Bad News!

Earlier this week we had a phone call we had really hoped not to get, when Nige's boss rang to inform him that Service Canada had refused their LMO (labour market opinion) applicaton that would have allowed Nige to apply for a work permit.  The main reason was, Service Canada felt that the job title didn't fit the salary, so they didn't know how to categorize the position.  Although the person dealing with the application was extremely helpful gaving the lawyer some tips and advice on how to change it before they re-applied, this now means that we have to start the process again.  So they have to re-advertize the position for two weeks then review any applications they get, then submit another application for an LMO.  Everyone seems really positive about what the outcome will be, but with Nige and I having what could potentially be a 6 week wait, we're both rather concerned with the money situation.  After a lot of talking we have decided to see what happens in 6 weeks as we could run the risk of returning home to find we get the LMO a couple of weeks later.  Also after winning $2 and a free go on the Canadian lotteries, we're hoping we'll hit some good luck and have brought another ticket and shall keep our fingers crossed for either a nice lump sum of money or a positive LMO from Service Canada!!!

This weekend we have some people arriving from the UK and we are looking forward to having them.  They are a couple who we met last year, who have decided to move themselves and all their belongings from the UK to live in Canada.  We have been in contact a lot over the last few months and we are so envious of the excitement and nerves they are currently going through.  As we were kindly offered a place to stay by our friends Haydn and Deedee when we first arrived, we know how much easier that made our transition.  With this in mind, have offered our Guest suite in the basement to the couple until they find a rental property.  Not only are we helping them out, but we're both hoping that they will be a real reminder as to why both Nigel and I made the decision to move here originally, giving us a renewed drive to push through these next couple of months.   Also as we're not working, if they need our help for anything then it will be a welcome distraction from thinking of ways to annoy each other for entertainment!!!

So thats the latest, and I'm sure like us you're sick of all these doom and gloom up-dates, and I truly hope that it won't be long until we can write some good news!

Work Permit Up-date.

After not having heard anything from Service Canada, the immigration Lawyer contacted them to assess the situation.  He was told that due to a huge number of LMO applications they currently have, the processing time is now 6 weeks, not the usual 3.  So we now have another 3 weeks to wait until we find out our fate. We have also yet to hear from the CIC that they have received our PR application and that we have moved onto the next stage, but they have just completely changed the process so are being realistic and expecting delays there.  So sorry guys you'll have to keep those body parts crossed a while longer I'm afraid!!  We'll keep you posted though!

Stampede Night Out!

Some of my friends from work were organizing a big night out at one of the temporary Stampede bars in downtown Calgary on the friday night.  So Nige and I headed to one of the girls condo's to meet up with everyone then headed down to the bar.  It is basically a large white marquee that is set up on a car-park (you can actually see it behind me in one of the Stampede Parade pictures).  It is full of bars, a stage, dance floor and BBQ area, with some of the cleanest portaloos I have ever seen in my entire life!  Once you get over the initial shock of the 'eu de heave and stale beer' (which doesn't take long!) the atmosphere is amazing.  It was so nice seeing some of my work colleagues and catching up on all the gossip and great for Nige to get a chance to meet up with their other-half's.  We had a great night and after much, drinking, dancing and merriment we headed to the station to catch the train home (the trains run 24-hours during Stampede.  After a 30minute walk from the station home we eventually got into bed at 5:30am, just as the sun was coming up (bringing back happy memories of making the 30 second walk across the road from our neighbours house, as the sun was rising, after an impromptu gathering!)  


We were both a little delicate this morning, but both agree that this was an unforgettable Stampede, heres looking to next year!!

Stampede - Day 2

So having had a day to relax from our first full Stampede day, we headed out early yesterday morning for another day at the Stampede grounds.  We had made a note on Monday of a few things that we wanted to do today and first on our list was a henna tattoo for Me! 

Next we made our way to a photo studio booth in order for us to get a photo.  As we tend to do most things with just the three of us, we rarely have a picture taken with both of us in it, (Domino doesn't have thumbs so struggles holding the camera!!), so we headed into Stampede market and got this photo taken............

By means of modern technology, those family members wishing to purchase a copy can click on this link www.antiquephotoparlour.com with the password  121629 PM-07-14-2010 for the next 2 weeks.   

After a spot of lunch we made our way to the Grandstand.  Last year we hadn't managed to see the afternoons Rodeo event, so we booked our seat this year and had been lucky enough to get good seats in order to see all the action.   The Rodeo event consists of many different events including, Tie-Down roping, Saddle Bucking Bronco, Bareback Bronco, Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, Wild Pond Race and Steer Wrestling.  

Obviously we're still using the iPhone and the pictures come out looking further away than we were, so thanks to the Calgary Stampede I have put on a few close up shots of the action.  

So after an action packed afternoon we headed back home to see to Domino and change ready for our evenings entertainment.  During stampede a large number of bands and performers do concerts in one of the Stampede stages.  This year the Saddledome had been given, for one night only, to Bon Jovi and guess who had tickets!!!!!!!!  We had managed to get tickets for the sold out concert through people we used to know and were really excited, so we caught the bus to the station and then got the train to the stampede grounds.   

