Tuesday 17 December

This is what it looked like outside in the almost full moonlight last night (picture from inside, of course, as it was -27 by this time, with the minimum by midnight of -28):

A little bit of a sleep-in this morning till 7.45; when we got up it was -18. We had some fruit and then drove through the town to a small cafe called Louis II. We lingered quite a while over breakfast, which was very reasonably price and there was no way I could finish all the food; many cafes have a bottomless coffee, as did this one but that’s like drinking mud.  

Very funny: the sign reads Belly Ice Cream Company!

We had a wander for quite a while through the town, browsing in several stores; for this type of excursion, it’s just warm jackets, hats, gloves, which come off in the car, go back on to get into the or shop and then gradually peel off layers as we get warmed up.

Once we got back to our cottage, we got into all the heavy-duty warm stuff and Steve and I put on showshoes (again, this task takes some time to complete) – a real fun experience walking through the new snow which was quite deep. I was wearing Dianne’s snowshoes, so she only came a little way, sinking way deep in the snow, so she could get some pictures of us. We walked about 200 metres to the river, which was frozen, of course, but it’s so quiet with no-one else around: there’s a real hush, with snow softly falling: picture postcard, incredible beauty.

Back to the cottage, where Dianne had a pot of soup ready, so we had “lunch” and then off for the next adventure. By now we had got as high as -11 and at some stage it warmed up even further to -9!

We were going to Arrowhead Provincial Park. Before we left Kitchener, Dianne had made phone calls to see where would be a good place to give me a cross-country skiing experience. Arrowhead is very close to where we’re staying but, as Dianne was told, it doesn’t open until Friday this week, and that’s only because the snow is so early. A phone call connected with the operator of the park, whose name is Helen. When Dianne explained that they have me with them, that I’m from Oz and that they wanted to give me a cross-country skiing experience, she said “why don’t you just come over and drive through the gate and come on up to the office”.

We drove into the park (you can see the sign says "Park Closed" and down the winding road – picture a louge (think Winter Olympics: bobsled team), with snow banks on each side and snow/ice on the track – that’s what driving on this road is exactly like, only it’s bigger and you’re driving a big, heavy vehicle on big, rubber tyres meant for bitumen. What fun!

Helen was very welcoming and she and the girls were delighted to meet me – I’m sort of getting used to being the current attraction wherever they take me! She skilfully fitted me with all the right stuff, telling us that she’s always wanted to go to Oz but she’s afraid of the snakes!!!!

So out I walked, skis, poles in hand, with very secure, warm boots. Helen told us we could drive to the store further down the track and use the car park for a ski experience. We did that and had quite a good go for maybe 200 metres or so. Again, it was a lot of fun.

After the gear was back in the car, Dianne spotted a clearing and said we had to make snow angels. For the unitiated, this involves falling backwards into the snow – very, very soft, like a puffy doona - and then spreading your arms and legs back and forth, forming the “carving” into the snow.

When you stand up, lo and behold, there’s a snow angel!

Back to the ski store and getting all the gear off. I decided to give Helen my email address, on my little sticky notes with the scripture verse. Turns out she is a pastor, ordained in the Pentecostal church! So we shared a lovely few minutes; then Dianne asked for the bill for the ski hire and use of the park – Helen wouldn’t charge us anything!

Miracle No 1: that we got into the park at all.

Miracle No 2: it didn’t cost anything!

Our God is an awesome God – if you’re praying for me while I’m here, don’t stop! He’s listening!

Very funny: don't look for a drink here - it's all snowed up!

We relaxed this afternoon, catching up on internet “homework” before going out for dinner. Temp at 5.00pm was around -14 and you always add a wind chill factor of 2 or 3 degrees to that. By this time it’s very, very dark. Even though it’s a full moon tonight, we won’t get to see it because it’s very cloudy and snow is expected overnight. However, coming days will continue to warm up. Dinner was at Three Guys and a Stove: great food, enough for a doggy bag for our hot breakfast in the morning.