegetable and potatoes....Yum, Yum!

Now how is this for a view while we ate our dinner!

Well after a wonderful meal we let Domino have one last cool down in the river and then packed up and loaded up the car ready for the 40 minute drive back home.  As you can see in the picture below, Domino had a great time, but was one tired dog at the end of the day, and once in the car slept all the way home!                  

Drying off after her last cooling dip of the day! 

We have had severe storm warnings for this evening, although at gone 10pm we've yet to see any  sign of rain, let alone a storm.  But i shall leave you all with a little visual reminder of why Nige should always use sunscreen when wearing sandals!!!

        

                                       

It doesn't rain but it pours!

The title for this latest blog posting has a bit of a double meaning.  Despite both of us getting rather sunburnt last weekend, in true Alberta style, the weather changed dramatically and since then we have had torrential rain and a number of thunderstorms.  Whilst we were glad of a some rain, to water in our patched lawn seed we put down the other week, we felt like we were back in the UK.  One of our candle holders on the deck had nearly 5 inches of rain water in it!  Yet again the weather has changed and today it has been rather muggy and warm, with it set to stay nice over the weekend.

The other meaning for the post title is more bad news on the work permit/visa front.  After waiting some time to hear back from the Private nursing job I applied for, they requested my references last week and I anxiously waited a phone call.  I thought that they might have started the process to get me a work permit, so that if for some reason they couldn't, they were then able to offer the position to another candidate that didn't require one.  I recieved an e-mail this afternoon to say that they had offered the position to someone else. Both Nige and I thought it was strange that they had taken so long to get back to me and were wondering if they had spoked to Service Canada about likelihood of them getting me a permit, and had decided that it was too much hassle.  This seemed even more likely after the phone call I had later about 2 hours later.  My manager in the OR where I used to work, contacted me the other week and advised me to apply for some upcoming maternity leave positions.  She was then going to approach the HR department and request a work permit for me.  I applied for the 5 jobs that were listed and was feeling pretty confident that with my manager on my side, Alberta Health work be willing to apply for one for me.  However, after speaking to my manager and the lady at HR that deals with work permit applications, this was not to be the case.  It transpires that Service Canada (the department which, amongst other things, decides which occupations Canada wants to bring from other countries) have made the decision that no more temporary work permits are required for nurses in Canada.  As a result they are refusing all Registered Nurse work permit applications.

This gives us one of two options.......keep every possible body part crossed that the immigration lawyer working for Nigel's boss is successful and that Nige will a work permit (thus allowing me to get an open work permit) or pack up and head back to the UK and wait for our Permanent Residency to come through.  So we've gone from some hope to one hope....Nige, the pressure is on for your boss!!!

An Afternoon at Spruce Meadows

Spruce Meadows is an equestrian facility in Calgary, built by the Southern Family and opened in 1976. The show jumping complex comprises of over 360 acres and is about 5 minutes drive from where we live.  Dispite this though we hadn't yet had the chance to visit and were really excited.

This weekend Spruce Meadows played host to to the National, the first event of the summer series.  The event showcases some of the best show jumping athletes and horses from throughout the Americas. The 'National' features the Spruce Meadows Canadian Show Jumping Championship with almost $1,000,000 in prize money. 

We we lucky enough to be invited by our Neighbours to spend the afternoon, taking in the sights, watching the entertainment and browsing the exhibits.  They had been given free tickets, and knowing that Nige and I are feeling somewhat caged at the moment, (what with not working and trying to spend as little money as possible), they wanted to make the most of the amazing weather and give us an excuse to leave the house.

Although we had driven past many times, but it really doesn't give you a true picture of just how vast the show grounds are.  There are a number of arenas and in one of them we were treated to the RCMP Musical Ride display.  

 Before the main show jumping event began, spectators were given the opportunity to walk around the course and see all the jump, an opportunity not to be missed!   

We weren't able to stay the entire afternoon as we had to be home for an important 'Skype' appointment, but after a few hours in the sun we were both rather pink (even though we had sun cream on) so we were glad to get out on the deck and under the shade of our parasol.  As if our day couldn't get any better, for dinner I cooked a beef roast dinner, complete with yorkshire puddings.  Now just to ensure that we incorporated a bit of Canadian culture to our roast, we have perfected the technique of cooking roast potatoes outside on the BBQ!