Blame Canada

I can finally see why Canadians put up with the five-month snowstorm they laughingly call ‘winter’. Their summers are absolutely incredible. It's not just the fact that the thermometer hasn't dipped below 30° these last two weeks. It's also the lush green surroundings, the expanses of sparkling water, and the countless fun things to do that make Canadian summers so legendary.

[Right: By Lake Ontario, where most people spend the summer]

Joe and I have been spending our weekends househunting in a local town called Grimsby. This, as I've probably mentioned, is a far cry from the stinky northern English fishing port that shares its name. It's nestled at the foot of the Niagara Escarpment, which is completely unmarked by roads or houses so it looks like there's a giant green tidal wave constantly about to engulf the town. There's a very old-fashioned feel about the place and everyone's really friendly. It's in the middle of miles and miles of peach orchards and vineyards, where you can pick your own fruit for not much money at all. And if it all gets a bit too twee, there's only a twenty minute drive to the nearest bar or cinema! Sorted!!

Hanging out in Grimsby when the sun is shining is pretty close to heaven. Between houses last weekend, we went and picked our own cherries and then ate them under some trees. I sat there in the dappled shade thinking how ludicrously sweet and juicy the cherries were, when Joe woke me from my stupor by deciding to have a pip-spitting contest in my direction. I ran around trying to avoid the projectiles, screaming and laughing. It was the happiest I'd been in ages.

[Left: vineyard with escarpment in background. Paradise.]

I've already banged on about the value of houses in Canada, so I won't bore you any more. But just have a quick look at this one (for the price of a one-bedroom flat in central London...) http://www.venturehomes.ca/ShowTour.asp?TourID=2743

So weekends have been pretty great lately. Which makes weekdays in Hamilton seem all the more depressing. There's no greenery here. No fruit trees. No small-town feel. Just decaying buildings, and fumes from the steel factories, and every other person you walk past a reminder of the grinding poverty that blights the place (I'm having a creative writing day - can you tell?). I would seriously say, though, that at least one in four of the people I walk past is on alcohol or drugs, stricken by poverty or homelessness, physically or mentally disabled, or morbidly obese.


[Right: some of the many decaying buildings in the city centre]

It was all starting to get me a bit down. It didn't really help that I was getting seriously bored. So I decided to kill two birds with one stone and volunteer at the local homeless shelter. I've only done one morning so far, so I've yet to see how it goes, but I'll keep you posted. As promised, I've also applied for a job at a local convenience store. Aiming high!!! (Oh well, it’s only part time so I can still do freelance stuff).

[Left: breakfast at the shelter. This is the main thing I'll be helping with]

Another thing I wanted to mention was the Canadian response to everything that happened in London. Whenever I speak to anyone (whether or not I know them), they say to me: “Oh, you're British? I'm really sorry about the bombings in London. Did you know anyone there?” The fact that complete strangers would inquire after my family and friends is something I find really touching. On top of that, every single official building I've walked or driven past has had its flag at half-mast. When you realise the country you've moved to is showing solidarity with the country you've left, it gives you a really warm feeling inside.

Anyway, enough of the slush. I keep saying to myself that I'm going to update this blog more often with briefer entries, so I'll try to do that starting this week. If you don't see anything in the next couple of days, give me a swift kick in the butt by email. Thanks!