I guess I should start from the beginning.
In December ’06, my OH asked me “how would you feel about moving to another Country?”, in my mind I was thinking it is one of his mad ideas, nothing will come of it. But still I asked him “Where?”, he replied “Canada”. “Mmmm, a place to live by the Rocky Mountains”, still thinking yeah, but it’s a pipedream and will never happen. My OH enquired about a job at a Canadian company in Alberta Canada.

January ’07, a large thick envelope arrives in the post, post marked Alberta, Canada. It was from a company who hire Truck Drivers from Britain. We both looked through all the literature about the company, looked at the useful Canadian websites for houses, etc that the company had included in their information pack they sent us, and he made some more enquiries about what it would involve. Me, I still didn’t get excited, my OH had looked at other companies and jobs before, but always decided against it after some thought. So I just thought this was just like those other occasions and was never going to happen so why worry about it. We never said anything to friends and family.

February ’08, we went away on a large family holiday for two weeks, got to spend time with my step-brother of 15 years and his family, all of which who I hardly knew. We mentioned the Canada thing once, basically saying we and made some enquiries about it and that was it. We arrived home on 25th Feb, jet lagged, opened the mail, there was a from the Canadian company, say OH had an interview in London on March 2nd 2007. Please bring your accompanying family members.:That is when we decided, to tell friends and family about the possibility of moving to Canada. Me, I still thought it wouldn’t happen, as it all depended on if my OH fitted there criteria and was what the company were looking for.

2nd March ’07, Up early and drove to London for the interview, very long chat with the company recruiter and the immigration advisor the company use. We all asked lots of questions (pro’s and Cons) and gave our opinions, at the end of the interview we were told, by the recruiter “We would like to offer you the job, if you would still like to go ahead” My OH and I both agreed there and then “Yes” The recruiter asked “When could he start?” My reply “as soon as we have sold the house” we left the interview, sat outside in the car in disbelief “Oh My Gosh!!! We’re moving to Canada!! Oh My Gosh!!! it’s going to be the hardest thing we have ever done!!!
From that point on it was a complete whirlwind.

March and April ’07, Various estate agents came to value and quote our house, the house went on the market at the end of March and sold (within 3 days) a lot quicker than we expected. Started selling, giving away and donating everything in the house apart from the clothes we were taking with us and four suitcases.

My OH arrived in Calgary at the beginning of June ’07 through the PNP, I stayed behind in the UK for 6 weeks to finish off my study in childcare, I followed on, in late July ‘07.

A rollercoaster of emotions,
Saying goodbye to very good friends and family, including our daughter and at the time our only grandchild. Missing my OH who had already left for Canada. Looking forward to moving to Canada, but at the same time very scared and anxious. Always questioning myself, Do I get on the plane to Canada? Why leave good friends and family behind, I don’t know anyone there? What happens if it doesn’t work for one of us, and one of us want to return to the UK? Am I mad to leave everything I know behind, and go to a country I had never been before and know absolutely no-one? Being my elderly grandmothers primary carer for years, passing and trusting that responsibility to other family members was very hard. If she could survive the flight, she would be coming with me to Canada to live!! Goodbye parties, tears of sadness, good luck and well wishes.
Departure day early morning, friends and family came to wave goodbye!! Arrive at the airport, there is a problem with the plane, no other planes available, 24 hours later I board the plane, another 2 hour delay due to weather, OH thinks my friends have talked me out of going to Canada!!! The plane is finally allowed to take off all be it 26 hours late, All the time thinking to myself Have I made the right decision?. I send OH a text message whilst the plane is taxiing, C U in Calgary, 2pm!! Oh My Gosh Im on way, leaving my old way of life and everything I know behind, I feel frightened, but at the same time exited.

Canada
I land at Calgary, text my OH to say I have arrived, Im just parking the plane, lol, as the plane docks. Passport control and Immigration only took 15mins to get my visa. Very pleased to see pleased to see each other.
First impressions (over the weeks), huge place, big cities, but quiet highways from city to city. The Rockie Mountains are “awesome”. Where we live now, people are very nice and friendly, the pace of life here is slower than the UK, very clean, more family orientated and a safe place to live. Driving on the right side of the road took some getting use to, as does the overtaking, undertaking and turning right on red lights too. My OH settled in quicker than me, he still sees Canada as a big adventure (busmans holiday), he fell in love with Canada, from the get go. Through his job he gets around Canada and the USA a lot.
My biggest problem was the feeling of isolation, in the UK I had a large circle of friends and family, a job where I worked upto 50 hours a week, to no family, friends or job (due to visa restrictions), I would have days where I was happy with my own company (decorating the house, etc) and other days where I would cry, partly because I felt alone, I didn’t fit in, or lost and overwhelmed here in Canada.
October ‘07, My OH stayed in Canada working, whilst I went back to the UK for 3 weeks, to be at the birth of our grandchild, to see friends and family, also to think about my time in Canada and tie up lose ends. Its was nice to be back in the UK, visiting friends and family spending quality time with them, seeing familiar places, but to my surprise it just didn’t feel like home anymore.

Since November ‘07, I have returned to Canada, bringing my two dogs back with me. Reality has now set in, I have nearly completed decorating the house, made some new friends, English and Scottish (Expats) and some Canadian. I am still getting used to the rules of the road, but at least I am getting there, out and about. I have survived my first Canadian winter (- 44 degrees at times), attended an Ice hockey match GO CANES GO!!!. My OH is still enjoying Canada and his job, I volunteer at a local health centre 3 days a week, which I love and gives me some Canadian work experience. I will soon have my work permit, to work or retrain for a job in healthcare.

Future
We still miss friends and family and that will never change. Since making our decision to move to Canada, we have had our ups, downs and wobbles and we will probably have a few more wobbles along the way. It is the hardest decision we have ever made and the hardest thing to do, but has made us stronger, We (my OH and I) have decided to stay here in Canada, we have started living the pipedream and we can see the Rockie Mountains from where we live. we love it!!!
Lethbridge for us is home now!!

Shazza 151

and very best wishes to you both for the future too

Well done! ... but you know, it's not really a pipe-dream cos you're doing it!

Thanks for posting, shazza151, I really enjoyed reading your story. All the best for your new life here in Canada!

Cheers

Oggy

Hi.. just popped in from the US forum - really enjoyed your story - and can relate to alot of it. It was a great post - hope your life continues to be a happy one there.. Best wishes!

Great post shazza151

i feel like that in the uk at the moment and knowing that we have to sell the house and then become homeless with three kids is the hardest bit.

I am so glad you have settled in lethbridge, what a fab place it is

Gill

What was once a pipe dream is now reality.

Well done shazza151

Wishing you all many happy years here.
Thanks for sharing your experience
Yoong

Hi Shazza

What a great read ,thanks for sharing your experiances all the very best for your new life in Lethbridge

I'm glad you've settled in - good luck for the future