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Wednesday’s Weekly Update No.4

I skipped writing an update last week because there was nothing new to report since Wednesday’s Weekly Update No.3.

1. Canada’s Boarder Closure. As expected, Canada and the USA have extended their boarder closure until ‘at least the 21st August’. This is the fourth time the US/Canada boarder closure has been extended and each time the news that the Canadian boarder will remained closed to the rest of the world has been added on at the end of the month as a side note! There is currently nothing official regarding Canada extending its boarder closure with the rest of the world. But I’m not hopeful as it seems likely that the now familiar pattern will be repeated. And so once again we wait to see if Canada will make some exemptions to which foreign workers are allowed to enter the country.

2. Our wander around the U.K. continues After 3 months at my Mum’s house in Wiltshire, we’re now nearly back where we started in the South East! We’ll be here for the next two weeks, staying at a friend’s house while they are on holiday. It has been seven months since we moved out and during that entire time we’ve lived with friends and family or in their houses! Although the sight of a packing cube no longer fills me with the joy and excitement it once did, I am immensely grateful to have had so much help this year.

What’s Bothering Babs?

Babs’ question: Why don’t you try and go?

Partly Bally, our Greyhound. Much as I’m sure he’d like to be turned free to hunt squirrels, he’d be useless. Plus, we rather like him. But seriously, the main reason is that I could be refused entry and made to return to the UK. Meanwhile, Jacob would have to remain in/enter Canada. Since, there is no clear end to the boarder closer in sight we would be separated without knowing how long for. In short, the financial and emotional implications are great.

“You’re moving where?” Introducing Prince George, Canada.

We are, as you know, attempting to move to a city called Prince George. Where? Prince what? Isn’t that a royal kid?

I’m guessing that, like me until last October, you hadn’t heard of Prince George in British Columbia, Canada. If things had worked out as planned, we would be there by now and I would be writing a blog to introduce you to my new city.

For a perspective of someone who has been there – and had to returned thanks to coronavirus – check out First impressions of life in Northern BC, Canada, in 3 photos.

But from my perspective, for now, let me share what I have learnt about Prince George from my research. Where is it? What is there to do there? Why the ridiculous name? Read on to find out…

Location

Prince George is located in the centre of Canada’s westernmost province: British Columbia. In Canadian terms, it’s near Vancouver – just a casual eight hour drive away! So about as near as Brighton is to Edinburgh!

Population

Prince George’s most famous resident: Mr PG

Prince George is a mid-sized city, home to around 80,000 people. To put that in perspective for us Brits, that’s a similar population to Bath, which has about 89,000 inhabitants.

History of Prince George

Can you guess how Prince George got it’s name? Yep, that’s right, despite being located on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh Nation, Prince George is named after King George III. That’s the mad one, or, to quote Horrible Histories, the one who was as “batty as a bonkers kangaro-oooo”. In 1807 a fur trading post was established in the region, agriculture slowly developed and once the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway joined the party, a city was inevitable.

Perks of Prince George

Here’s a little taster of some of the things Prince George has to offer, which really excite me. In the city there are over one hundred parks, there is also ancient forests with hundreds of kilometres of trails to hike and cycle. The world famous Jasper and Banff national parks are near enough for a weekend trip, but I’m really excited about the mountains near Prince George, such as the wonderfully named Teapot Mountain.

Spending weekends ‘at the lake’ is a norm, people often spend their Saturdays Paddle Boarding or Kayaking before hiding their food in a bear barrel and hunkering down in the tent.

The big draw for many: the snow. Which means that learning to Ski is a must if I’m going to make peace with the Canadian winter. Each year they also flood fields, let them freeze and hey presto you’ve got an ice skating rink!

And a final perk to prove (to my cold-loathing self) that winter rewards people: the elusive Northern Lights pays a visit to dance above the night sky between mid-September and mid-March. Finally, just encase, all this outdoorsy stuff gets a bit tiring (as if!) Prince George has a winery and a craft beer distillery.

Check out this video for more on what PG has to offer…

First impressions of life in Northern BC, Canada, in 3 photos

Today I thought I’d change the tone a little. Rather than focusing on not being able to get there, I thought I would focus on Canada and life in Prince George, BC.

If you’re keeping up, you’ll know that Jacob – my husband – moved to Prince George, in February ahead of me (and our Greyhound) to begin work. He then had to return when the crisis hit.

I thought I’d share a little of his experience through three photographs which he sent me while he was living there, waiting for me to arrive. As they are things that Jacob was keen I see and knew I’d be excited by, they are perfect to share with you, to show his first impressions.

1. Snow

Jacob sent me this on the 8th March. Just look at all that snow. He took this walking from where he was staying, to the university where he works. That winter wonderland was his commute. His commute!! Now, full disclosure: I hate the cold. So as he sent me heaps of beautiful photographs of snow dripping from evergreens, piled high on pavements and silently falling onto an unbroken field of white; he also constantly assured me that, ‘it’s not actually that cold’. Hum, I’m not convinced, but I can’t deny it’s beautiful.

2. Outdoor living

This photograph made me very excited about the lifestyle in Prince George. On a walk one day, Jacob came across this adorable outdoor cooking area which is complete with blankets, heaters and stoves for the public to use. Firstly, why haven’t those blankets been stolen? Secondly, why don’t they charge people? This wholesome outdoor set-up is surely too good to be true said my cynical British brain. It must be a haunt for kids with White Lightening setting fire each others trainers. But apparently not, as Jacob’s accompanying text said there were families having a BBQ and sledging! What is this outdoor paradise, get me there!

4. Wildlife

On Jacob’s first night in Prince George he was informed that he didn’t need to worry about the bears for the moment as they were hibernating. But that he would need to give the Moose a wide berth, especially when walking along the trail, through the woods, to get to work. Moose are, well, huge and when startled, are not necessary the safest partner for a ramble. Jacob was advised that, should he meet one on the path, he must turn around and walk away calmly. He hadn’t even made it onto the path the day he first encountered a Moose, this chap came right up to the back gate for Jacob to snap this photograph. Look at him, what a beast. I can’t wait to meet him and his bear buddies. From a distance, a very large distance.

So there we have it. Three photos which share an insight into Jacob’s first impressions of life in Prince George and the things he knew I would be excited to see. I hope you enjoyed seeing them, it’s definitely reminded me that living in limbo right now will be worth it in the long run.