snow in ottawa

It started snowing last night after a few days of the snow melting, luckily it is 12 degrees tomorrow
We are really looking forward to being away in a week, the girls finished school last night for 2 weeks and they are thrilled, They have a busy week before we leave for Florida
Adam is looking forward to the break as well
Phil has had a good time in Lanzo as she has text me most days, today is her last day
Duane is losing his job in August and they will have to move again, they are hoping that he will be able to go to northern California near Sacramento, they are lucky that they are very flexible as Duane's co workers cannot all move. If not they will go back to Lincoln Nebraska, hopefully they will go to California
Hows the weather?
Michael is off to DC on Monday and will meet us in Florida on Saturday evening, we are driving down to the US boarder on Monday morning as we have to leave Canada go across the boarder and then come back in to get our permanent residency papers for Canada. If we stay long enough we may end up with Canadian Citizenship the kids would then have 3 passports!
see you in a week love Angela

Florida Storms 10 March

We have been almost battened down with 60mph winds and torrential rain - tedious after 3 days and no hope of improvement. Fortunately it is not cold so we get out in anoraks and walked along beach and a pier in between showers.

Hopefully we will have usual weather for Angela next weekend - around 80 degrees with little humidity. We are sure they will prefer here to downtown Miami as before as local and lively.

We have settled to everyday life in sun - and losing weight on diet of salads , fresh fruit and meat - the steaks are fantastic. Time flies and suitcase going to be full!

We haven't graced a swim in sea as azure colour but there are life guards every 100 yards and board warns against rip tides and Portuguese man of war. We used to get then in HK - gives you a nasty sting.


The owner of flat is totally obsessive - apart from wearing no shoes ,she has left about 100 stickers even how to pull curtains . More importantly the dishwasher is useless and does not keep clean so we wash by hand .

Fabulous facilities here with huge gym and large swimming pool area plus landscaped gardens plus floodlit tennis court and can be used by guests -

- the best block in area and great location with top quality restaurants next door and you get the water taxi to explore .

Your Ma comes with me to "Dive" pub acrooss Oakland bld for a lemonade as I try beer . There are signs up "Hugs free - just ask" and another " There is no vaccine for dumbasses " Quite as you can imagine not the most salubrious but long happy hour.

We have got to know Kate bar maid - she worked in IT in Chicago and left to look after Mother with ca breast here in Ft Lauderdale. Your mas experience improved her morale.

There are hundreds of millionaires boats on the inland waterways. Pity we don't own one!

The condos are ridiculously cheap to buy as housing still in doldrums. A 1 bed similar to this but lower floor ( we are on 17th) was sold for 138,000$ reduced from 189k.

We went to mass on Sunday at a modern church near where Angela will stay - there are 5 masses on Sunday and they had a special collection and raised 166,000$ for Miami Diocese - to top up fund - you can guess why the church finances are in extremis. Both priests were older than me in fact we are pretty youthful in this area as golden oldies in 90's and still active.

No news from James or Chris - Phil excused as in Lanzo

Ma is watching PBS - Frank Sinatra oldies

50 not out ! Fort Lauderdale March 3rd 2012 Diamonds are for ever

Your Ma did not want to join in with local bling or Deidre for that matter -I bought a wedding anniversary present at Macy's of a 3 string real pearls - very nice as small beads - plus a 2 carat emerald and diamond ear rings. You cannot get clip on stones because of weight and one of your mas ear lobes is split.

Your Ma was in car waiting and did not want so she picked a nice sapphire ring and you should have seen assistants face to refund 3-3k$ . Your ma nearly had me certified ! at such largess and wanted me to have a wedding ring - too late in day.

We have had a downturn in weather with high winds and rain so luckily we had anoraks in car. The garden furniture blew over . We were going for a ride on water taxi around town but waiting to see.

We went for a drive yesterday to a fabulous resort 6 miles north called Deerfield City which we will recommend to Angela as great beach and upmarket hotel behind to use for drink and food. Plus there are nice sunbeds and shades to hire which is not the case in FT L.

The anniversary flowers are surviving well and look like new so hope they will survive for 2 weeks as tropical hardies. The red tulips wilted in a few days in the heat.

We hope the postcards are received as post slow here - we are running short of animals on cards to send . We are now blase and not bothering going for ride on air boats to see alligators. Good trip for Angela's family as exciting if they haven't done before.

Anna obviously did not consider Florida - apparently it is popular and there are some good universities - Florida Uni descibes itself as Harvard of south! Cheaper fees than most .

