Lee had his test today and I'm really pleased to say that he has passed first time - well done Lee !!
We headed straight to get this registered officially and flipped my licence whilst we were there. Any wives/partners doing this will need to ensure that they have their UK license and counterpart, passport and work permit and proof of residency IE bank statement, rental agreement etc as we are not yet employed in AB.
Tomorrow is Canada Day so it is a bank holiday here so we will be heading off to Lake Henderson to watch the fireworks tomorrow evening. The bank holiday also means Lee gets to have the weekend off before heading off on his first mentor trip.
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Spouse work permits extended
Monday, 28 June 2010
going well
The house is coming together nicely, we have all of our furniture now and only a couple of hiccups which will be sorted out tomorrow. The furniture store sent the wrong table and chairs and the doors on the TV cabinet do not close properly, we rang the guys at the store and was assured it would be rectified asap. the new stuff will be delivered on Tuesday and the old stuff removed at the same time, the salesman will even come and put it all together for you - you wouldn't get that in the UK !!
Lee's driving is going well and he should take his test this week but there may be a little delay with it being the Canada Day bank holiday.... no bother we aren't paying rent just anyhow as our landlord gave us some time free of charge :-)
We signed up for our cable and Internet so once that is all up and running I will post some pictures of the house etc
Our next thing on the to do list is to find a cheap run around car for lee to get to and from work and for me if I am not going with him on a trip. I have now driven for the first time over here :-) I drove all the way back to Lethbridge from Fort McLeod about 50 Kilometers.
Lee's driving is going well and he should take his test this week but there may be a little delay with it being the Canada Day bank holiday.... no bother we aren't paying rent just anyhow as our landlord gave us some time free of charge :-)
We signed up for our cable and Internet so once that is all up and running I will post some pictures of the house etc
Our next thing on the to do list is to find a cheap run around car for lee to get to and from work and for me if I am not going with him on a trip. I have now driven for the first time over here :-) I drove all the way back to Lethbridge from Fort McLeod about 50 Kilometers.
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
House Rented !!
When we left Chris & Tina's on Monday evening we drove around looking at more houses and saw one just around the corner, called the landlord to see if we could view it the following day, he said if you re near by I can be there in 5 minutes!! Result !!
We waited for Dallas to arrive and headed inside, totally loved it!! Negotiated a great price on the rent with some utilities included too. DAY ONE was a fantastic day!!
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The following morning I headed to the mall whilst Lee went for diver training and found stuff for the house. Once Lee was back we headed to the south side to look at furniture and add me to the Canadian bank account this was a simple process and only took around 10 minutes, I was issued with my debit card there and then and set up my own pin right there in the branch, very different experience to the UK. The other difference is you get charged for everything !! We needed a cheque book as our landlord has requested the rent be paid by this method it cost around $40 for 100 cheques there are so may different designs which you can upgrade to if you choose - "I'll take the cheapest please"
When we were at Tina & Chris' yesterday we also met Jo whose hubby also works for H&R. She very kindly invited us all for a roast dinner and volunteered her hubby who was arriving home that night to cook it !!So come 4:30 we headed for Jo & Faron's for a fabulous Roast beef dinner. Faron you are a genius it was amazing. Lee has to cook next time should be interesting!! (hope everyone likes beans on toast or take away!!)
After dinner we met Dallas to pay the first months rent and damage deposit and pick up the keys to our new home, we also got the rest of this month free :-)
We waited for Dallas to arrive and headed inside, totally loved it!! Negotiated a great price on the rent with some utilities included too. DAY ONE was a fantastic day!!
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The following morning I headed to the mall whilst Lee went for diver training and found stuff for the house. Once Lee was back we headed to the south side to look at furniture and add me to the Canadian bank account this was a simple process and only took around 10 minutes, I was issued with my debit card there and then and set up my own pin right there in the branch, very different experience to the UK. The other difference is you get charged for everything !! We needed a cheque book as our landlord has requested the rent be paid by this method it cost around $40 for 100 cheques there are so may different designs which you can upgrade to if you choose - "I'll take the cheapest please"
When we were at Tina & Chris' yesterday we also met Jo whose hubby also works for H&R. She very kindly invited us all for a roast dinner and volunteered her hubby who was arriving home that night to cook it !!So come 4:30 we headed for Jo & Faron's for a fabulous Roast beef dinner. Faron you are a genius it was amazing. Lee has to cook next time should be interesting!! (hope everyone likes beans on toast or take away!!)
After dinner we met Dallas to pay the first months rent and damage deposit and pick up the keys to our new home, we also got the rest of this month free :-)
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Who ordered the rain ?
Woke on my first morning in Lethbridge to rain :-( and not just any rain it was banging it down !!!! Lethbridge has recently had some of the worst rain ever and been subject to some flooding. The Old Man River is sooooo high the roads around it are still closed as a precaution. The rain did stop around 11am and the sun was out for the rest of the day.