The concert was amazing and we had an awesome time, we even made a call to my sister Tiffany at 4:30am UK time so she could sing 'Livin' on a prayer' along with us and Jon Bon Jovi.  We had met up with a friend of mine from work before the concert so we all headed to the Stampede bar, Nashville North for a few drinks after the concert and then we headed back home to rest ready for our last Stampede night on Friday.

Stampede - Day 1

Stampede fever had well and truly hit us this year and we were going to be spending a couple of days at the grounds taking in the Chuckwagon races, Rodeo, plus all the other events on show during the 10 days.  Our first day was going to be the Chuckwagon races and the evening show where we had tickets for the grandstand.  We arrived at the park about 11am to enjoy everything on offer prior to the evening's entertainment.  After taking a look around the BMO centre market place, we enjoyed the show put on by the 'Superdogs'.  This involved relay races by a variety of breeds through a course set out with jumps etc, dog dancing and a game of musical mats!  We haas watched this last year and really enjoyed it and this years performance did not disappoint.  We then headed into the Saddledome to watch the sheepdog trials.  The sheepdog and rancher's task was to direct the 3 sheep around a designated route, through a gate and then into a pen, within 4 minutes.  The control and connection between the rancher and sheepdog was great to watch and we had a great time here. 

We we lucky to be inside the Sadledome watching all these agrecultural events when, not wanting to break with Stampede tradition, a storm arrived, the heavens opened and those outside we treated to wind, rain and enormous hailstones!  We also got to watch the Cattle Penning championships where three riders have one minute to separate 3 specifically indentified cattle from a heard of 30 and direct them into a pen the other side of the arena.  It was really fast paced and amazing to watch the team work together whilst trying to get the correct cow out of the bunch.

Below is a picture from a new event in Canada called 'Cowboy Up'.  The course is laid out for cowboys and cowgirls to navigate with their horses, being scored out of 10 for each obstacle which they get 30s to complete.  The obstacles included 'brush', a tunnel (with a blind exit), a post box (the horse has to stay completely still while the rider stands on them to post a letter), a cart pull, bridge crossing, flag pick up/drop off, water crossing, jumps then a tunnel for only the rider to crawl through (the horse must stay where the rider leaves them).  Once these are complete, the cowboy/cowgirl has to remove the saddle and re-mount the horse, perform 2 spins in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction, ride through moguls/water then sprint a full circuit of the arena all bareback!  A fantastic display of rider/horse control, trust and speed!    

We then headed over to the BMO Centre to watch the Acrobatic Rock & Roll Ice Show.  This was awesome!  A live band as shown in the following photos, Acrobatic performers and an elite list of Ice Skaters including Olympic Gold Medallists Scott Muir and Tessa Virtue, as well as the world renowned Elvis Stojko. 

   

Scott Muir and Tessa Virtue above.

Scott Muir, Tessa Virtue and Elvis Stojko

After a quick snack we decided to take our seats in the grandstand ready for Chuckwagon races and the Evening show.  Sophie proposed a personal bet on the chuckwagon races, where the loser had to clean the house from top to bottom the following day.  After 8 races we were even at 4 a piece, with just the 9th and final race to go!  Sophie had first pick of the 4 Chuckwagons, but unfortunately for her, she didn't pick wisely!! I won 5/4 and knew Sophie had a hard days work ahead of her! lol  The pictures below show a bit of the chuckwagons and some shots of the amazing Grandstand show.  This year the show included some celebraties, including Eva Avila who sung at the Winter Olympics, comedian Tim Nutt, artists from Cirque du Soleil and Broadway and Daniel 'Da FunkyMystic' Celebre, of of Michael Jacksons' principle dancers from his planned 'This Is It' tour and of course teh Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede.

As with last year, before the Chuckwagon Racing we all stood and removed our hats for the national anthem. We were both very proud of ourselves when we were actually able to join in this year!  "Oh Canada..............

The Grandstand Show begins.

In the picture below you can see a steel globe and inside that four members of the Dominquez Daredevils a family of four motorcycle stunt riders that defy gravity by riding their bikes round inside the globe.  It was impressive with the two of them, but we couldn't help but hold our breath when all four of them were inside riding round at speed! Aswell as the stunt riders there were also three people suspended on wires above the audience and four riders doing jumps across the stage!

As the show reached its finale the fireworks begun!

We had both had a great day out and all thanks to The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, on our doorstep!  

Stampede Fever Begins with a Parade!

Firstly let me tell you a bit about stampede.  Founded in 1912 The Calgary Stampede is a yearly 10 day long event that literally takes over the city.  The Stampede, also known as 'The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth', boasts some of the biggest and most richest Rodeo competition attracting over 1 million visitors.  As well as the rodeo, the Stampede grounds are full of agricultural competitions, stage shows, music concerts, an amusement park, Chuckwagon racing, a market place, and displays and performances from the First Nations (to name but a few).  

