To flip things around a bit.....

My aged parents are visiting us next week for their first winter trip to Canada. Mother informed me a couple of weeks ago that she'd gone and bought thermal long-johns to stay warm. I reminded her that we do, indeed, have central heating in Canada.

What, outside?

Its bloody freezing in Vancouver today. If I had long johns I'd be wearing them today.

It's -1 in Vancouver, you big girl's blouse.

If she's anything like my mum she will need them indoors too. My mum isn't comfortable unless the temp is around 80F. She can find a draft anywhere too.

Yes, it's called the Alberta tar-sands.

But its a damp cold

Or, as it is also known, "poof cold".

I suppose for you lot out east, a poof is somebody who owns a coat.

You are mixing up your foibles.

well said. its -26, -30 with the windchill here at the moment. my girl has just walked home from school. so maybe a small girls blouse is more appropriate.

When I was a kid, friends of my Canadian cousins would ask me if we had a break at school each afternoon for afternoon tea.

I've been amazed at some of the things I've been asked. My Canadian wife was led to believe London was permanently fogbound.

does she wear glasses by any chance? I'm trying to work out whether my glasses wearing 6yo is better off walking to school in no glasses (and therefore with compromised eyesight lol) or being the weirdy brit wearing ski goggles....?

either that or I have to rig up some form of battery powered block heater affair she can wear under her hat... either way at the moment she can't see with her glasses on...

My only other alternative is to stop her breathing out, which seems a bit harsh...

Answers on a postcard...

no one wears ski goggles i have seen.

hmm, condensation here obviously the problem. there are a few solutions to stop eye wear fogging in this manner. spit is one. fairy liquid is the other.

if you could get oink to spit on them you would cover both at once. ddrrrrrrummmmmmm tish!! i'm here all week, try the veal.

freezing point of fairy v drool?