Once Lee was back from his driver training we went to the mall to get me a Canadian cell number. For the next couple of hours we drove around West Lethbridge looking at rentals that I had seen on-line. We also called into see Chris and Tina Lunnon who are also working for H&R Transport, I came bringing goodies (bisto and oxo cubes) that are so expensive in comparison to the UK. We were invited to stay for tea and all shared some fabulous BBQ food made by Chris (thanks Chris)It was great to be made to feel so welcome on my first day here.
Once Lee was back from his driver training we went to the mall to get me a Canadian cell number. For the next couple of hours we drove around West Lethbridge looking at rentals that I had seen on-line. We also called into see Chris and Tina Lunnon who are also working for H&R Transport, I came bringing goodies (bisto and oxo cubes) that are so expensive in comparison to the UK. We were invited to stay for tea and all shared some fabulous BBQ food made by Chris (thanks Chris)It was great to be made to feel so welcome on my first day here.
Monday, 21 June 2010
Yorkies are now in Canada
Arrived safely in Calgary yesterday at 15:05 Canadian time. Flight was good but long with no in-flight entertainment as the whole TV/movie system had broke !!! Bad Times
Had a lovely lady sat next to me though and we managed to keep ourselves entertained.
When the flight landed I headed over to customs with the card that you are given on the plane, I told the customs guy that it was my intention to apply for an open work permit. He stamped my card and sent me over to the immigration offices. The lady that helped me there was the same officer that had issued Lee with his Temporary Work Permit 10 days earlier and she remembered him so she was fully up to date with the scheme that is running in Alberta for Truckers wives/spouses. I had with me a copy of Lee's passport, our common law declaration (this was notarized in the UK), a copy of Lee's work permit and contract of work with H&R, my police check and a copy of Lee's. Things could not have gone smoother I was issued with my work permit and was sent to the cashier to pay my $150. After collecting my bags I headed out to meet Lee.
Lee collected me from Calgary and we headed straight to A W's for a burger (who says romance isn't dead eh?) I was a little emotional on the drive up to Lethbridge, it had been a stressful few days with the build up to the move and also seeing Lee again was great. It was lovely and sunny for our drive back to Lethbridge which cheered me up no end.
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We drove around the west side to check out and potential rentals as this is the first thing on the to do list. Will keep you all posted
Had a lovely lady sat next to me though and we managed to keep ourselves entertained.
When the flight landed I headed over to customs with the card that you are given on the plane, I told the customs guy that it was my intention to apply for an open work permit. He stamped my card and sent me over to the immigration offices. The lady that helped me there was the same officer that had issued Lee with his Temporary Work Permit 10 days earlier and she remembered him so she was fully up to date with the scheme that is running in Alberta for Truckers wives/spouses. I had with me a copy of Lee's passport, our common law declaration (this was notarized in the UK), a copy of Lee's work permit and contract of work with H&R, my police check and a copy of Lee's. Things could not have gone smoother I was issued with my work permit and was sent to the cashier to pay my $150. After collecting my bags I headed out to meet Lee.
Lee collected me from Calgary and we headed straight to A W's for a burger (who says romance isn't dead eh?) I was a little emotional on the drive up to Lethbridge, it had been a stressful few days with the build up to the move and also seeing Lee again was great. It was lovely and sunny for our drive back to Lethbridge which cheered me up no end.
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We drove around the west side to check out and potential rentals as this is the first thing on the to do list. Will keep you all posted
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Last day in UK
Well most of our goodbyes have been said just my Mum and Dad, the pooch and Mick left in the morning. We have had some fantastic nights out with friends before we leave and have shed many a tear..... didn't think it would be so hard.
Have spent my last day running last minute errands, and of course doing the bloody packing, chuffing bane of my life!!
Must have packed, weighed suitcases and unpacked/re packed suitcases and boxes like a million times today. Have thus sent Lee on a mission to get radox bubble bath ready for tomorrow to rest my aching back.
My wonderful lift to the airport (Michael) will be collecting me at 8:45. I'm very nervous about travelling all that way on my own, I'm quite a nervous flier to start with so will be filling my boots with kalms tonight. On a positive I cant wait to see Lee tomorrow :-)
Whilst I have been partying Lee has been having his driver training and has now mastered the dreaded gear box !!!
Have spent my last day running last minute errands, and of course doing the bloody packing, chuffing bane of my life!!
Must have packed, weighed suitcases and unpacked/re packed suitcases and boxes like a million times today. Have thus sent Lee on a mission to get radox bubble bath ready for tomorrow to rest my aching back.
My wonderful lift to the airport (Michael) will be collecting me at 8:45. I'm very nervous about travelling all that way on my own, I'm quite a nervous flier to start with so will be filling my boots with kalms tonight. On a positive I cant wait to see Lee tomorrow :-)
Whilst I have been partying Lee has been having his driver training and has now mastered the dreaded gear box !!!
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