We started this morning with the most hopeful signs of things to come. By the time I went for my usual 10 am walk, it was so warm (+ 9 celsius) that I debated even wearing a jacket. I decided to wear a wind shell over a sweater, but even that was tied at my waist by the time I was only about 2 blocks out. Even the wind was gentle and warm.
At long last, the dreaded white dump of December 12 was nearly gone, with only the deepest and most glaciated or sun sheltered patches clinging to their hold on our should be "northern snowbird haven".
I was duped!!!
By 2 pm the clouds started to accumulate, and the temperature cooled rather quickly, but it was still springish. By 3 it was definitely an ominous sky, and by 3:30, the use of four letter words were unavoidable.
Snow ........................ Hail ........................... Cold ................................ Wind
(See how high the drift is? The only reason the path is clear is that I shoveled it)
I know the use of 4 letter words is inappropriate for net pages, but what can you do??
By supper time, we had to put the dog out on an unavoidable business trip, and already, there was a 2 to 3 inch accumulation in the yard. Worse still, I took out the shovel to push enough aside to create a path for his duties, and found a snow drift that was closer to a foot deep.
We had a white-out blizzard, and here we are on the brink of March. Yet again, the locals tell how this is unprecedented weather we are having. (One does tire of hearing that when in relation to the down side of the forecasts.....)
How cruel a trick to put on the weather weary soles of the Canadian escaping winter while remaining in country.
However, even now I say that if you do stay in Canada for snowbirding, the South Okanagan is the most logical. It is half the cost of the Lower Mainland or Vancouver Island, and we still fared better overall than they did during the worst of it, and far far better than staying in other regions not so kind in climate.
Adieu.
I'm not sure that I agree that the Okanagan is better value than the Lower Mainland. Yes, they did get a lot of snow this winter, but since I've been here, the weather has been considerably better than what you've gotten. Rent might be nearly double, but heating and electricity costs are way down. Gas and groceries are also considerably cheaper (as is laundry *g*).
ReplyDeleteAs I haven't actually landed the rig in the Lower Mainland, and haven't dealt with living expenses, I will have to concede judgement without an experience base.
ReplyDeleteLocals would argue that, as we were both told, "We never get weather like this" so I really wouldn't know what the costs "usually" would be.
You are right though, fuel is definitely anywhere from 5 to 10 cents cheaper per litre or more on the Lower Mainland.
Thanks for the balance of prospective. :-)