Expedition Canada

Remembrance Day in Canada Mon Nov 14th  Remembrance Day is a Federal holiday in Canada , which means schools and other public services are closed.  Some businesses shut for the day as well.  The ceremony around the two minute silence is very similar to the UK with one exception, young people appear much more involved in the day's activities.   In Vancouver , a youth choir was part of the act of Remembrance.  The winner of a school Remembrance Day poem competition read their poem as part of the service.  I can't think of a better way of engaging tomorrow's beneficiaries in the sacrifice of those who went before us and who brought about the freedom we enjoy today, than by involving them in these events.   Despite recent rainfall, our drought continues and the Emergency Order has been extended.  Businesses that use water as part of their activities had a reprieve after the deluge and were allowed to restart water use, but have now had the b...

Remembrance Day 11/11 Sun Nov 14th  Canadian Remembrance Day this year represents 100 years since Canada first recognized the end of WWI on November 11, 1921.   Snow on the local peaks The diversity and pluralist nature of Canadian gives it a different feel compared with the UK. November 11th is a public holiday for federal employees.  Public offices and schools close.  Many small businesses are also shut, though not the national chains.    The Canadian Legion, the equivalent of the UK's British Legion, has a major role and individual groups such as the First Nations, Sikhs and Punjabis honour the day. It feels as though they get better coverage than in the UK.  Canadian Poppies, which are a different style to the UK, are evident but perhaps not quite so prominent, except on TV.  The only common feature is that the pin is just as useless at keeping a poppy in place!  My Nikon nightmare started when I sent my camera body and the lar...