The two days before March break did turn into snow days so the kids got an extended holiday. It was a good job as one of the pigs started to give birth on the Friday so they were on hand to look after the piglets when they got cold. I came home from work to find a washing basket of tiny piglets in front of the fire, after a dose of honey and a nice warm up they were soon running round the kitchen!
We were set to go on holiday on the Saturday but with all the commotion on the farm which included another pig giving birth we didn't actually leave till 2.30pm, the rain and snow as we crossed the top of the United States made the journey slow and we eventually reached our motel at 12.30am. The next day the weather was much better so we could make up some of the time, we crossed back into Canada at Niagara and stopped to see the falls with ice coming over them and for a much needed spot of late lunch and a walk.
We eventually arrived at David and Sarah's in Grand Rapids, Michigan at 10pm a total of 19 1/2 hours of driving later. We had a lovely few days with them chilling, doing walks, visiting Lake Michigan, a museum and eating out. The weather was lovely and sunny and while we were there lots of their snow melted which was a treat for us to see some grass.
While we were enjoying the break our farm sitters were coping with another pig giving birth and not everything going to plan down on the farm, the pigs got stressed, piglets got cold and the snow kept falling, geese went for walk about, all in all it was a very difficult week for them but they did a fantastic job of holding the fort.
On the Wednesday while we were away David got a call from work asking him to go to Orlando the following week, he booked his tickets and was all set for travelling early on the Monday morning for 3 days. He got another call from work on the Friday afternoon asking if he'd mind changing his plans and instead going to Leeds for the week! He didn't hesitate to change all his plans and re-book his flights to the UK. As this was a very last minute trip and we thought it would be good to surprise family and friends we didn't let on to what was happening.
Early on the Saturday morning we drove 13 hours to Quebec City where we had a hotel booked, then after a 3 1/2 hour sleep we continued our journey and drove our last 6 hours, losing 1 hour for time change and 1 hour for daylight saving time. We got home in time for lunch, repacking his bag, cutting wood for the week and a haircut and got him on the 6pm flight out of Fredericton to Montreal, Brussels and then Leeds.
He had a fantastic week surprising his mum and dad and taking them for a 45th wedding anniversary meal, eating lots of fish n chips and takeaways! He popped in on friends and family in Whitby too where he went for the weekend. His journey home wasn't so smooth with a small amount of snow (approx 1/2") causing 3 hour delays in Leeds meant he missed his connecting flights so had to stay an extra 24 hours in Brussels. He landed in Montreal in a huge snowstorm (about 1') and had a 1 hour delay while they deiced his plane to Fredericton. He got in just before the storm hit us on Tuesday/Wednesday giving the kids another snow day and covering the grass that had just started to appear.
Harriet had her Stem Expo exhibition last week and won 1st prize in grade 7 for her investigation into the sugar content of 'healthy' drinks.
Isaac has started his practical driving lessons before his test next month. He has tapped all the maple trees around and is busy making maple syrup.
I am trying to get our tax returns sorted which is not a fun job and I will certainly feel much better when it's done.
Niagara Falls in the winter
The Laver's enjoying the bracing air in Niagara!
All you can eat buffet...mmmmmm
This is Pinky, Perky & Elvis our house piglets which we are currently bottle feeding, rather cute but smelly!
Lake Michigan
