canada

I'd (Colin) spent a year unemployed after finally qualifying as an Architect, Ivan wanted a break from running his Architectural Practice and Brant needed to re-charge his batteries after studying for his PhD so the idea of spending a fortnight away from these pressures was appealing

New Year in Canada with Brant's family beckoned and we (Brant, Ivan, Blonad, Sarah and I) followed...

After landing in Halifax, Nova Scotia we drove via Fredericton to the Arseneau family home in Saint John, New Brunswick in 'The Maritimes' in Eastern Canada

Our stay was with Brant's Dad Frank, and his brothers Rob and Bradley. The welcome we were (continually) given throughout our trip
was fantastic, and our time spent in the

company of the extended Arseneau family and friends is still remembered with huge affection and warmth. Thank-you!

Whilst the photographs in the gallery do some justice to our trip, other notable highlights for me also include breaking several ribs whilst snow-boarding at night, wearing a kilt to the New Year Party at Brant's Mum's Country Bar, running back to the cars after the ice-hockey game in a temperature of -36 degrees (with my broken ribs), seeing a Saint John Flames (now defunct) hockey game, getting lost snow-shoeing, 'discovering' Stompin' Tom Connors, realising why Country Music is so good, the doughnut range available at Tim Hortons, doughnut holes, eating freshly-from-the-fire Indian bread at a hunting camp and a household drinks bill of $2,500 for our 12 day stay. My only regret was not being able to stay.

check out the sequence of images in the links below (ave 20k)