Hi Novocastrian

It nice to be back in the UK compared to the winter we had in the Ottawa Valley. We live just outside Dover and today in my garden it was 15C. I managed to stain one of my garden sheds. The wife sat in the sun on our south facing patio in a t-shirt.

hudd

I know exactly where you're coming from. It was winter last year that did it for me and finally made up my mind. Snow on the ground from October to June and constant double-figure minus temperatures. Much milder this year generally than last, but too little too late for me.

Hi hudd,

I remember you, I think you lived in Pembroke? I have friends in Deep River and know that the winters up there are much more severe than here in the GTA.

Our -25C (-39 with windchill) today is an exceptionally cold one for us, but nonetheless when you start feeling your age a bit, the winters in Ontario are simply not conducive to normal human living.

We'll be splitting our time between Normandy and the UK from July on.

Novocastrian

Yes we lived in Pembroke. Deep River is where some of my friends still live.
Winters were too long in Ontario for us. I found February the hardest winter month. I did liked end of August to early October in the Ottawa Valley.
I like being outside when not at work and found in England you can be out most of the year in the garden or in the countryside. Living both in France and the UK seems a good retirement life style.

We are looking to stay in England when we retire, but looking to move the East Midlands to buy an acreage with a country home in the next few years. so I can have a hobby farm/workshops. I just looking for a new role for the next 15 years until I can retire.

hudd

Were you associated with AECL?

Novocastrian

I worked for AECL as an Operation Manager. I liked the job/people, but unfortunately it was 5500km away from our family in the UK. We went back to be near our family and schooling for our sons.

hudd

Fair enough. Most of the folk in Deep River work there too (including my long time friend). He's been there for 22 years now and I think intends to stay after retirement. Yes, he's mad.

I returned to the UK, just over 2 years ago, after 30+ years in Canada (mainly Calgary). I love the climate here and also that I can enjoy the garden year round vs. a short season in Alberta.

lf1
We lived in Calgary 1997 and then Hanna AB until 1999. I was amazed that there was no real spring in AB. I had the dream of buying an acreage, but really did not appreciate the long winters and short growing season. I now spend many weekends in the garden or greenhouse when it been dry/mild in the winter. I have managed to prune all the fruit trees, coppice a large willow and done some landscaping already this winter.

hudd

You wouldn't believe what a ghost town Hanna is now.

It's a scary thing relying on the Canadian / GBP exchange rate as regards pension transfer. I decided the risk was not worth it after 23 years in Canada and yes, with a British Pension. Any news on whether the U.K. Government will change their mind on indexation (Hope it is appropriate to ask this question here)

Welcome to BE. That question comes up regularly over in the Canada section of this site. The consensus is there's not a chance in hell of indexation in the foreseeable future.