So cold you could make ice cream outside!

We had the pleasure of a trip down to Niagara Falls last weekend and a visit with my great uncle David and Aunt Valerie, which was as lovely as always.

Along with the chance to escape the city for a weekend, we also took the chance to introduce them to possibly the best ice cream in the world.... despite the fact it was -12c (-22 wind chill) outside! Sometimes, only an ice cream will do!

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!

Let's all laugh at swansea, let's all laugh at swansea.......! He he!

Havant & Waterlooville 4 - 2 swansea!
If you haven't heard of Havant (he he!.. get it?!) then don't be surprised, not many people had either, but then that didn't stop them from beating dear old swansea city in a real FA Cup upset, and proves what the meaning of this tournament is in British football.

The fact it meant that those poor neighbours of ours from down the M4 miss out on a glamour trip to Liverpool in the next round, was just even more sweeter.

In other football news....
.. Just WHAT IS GOING ON AT NEWCASTLE?! First you sack your new manager after only 8 MONTHS, and THEN go and do THIS?!
I mean really..... have you learnt absolutely NOTHING since the last time about 5 years ago!

And finally, I must just say a well done to the mighty BLUEBIRDS for a very nice turn around in form since mid-December, and by all accounts we seem to be playing top-draw football and getting the results we deserve. (We also managed to negotiate our FA Cup banana-skin far more comfortably both on and off the pitch than those down west!) Keep up the hard work, and good luck boys.


Happy footballing days all!

More from Ottawa

The "Welcoming Party" outside the Senators home.


Ottawa raised, and Red Wing (and ice hockey) legend Steve Yzerman was honoured in a pre-season ceremony. A real treat seeing this guy and being able to recognise his talent and part in NHL history.



The Senators banners hung from the roof. On the far side, those from the original Senators team that last won the Stanley Cup in the 1920s.



The crowd get involved in some third period support for the team, passing a huge Senators banner over our heads around the stadium.


And here's what it looks like... sort of.

Stanley Cup preview?!

Saturday night in Canada means just one thing across the nation (and fortunately its not Ant and Dec being idiots!)... "Hockey Night in Canada". Its a national institution, and has been for about, well, the dawn of TV in Canada. Its the one time of the week where everyone in this hockey mad country gathers together and is watching the same hockey match.

Last Saturday there was only one game to be watching in Canada (in fact in the whole of the NHL), in Ottawa between the two top teams in the NHL, the hometown Senators and Detroit Red Wings. And with some fantastic twist of fate, I was lucky enough to be there thanks to Mr Brian, Sir (Amanda's Dad) and his friend Yvon. It was part of a great weekend up in the Capital, and a real highlight of my time here in Canada, along with so many others!



(Mr. Brian & Yvon enjoying the atmosphere at Scotiabank Place)

The first two periods weren't that interesting sadly as Detroit really didn't show up at all, but that allowed the Sens to take a two-nil lead making the home crowd (including myself pretty happy). But they couldn't make the most of all their possession and some excellent chances, including hitting the post three times and missing a wide open net as Hasek in Detroit's goal went walkabouts.

But the third period was electric, and showed how good these two teams are, as Detroit came out to play. As so often happens, those missed chances came back to hurt Ottawa, first the Red Wings were awarded a very debatable powerplay which they took advantage of after looking very ineffective on their first five opportunities. And then they equalised with 8 minutes to go! Would Ottawa do something so typical of the Toronto Maple Leafs and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?

The Sens however, came roaring back themselves, and captain Daniel Alfredsson capped of a man of the match performance with a fine goal from right below our position in the stands. The crowd erupted (along with me), and a few minutes later were happily leaving the arena and heading for a celebration in the nation's capital.

The only time these teams can meet again would be in the Stanley Cup finals. And what a series that would be if they did!



(Some of the atmosphere from Scotiabank Place.)

America 'votes'.... well... soon!

Tonight is the second of the US Presidential candidate nomination primaries. And if that makes any sense to you, then Well DONE! Basically, the two main US political parties (the 'evil Republican empire', and the 'slightly less evil but probably more inept at actually doing anything' Democrats) are now going around to three different states where voters then choose which candidate they want to run for the opportunity to replace Darth Vader,... ahem, sorry.... I mean't George 'Dubya' Bush, this time next year.

Since 'winning' the 're-election' in 2004, in a remarkably similar and dubious way to the first one in 2000, everyone seems to have given up on him doing anything productive at all, and basically treated him as a lame-duck President for the last three years.

So now apparently the whole of the USA is ready for a change in more ways than one, and the Democrats are hoping to capitalise on this. But just how much of America is ready for 'how much' of a change?

Two of the three leading Democrat candidates are an African American (Barak Obama) and a woman (Hilary Clinton). Its usually hard enough to get a Democrat into the White House in the first place, but if they really think that Middle America (and infact the South and most of the North too!) is ready for, let alone actually willingly WANTS either a Black or Female President, then I personally think they are, unfortunately, very sadly, hugely mistaken.

The prejudices that continue to exist in America (and lots of the rest of the 'Western World') are quite shocking and very long-lived, and won't be removed quickly or easily in 'one fell-swoop'. If either of these becomes the Democrat candidate, they are effectively closing the door to millions of potential voters, and probably sealing their defeat too. I wish this wasn't the way as I feel a few years under Obama would do the whole of American society the world of good, and bring it a new perspective on the world, but I suspect it will just result in 8 years of 'nice old traditional caucasian Republican' John McCain. Oh the joy!

Welcome to 2008!

Well the forecast was "all white", and that's how Toronto's New Year celebrations turned out.
Here's a small taste of the celebrations at Nathan Phillips Square infront of City Hall, right smack in the middle of downtown Toronto.

Ok, so its not quite Sydney, London, or Times Square in New York (and you'll have to turn your neck halfway through sorry!), but the snow floating down and being bundled up nice and warm really does add to the atmosphere here.

So... HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!