Canada Day!

It's July 1, the one day Canadians feel it's actually OK to show we're proud to be Canadian. So what is Canadian?

I have pondered this question several times during my six years living in the UK, and my two years in Poland. What is it that makes us so different from our unforgettable neighbours to the south? And are we really that different?

I'm often mistaken for an American, due to my accent. I'm always quick to point out that I am, in fact, from a completely different country. But when people ask me what's the difference, I'm at pains to answer succinctly. Is it that we like hockey? No, Americans have that passion (obsession, some might say) as well. Tim Horton's? Nope, it's spread across the States. Crazy cold winters and lots of snow? Again, it's like that in the US, too. Perhaps it's the way we say 'about' (I've never understood that one, but apparently it's different!).

I'm not sure Canadian is something that can be defined. Perhaps it's in the way we react to events that find their way through to our little peaceful piece of the world. Like the 9-11 tragedy, when the people of Gander, Newfoundland -- a town of only 9,900 people -- took in 39 trans-Atlantic flights forced to land there, with over 6,600 passengers and crew, opening up their own homes and even organizing sight-seeing outings for those stranded.

Or, indeed, in the referendum of 1995, when the Quebecois voted on the possibility of Quebec independence. Over 100,000 Canadians from across the country travelled to Montreal to show their desire for Quebec to stay Canadian. And it did, with a narrow majority voting to remain in the country.

I don't know what it is but I do know this: I'm proud to be Canadian! And many thanks to Lynn for making this Canada Day particularly special by mentioning me on her Great Reads by Canadians post! I'm so honoured and thrilled to be in such great company.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, I know it's not November yet and I'm fully aware I'm living in England, but today is Thanksgiving for my friends and family back home in Canada. And I am very ashamed to admit that when The Man asked me why Canadians have a different date than Americans the occasion, I had no recollection of why that might be.

Now that I've refreshed my primary school history lessons, I am proud to say that the tradition started in my home province of Nova Scotia. The French settlers, led by Samuel de Champlain, celebrated surviving the ocean crossing. They held a feast to mark the occasion, which they shared with the Natives. So all in all, a similar story to the American one with a slight Canadian twist.

The holiday comes just as the leaves are turning their amazing colours of flaming red and orange, unlike in England where they turn brown and fall off in disgrace. And the weather usually cooperates, with the perfect combination of warm sun and crisp air. As much as I love London, nothing can compete with Fall in Nova Scotia.

Happy Labo(u)r Day

It's a shame we don't have Labor Day here in the UK. We do have 'Bank Holiday Monday', always the last weekend in August, but somehow that doesn't have the same ring. Labor Day is the perfect demarcation between summer and fall, vacation and school; the official signal that it's time to get your head down and work.

I was interested to see why the UK doesn't celebrate the holiday so I turned to my old faithful friend, Wikipedia. Surprisingly, Labor Day originated in Canada in 1872. An American later witnessed the annual event and decided to import it to his own country. The first American labor day was held in 1882; looks like the idea never caught on in England.

What can I say... all good ideas originate in Canada!

I (Won't) Be Home for Christmas

(OK, I know the title is a bit wonky...)

As much as I love London, I have to admit to getting a wee bit homesick around this time of year. I HATE snow, ice, cold etc etc (except when skiing or snowboarding), but it does lend a certain air to the Christmas festivities. In London, with the grass still green and the temperature on the positive side of the Celsius scale, one could almost imagine it's spring. Well, a Canadian spring, anyway.


Halifax, the capital, in yet another snowstorm. Actually, looking at this, I don't miss snow that much after all.

So to amuse myself and perhaps assuage my yearning for home, I decided to post these pictures of my homeland, Nova Scotia. In Canada. East of Toronto. The first thing you hit when you head across the Atlantic. No, not New York, or Boston....


An ice storm mid-winter.


Lighthouse at Peggy's Cove.




House in Sydney decked out for Christmas.