Calgary is struck by Stampede fever for almost 2 weeks, when the city becomes one big party to complement the Stampede grounds.  There are free 'Stampede Breakfasts' everyday all over the city, where you can just turn up and be treated to sausages, pancakes, maple syrup, juice and coffee all whilst being entertained with a huge variety of musical and entertainment acts.  As Nige and I missed this last year as we were both working so are planning on making the most of them this year.   There are special events/parties at bars and restaurants and Nige and I have been invited with a group of people (from the hospital i was working at) for a stampede night out this friday.  There is also a  long list of artists and bands performing in the stampede grounds, including Bon Jovi for which we have tickets on the thursday night, and One Republic.  This year Calgary is also being treated to an ice show featuring both past and present Olympic medalists.  During Stampede it is difficult to see over the sea of denim and cowboy hats as residents and visitors alike will don the most appropriate attire for the festivities with the Calgary Stampede website stating the dress code as 'jeans'!!!!!  Now both Nige and I have obviously ensured that as long as we don't open our mouths and speak we'll blend in seamlessly with the locals by purchasing some key western items (pictures to follow in the next few posts!!)

So thats the basics for Calgary Stampede, and this is all kicked off with a huge parade in Downtown Calgary. Now we had missed this last year as we were both working so I was really excited about catching it, along with 350,000 other spectators and over 2 million Canadians watching it live on TV!  I had done my research and found out that although the parade doesn't actually start until 9 am, 10,000 plus people will arrive before 7:30 in order to secure a good viewing point!!!  Determined to get a good position the alarm was set fam \r 5:15am and by 6am we were ordering our breakfast at Tim Hortons ready for the 20minute train ride into Downtown.  Although we were rather weary, we were glad of the early rise as we managed to get a a prime position on the 2nd floor of a parking lot, directly overlooking the street!   

7:15am - Nige having a little sit down with the morning paper in our PRIME location!

Now due to the high number of spectators that arrive so early there is what's called a 'Parade Prelude' where from 7:30am to 9am dancers, mascots and entertainers travel along the parade route keeping us amused while we wait. 

About 20 minutes before the parade was due to begin, everyones attention was drawn to the sky as Canada's famous Snowbird jets, treated us to a 'fly by' of the parade route. Calgary had obviously decided that as we'd all got up so early, we needed waking up and what better way that that!!

The atmosphere was electric with cheering and clapping when they went past, especially as everyone had been half asleep and were quickly waking up whilst frantically fumbling round to find their cameras!!! (including us!) 

The Parade begun just after 9am and we were rewarded for our early rise.  The parade included, amongst other things, over 3,000 people and over 750 horses!  Yet again apologies for the photo quality, but as we still haven't brought a replacement camera, all our photos are courtesy of Nigel's iPhone.

Wide awake after our Snowbird wake up call!

The RCMP having a play on the motorbikes.

Harry the Horse, the Stampede mascot.

A selection of Calgary Stampede Queens and Princesses from 1953-2010.

One of a large number of groups of Scottish Bag-pipers!

An old fire cart, complete with a very well behaved Dalmatian in the front seat!

It was humbling when representatives and service personnel from all of the Canadian Armed Forces sparked a standing ovation, clapping and cheering from the crowd.

Representatives of the Treaty 7 First Nations dressed in their traditional dress.

Below is the first of a number of photos taken of the city's road sweepers, that were included every so often in the parades line up in order to keep the road clean 

(750 horses = a lot of pooh!)  I loved that fact that they were all dressed up so that they became part of the parade, brilliant! 

Introducing............the horse sweeper!

Now for the Bull sweeper!

Of corse we couldn't get distracted by all these cowboys and indians 

and what would a Calgary parade be without some hockey!

Yet after a minute of chanting "Go Flames Go" and having a large inflatable hockey

player pass by, we're all cruelly reminded that winter isn't too far away!!

This guy was extremely brave riding the huge bull, but Nige and I agreed that he's 

not half as brave as the guy who first tried to put on the saddle!!!

 

These horses were tiny!

These were smaller again...........

And smaller still.........

 

.....and these horses were so small they needed four of them to pull the cart!!!

The Chuckwagon Competitors.

These sheep couldn't believe their luck when they were put in a pen full of hay first thing this morning.  Little do they know that the next 10 days they'll be being chased by the nice looking dog at the front of the float!!

A cow sweeper!

A pony Sweeper!

A wonderful morning had by all, especially with such a diverse assortment of music, dancing and entertainment,.  We especially loved all the marching bands that were playing some great songs like 'Call Me Al', 'Eye of the Tiger' and the theme tune to 'The Magnificent Seven", (Google it if you're not sure, I promise you'll know it!!).  The parade went on for over 2 hours and after such an early morning and an energetic few hours shouting "YAHOO" and dancing to the music, when the parade finished we headed off for some ribs and wings (no joke!)....see i told you, say nothing and they have no idea that we were born in the UK!!!!

(DRUM ROLL PLEASE)

For the 'Grand Finale' ........................................................a five wide road sweeper formation, followed by a couple of tow truckS for any stragglers and a police car opening the road behind him, now thats what I call efficient!!!