We note cold weather in UK - plus Giants winning without me watching beating St Helen's last weekend. Mike A is carrying the flag.

I think we are losing weight as we eat very healthily - plenty salads flesh fruit and steaks . The quality has to be seen as so fresh. We eat out about every 3 days and today fish of some sort - we have not had lobster as yet although your ma prefers crab.

Listening to David Cameron while type and home tax ridiculous over 2million - many people are asset rich in London - the 50% more equable.

We also watch Piers Morgan on CNN - he is quite good although extreme right wing female republican with frightening views was on last night.

well breakfast - the cars around are full of Quebec number plates

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary!
As Phil always points out, you get less time for murder!
Hope the flowers arrived,they were dropped off yesterday afternoon at the concierge, if you haven't received them could you go and get them. Dick recommended the florist and they were very nice on the phone, I asked for tropical flowers which should be spectacular
It is really snowy here and last night there was freezing rain and the cars are covered, every one is sad as the snow was melting 2 weeks ago and now we are back to winter , Michael and Adam will go skiing tomorrow though
Anna got in to another university and is now accepted at 4, she should hear from the others this month
izzy applied to a writing program at columbia for 3 weeks in the summer and got accepted ,she is thrilled as she loves to write.
I have an exericise class this morning at 8am hence I am up early waiting for my ride.
How is Florida? I am sure that the weather is lovely, your trip seems to be going very quickly but at least you will get back and there will be no snow , we will have snow now until the end of April
Have a good day love Angela

50 not out ! Fort Lauderdale March 3rd 2012

Your ma said yesterday that it was our wedding anniversary today but she didn't want a fuss!

A few minutes ago ,there was a knock on the door and delivery of flowers in a huge glass vase ,which overwhelmed your Mother, who will describe as she is sitting on couch doing codewords with patio door open and view of blue skies and sea . Paradise!

It is 85 degrees and i have just had a swim in pool - we met people in block escaping Canada weather. They live near Detroit and said weather is better than usual for winter.

Ma

thank you so much - we are delighted with the exotic flowers - we have never had any bunch like this before and it is very thoughtful of you all to remember us .

there are purple orchids,yellow orchids.,bird of paradise flowers,Proteus, two types,bromeliards and green tropical foliage. we have taken photos so will see if dad can transfer to this blog.

This morning we went shopping in mall and bought swimming costumes for isla,Evie and Aoife plus Bermuda shorts and the boys & T-shirts for their holidays - don't mention but you will not need to buy.

today we are going to drive to centre of FT L as there is an art festival - of national interest. It is huge and we ahve to go out in the moerning before too warm.

Spring in Bolton

Hi Ma and Pa

I have just read your blog and although i have no confidence that this will reach you i will try all the same !
Glad that you are having a good time . Florida sounds lovely and i know that Ange and the crew are looking forward to some sunshine.
I am up early as have a job interview in Middleton this afternoon. It is for an employment adviser working for a Charity getting young people back to work. It is not centrally funded but has its grant from The European Central Fund. There are a couple of posts in Bury and some in Middleton. It would be quite challenging as economy is so depressed and there is a lot of controversy around putting young people in Work placements without any training or incentives. However I will go and see. There is as you know lots of young people who want to work and a minority of those hardcore who dont. Always has been.!
I had a lovely weekend with Jim and sara last weekend. Michael was over and we went for a super meal at an italian restaurant in North Leeds lots of bling and no sign of depression there !. The meal was lovely and plenty of champagne . Mike was well and loves Jims children. They were all well. James was watching the rugby when i arrived. The England and Wales match . Did you catch it ? Good game but some way to go to be real contenders. Isla brought in a Wales flag as Sara was born in Wales.!
I am going away for a week with Val next week. We got a last minute deal to Lanzarote £217 for a week flights and transfers and B &B. More importantly sun. It will be the last hol as she is moving south as you know. Molly will be boarded. It will bring back some memories of Deidre as visited her.there years ago.
Last week i went to the Duke of Lancasters regiment to hand over cheque with my neighbours to them. Very interesting museam and all local medals. You will be pleased to know your regiment have the most honours RAMC including some in recent conflicts. It was a good day.and we were treated well.It is in Preston.
Well that is all. Weather mild but foggy but getting lighter and flowers out. We had a walk in Roundhay park and the flowers were a wall of colour.

