Weavers Visit and Chuckwagon Racing - June 2010

Kathy and Michael came to stay with us for a few days whilst holidaying in Canada. They arrived on Friday 11th and from the moment they arrived were mauled by both Holly and Amy, well Auntie Kathy was! I had been busy baking chocolate brownies and shortbread in preparation for their stay only to find out Michael was on a diet. He did however become a little partial to my shortbread. On Saturday I took Kathy and the girls to Echodale park, which is an oasis in the middle of nowhere with a man-made lake, cycle paths and walking trails. Michael stayed at home to watch the football with a very tired Stuart who had returned home at 4am that morning from a night on the prairie. I had not planned for the girls to go in the water and had not packed their costumes, but the temptation was too great and they ended up in just their knickers playing in the lake. Kathy and I just watched whilst catching some "rays"! Later that evening we had a BBQ and for the first time this year sat outside to eat.

On Sunday I decided to do a bit of targeted site seeing and shopping. I knew Kathy wanted a pashmina so I took her to Winners (Canadian up market version of TKMax). We then had a picnic by the river at Strathcona Park before going Chuckwagon racing at the Stampede ground. Chuckwagon racing is a popular western sport. Each race has 3 wagons each consisting of 2 drivers, 4 horses, a wagon and 2 out-riders. They line up and on the sound of the horn the barrel is thrown into the back of the wagon and the driver has to turn the horses around a marker and thunder round a half mile track chased by their out-riders. The girls enjoyed choosing a wagon (largely chosen by which wagon looked the prettiest) and cheering them on. Holly would usually change her mind once the race had started once she had seen who was in the lead! It was a very enjoyable day finished off with an ice-cream at the local ice-cream parlour.

Kathy and Michael left early on the Monday morning destined for Calgary to pick up an RV. Holly, bless her, was distraught at Auntie Kathy leaving and cried for a good hour.