A Scorcher

We had our hottest day this year on Saturday, a scorcher at 27.6 degC.  Actually it did feel really hot so we decided to head down to Tanya Beach at about 11am on Saturday morning.  There were only a few families there when we arrived but by the time we left it in the afternoon it was the busiest place in Labrador City!

Now when I say beach I mean the sandy part of Tanya Lake.  The sand is a light brown colour and pretty coarse but it is like a beach.  Steve was extrememly keen and took the plunge out into the lake, he said it was the coldest water he had ever been in!  The kids don't seem to mind the cold water and were happy to play for hours in it.

For reference, it was the hottest recorded day this year and the coldest was -40.3 degC (without windchill factor) on Feb 14th.

Steve swimming in Tanya Lake

Tanya Lake in cooler days

Our first Canada Day

Last Friday the first of July was Canada Day.  We went along to the celebrations which were also the 50th anniversary celebrations for Labrador City.  There was a Newfie band playing and lots of free stuff for the kids,  we got flags, pins, tattoos and a show bag.  I was surprised when I arrived to see most people dressed in red or wearing Canada tops. 

In the afternoon we went to a Canada Day party with the some of the HSE team from IOC.  Fortunately the weather was awesome so we had a great first Canada Day!

Ryder waving his Canadian flag

Eating Fairy Floss

P.S. Steve has finally completed his dog sledding blog, check it out under April.

Our Cabin

We are now the proud owners of a cabin on Ashuanipi River!  It is very common for Newfie's to own a cabin but most people are surprised that some Aussies now have a cabin too.  I saw it for sale on the Labrador City Virtual Flea Market and suggested to Steve that we check it out.  A week later we are the new owners.

We had our first night at the cabin last weekend, we spent Saturday morning shopping for some essentials, such as new linen, and then Saturday afternoon we tidied up a bit so could enjoy our BBQ dinner and rest on Sunday.  The cabin has two bedrooms, a bathroom, living room and kitchen and is very comfortable. It came with everything in it including a generator shed and generator, with a remote start inside the cabin, a very full wood shed, a shed for the skidoo and an outhouse.

We also had our first visitors on Sunday, Jeff and Simone (recently arrived from Karratha) called in, as well as Leighann and Richard and their three boys.  The kids had a great time mucking around outside.

Ashuanipi River is about 60km away from our house towards Churchill Falls.  The road has only been paved in the last few years and our cabin is on a dirt track along the river, about 2km in.  In fact, we are right before the train line and can see the iron ore trains from our cabin!  The train has to sound it's horn because of the road crossing, it is very loud but I only heard it twice on Saturday night and no one else stirred at all.  Just like Dale Kerrigan says in The Castle "Location, Location, Location".  No really it's not that bad and there are other cabins nearby too!

The living room with an oil heater and a wood heater.

Looking towards the kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms on the left.

Our cabin from the driveway

Ashuanipi River, rail bridge



Returning to Labrador City

I must admit that I was a little worried about returning to Labrador City, we had quickly gotten used to the warm weather and I wasn't sure if I could cope with more snow.  There had been snow on the ground in October when we arrived and when we left in the first week of May it was still snowing.

Fortunately when we returned all the snow had finally melted.  The town looked very different but sort of dirty because all of the dirt and litter caught in the snowfall over the past eight months was left on the ground.  The town council had commenced lawn sweeping which is something I have never seen or heard of.  Basically they use a sweeper to sweep the sand and debris off your front lawn.  Once your lawn is swept it looks really nice, we also had a little bit of rain last Monday which is also greening up the lawn which had turned brown under the snow.

Tuesday night must have been cold as the Monday rain turned to snow and on Wednesday the whole town was white again!  I couldn't believe it!  However when I drove home from work on Wednesday it had melted again; thank God.  Our idea of nice weather has changed significantly from our days in Karratha.  The past week has been up to 18 degrees but mostly around 12 degrees.  This prompts everyone to get out and about, there are people out walking and gardening, the local park is busy with kids and even though it's not really that warm you feel like it's ok to wear t-shirts and sandals.  After a week or so back here I can say that we are happy to be back in our home.

Lawn sweeping

Ports of call

We stopped at three different ports while on the cruise. St Maarten was our favourite, this island is half French, half Dutch.  The beach was a short way from the ship and the shops were right behind the beach.  It had a real Caribbean feel with colorful buildings, music playing and a gorgeous beach.  We spent the whole day on the beach which was really relaxing.

The island of St Maarten

Ryder on the beach at St Maarten

Our second port was in the US Virgin Islands, St Thomas.  While this was lovely too we just didn't have the same good feeling like in St Maarten.  It was more expensive and it was 20 minute drive across to the other side of the island to get to Magen's Beach which was great but too crowded.

The third port was our last day on the cruise, Castaway Cay is an island in the Bahamas owned by Disney.  Again, we spent the day on the beach.  There was a water park and water slides for the kids and the water was a perfect temperature to stay in for ages.  We made the most of the beaches as this is something we really miss in Labrador City!

Busy beach at Castaway Cay

A photo opportunity!!

Cruisin’

The next two days were spent at sea.  Cooper enjoyed himself by playing Fooseball, swimming and spending time on the waterslide.  Ryder enjoyed the babies water play area and just being outside in the sun for a change.  Taylor went to learn how to draw Disney animations and we all watched a couple of 3D movies plus some other Disney classics on the big screen by the pool.  The pool snacks were hard to resist; pizza, tacos, burgers, fries, chicken strips plus some healthier options of salads, sliced fruit and delicious wraps.  The kids went to the kids club and nursery for a few hours while Steve and I relaxed by the adults only pool.

Looking off deck 10

All Aboard!!

We arrived at Port Canaveral, Florida just after lunchtime.  There were two ships in Port including our ship, the Disney Magic.  Check in was very smooth with the excellent service that was standard for the rest our cruise.  All my last minute panicking about whether we needed visas for the Caribbean islands we were visiting was allayed as he scanned our passports but then we came across a glitch, passport control had not stamped Taylor’s passport for the US.  We had a few tense moments as they checked this out, but since Taylor was under 18 and the other four passports were OK they allowed us to board, phew!

Disney Magic at Port Canaveral, Florida

We stepped on board the Disney Magic and they announced the Campbell Family!  The ship is described a modern classic with design features that you might imagine on the Titanic!  A gorgeous lobby with an atrium, wooden handrails, marble bathrooms.  Our room was roomy enough with a double bed, a couch, three fold-down beds, a split bathroom and a balcony.

Disney Magic Lobby and Atrium

We headed straight for the buffet lunch then out on deck for a look around, and a welcome drink of course!  We set sail just after 4pm when the ship sounded its horn with a Disney tune. 

The bow of the Disney Magic