Have a good time

Love Phil x

Naples to Ft Lauderdale

We are sitting in a luxurious penthouse flat in Ft Lauderdale as we watch cruise liners sail out to sea - stunning views. On 16th floor.

Angela's children would love to visit as we have huge gardens with swimming pool plus barbecue area and tennis court with lights.

We met the owner who has 3 flats all worth a 1m or more and to say obsessive would be an understatement - she has left sticky labels - yellow all over - at least a 100 and we have to wear slippers - no great problem as marble floors and 81 today . Even given tips on using duster if dusty!

Your ma is enjoying US Today paper and reads out weather daily from UK and Ottawa - today 29 with snow. The main interest is crossword puzzle.

We drove to Naples on Sunday about 200 miles - fair drive to us but wimps as people we spoke to at Ramada had driven 1200-1500 miles one way =apparently flights are ridiculous price from smaller airports.

Naples oozed of money but very nice place to stay - the Ramada was essentially a motel with facilities in room plus table and chairs. It was half term so heaving.

The drive down Alligator alley was a disappointment as no alligators - the water areas were flooded so below surface . A toll road but only 2.50$ .

We use Publix and marvel at quality of goods and civility of staff - what a contrast. Fruit is in abundance so plums and peaches today. Plus salads .

I received an email today to say my tenant Jose the financial director for Ferrovial at Heathrow is leaving after 5 years . He has married and wife expecting so large house near Canterbury to enable maternal family to live in. Quite a drive.

We takes life quietly although walked nearly 3 miles to post office and sat in Italian cafe for coffee and i bought a cibbati loaf - just across road .

For Angela - we are at junction A1 with Oakland Blvd near beach. The water taxi starts near .

I think your addition was blocked so you have to sign in.

No news of Margaret .

We have done some shopping at mall for all - your Ma loves shopping for all ! Plus writing postcards - we are regulars at PO.

Orlando - Animals and Altzeimers

Not to spoil the habits of a lifetime - my daily Altzeimer test was taken on BA business class - i usually get 3 out of 10. The diagnosis was confirmed when every holiday starts for me with first G&T - i used the straw for minute or so and then realised it was the swivel stick!

One of my habits of never paying more than £5 for a good bottle of wine in a supermarket - well the wine with our meal was to die for Chablis 2009 Domaine Ste Claire for our prawn starter followed by fillet etc . Good wine at a price.

The flight was 10 hours but 4 extra hours from Manchester with flight and hanging around was tedious . Still we made it as very comfortabel in business class.

We used a porter and he was excellent waiting to get car and packing in boot. We have a new Chevy and believe me drives wonderfully.

We found the house easily with sat nav and Tucker Shiatsu loves your ma and we could have been forgiven he remembered us . Your ma fed him too well and cautioned not to overfeed .

The black snake is keeping a low profile although i hear at night - now endangered specimens according to paper - described as non lethal bite so reassured!

We are having a great time in sunshine with weather usually 75 - we haven;t been in pool yet.We have tropical lifestyle and eat outdoors even brek at 7am when we were a little lagged.

Sunday we went to Cathedral and could be mistaken for no recession at wealth - mostly our age . Afterwards Rick who is V-President took us around Florida Uni and speechless at dynamism and money available for research etc . We are in dark ages.

Your ma knits as per usual and i have read a Grisham book loaned. The Hosts were very happy with twinning tea and book by J Paxman - your mas Christmas present recycled.

We are going out tomorrow night for a meal - Scot was restaurant critic for paper but now has a web page - we will get VIP treatment .

Curious at technology - we are listening to 10 o'clock news on BBC4 on notebook. People were checking in on flight using bar code on 3g telephone and today when we visited botanical garden you could use your phone on curious logos and you would get a commentary etc.

Departure 15th Feb 2012

I don't know about you, folks, but we are off. Over the last week. The weather has been very cold with snow and iceand we were very disappointed to find that it was very rainy in Florida. However it should be 25° when we arrive.

We had a minor hiccup when I checked booking on British Airways to find that your mother's name was not on the manifesto for Orlando . I had to check up with customer relations and they wanted a confirmation of some passport details. It is now an electronic Visa waiver similar to Australia so I hope it works.

Dawn is going to clean the house when we are away and after the experience at Kilham , we're going to turn the water off so there is no danger of a flood.

Chris has settled into Kilham with a family and the weather is due to be 10° tomorrow when they visit the beach in Bridlington. This is just an introduction to the blog. updates later .