Northern Exposure: Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

It's currently -17 here, and it's midday.

We've had a lot of snowfall over the past week. On Monday I cycled to Wing Chun and nearly froze to the bike. I went down the alleys that run down the middle of each block, they had a lot of packed snow on them but at least there was no traffic, so it was safer. I did skid around a bit, mind you.

We've found a tea shop just around the corner called Cargo and James. It's very good there - we still have some PG Tips here, but they do some really strange, exotic teas. I had some Monks Tea the other day, which Sophia thought smelt like marshmallows. It was very nice – first time I've really drunk a black tea with no milk or sugar (I have PG Tips with milk, and Earl Grey with sugar, etc.).

Last Friday we went to a local Irish pub – O'Byrnes. On Fridays they have an all you can eat fish and chips. I had the one plate, mind you. If only the chips were real chips, rather than fries, it would be perfect. Still, the guinness there is good, and they do lots of other nice beers and ales.

Next week I take my Wing Chun exam, hopefully I'll get to yellow belt. I'm really looking forward to it, I've been going for quite a while but due to things like our furniture arriving and me damaging my foot I haven't been able to go as much as required. Oh, and it's not that we won't go somewhere that doesn't have a web site, it's more like everywhere around here has one. :)

Oh, that's right - our furniture arrived a few weeks ago. I can't tell you how good it is to be sleeping on a bed again, rather than on the (fantastic, magical, but not very supportive over 2 months) self-inflating mattress. We've got all our stuff in place now, just about. I'm waiting for a claim form from the movers - they damaged a number of items that they packed themselves.

Not that bad considering the distance, and we're most upset about the sake cup, because it was part of a set. We're sure they can fix the divan drawer, too. The other thing I'm waiting on is the Canadian movers appearing again to remove all the boxes the stuff came in - I've flat packed 'em all, and asked them two weeks ago, but still nothing. Plus, now it's snowing. Well, more fool them.

The owners of the basement suite we're renting had two of the rooms carpeted. The computer room feels much nicer, and the back bedroom is now also carpeted. This means the only rooms NOT covered are the kitchen, hall and bathroom. Feels a lot more cozy now. When we've got everything settled, we'll take a few pics to bore you silly. Oh, the larger of the two bedrooms (which was just carpeted) is Sophia's Dressing Room. We have the bed in the smaller room, as it's more cozy and gets better light in the morning.

Our house in England is now rented. A single tenant has moved in, yay! I think that's about all - I must do these little updates more often.