As we headed out to Mactaquac Park for our ski lesson the temperature this morning was a mild -7c and beautiful sunshine. Last week we were at Odell Park in Fredericton, I like the fact that they change venues, I can try different falling down techniques. Anyway we all had a great time working hard on the lesson.

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Jules and I were tango'ing last evening (Friday), there was a big class with lots of new people. Apparently we are now considered veteran dancers . We met up Bill and Christine, Maggie and Doug plus James and Norman. They have invited us to go out to dinner next Friday after the tango lesson. More socialising, if we keep this up I will need a social secretary to keep my calendar up to date. 

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Tonight is pub night we are expecting to meet up with about 20 others from the Newcomers club for a evening of laughs and fine beer. Tomorrow I have volunteered to act as a helper at the cross country skiing loppet (series of races). The weather looks good at about -8C and sunny, I'll get some photos and post them on here.

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I was invited to the Premier's "State of the Province" Address on Thursday and sat next to a Byron James who turned out to be the Deputy Minister of "Post Secondary education, Training and Labour".  Byron is a nice guy with a life full of civil service across all the departments in New Brunswick government. The premier (Shawn Graham) gave a good speech about the state of the Province and the successes and challenges we face. He announced, tax cuts plus lots of investments in infrastructure and education / training (Byron was happy).  Seems we are destined to be an energy hub for NE USA as new investment in tidal generation was announced plus a solar panel factory is going to start up this year. After the speech Shawn came round talking to people, shaking hands etc ... no sign of New Brunswicks Secret Service at all. It does seem weird the open access the politicians here give to the public. The premier walks to work most days.

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On the whole life is good here in 81 Garden View Drive, although xwave / aliant will be making some lay-off's in the next couple of weeks (I am not expecting any problems) so the job might be a little fraught over the next two weeks.