18th August 2007

Had a hectic day yesterday getting things ready for Sue and the boys. Arranged all the utility accounts, phone gets connected on Tuesday bought basic stuff for kitchen, air beds and blankets. Had the chance to go to Grunthal last night where there was the annual AG Fair which included a rodeo.

16th August 2007

Went down empty to Thief River Falls, Minesota to collect 28 Arctic Cat snow mobiles. Got loaded by 11.45 and ran back to the yard and dropped the trailer.

Collected the keys for our new house from the realtor and went round to check things out, everything looking good.
Sue and the boys arrive on Monday and I am off now till 27th.

15th August 2007

Had all my deliveries off by 12.30 Monday and sent satellite to Chad but no reload till Tuesday morning.
Seen this hawk at my last delivery, it was obviously in some distress and no it wasn't me that hit it.
Tuesday morning loaded 15 pallets of shingles (Canadian equivalent of roof tiles) for delivery Wednesday morning at Glenella Mb. Tipped Wednesday and down to Brandon to reload back to Steinbach. Going to Thief River Falls Mn, USA tomorrow.

12th August 2007

Done 2 collections on Friday afternoon, 13 pallets of steel forgings and 4 pallets of monumental granite giving me 3 deliveries in Edmonton on Monday. Decided to leave Steinbach first thing Saturday morning, nothing to stay around for until next week. Made Edmonton Sunday afternoon and got a good internet connection. Caught up with my emails and was able to speak to Sue and the boys and got to talk to my Mum and Dad (get those flights booked and stay as long as you want). Should be an interesting day tomorrow, both deliveries of granite are going to memorial gardens.

9th August 2007

Set out on my first trip on Sunday. Up to Brandon, Mb and pick up a loaded trailer, strap and tarp it and on my way. It took 2 of us 5 hours to sort out my load above, then off we went both heading for Edmonton, Ab to deliver Tuesday morning. A fairly uneventful trip, a couple of close calls with deer but none hit. Tipped Tuesday morning and got satellite message for next load. A full load of lumber to be collected at Iron River, Ab, 3 hours away. Got loaded Tuesday afternoon for Selkirk, Mb to deliver Thursday morning. All done and then back to the yard. Went to see the lawyer and sign for the house. No loads leaving till tomorrow, see Chad at 0900 tomorrow.

2nd August 2007

Finished orientation today and got signed onto my truck. Also got issued with all the equipment needed to pull most loads on a flat deck, even got issued with air fresheners and polish for inside the cab which they will replace when used. Going back in tomorrow morning to see Chad (my dispatcher) and hopefully will be leaving on my first trip in the afternoon. No idea where I will be going yet but BFS cover the area in the map above. I will probably be kept in Canada for the first couple of loads then head of into the states.

28th July 2007

Eventually bought my car yesterday (above) and then bumped into "Bob The Dog", another Brit that works for BFS. He invited Mark and I to a barbeque at his house, Mark arrived in Canada the week after me.
So we went to the bbq and had a great night. Mal & Bev (my current landlords) have invited friends round tonight and asked me to stay, there will be a few BFS drivers and wives coming so should be a good night.
Signed more papers for the house today and everything is on schedule for 15th August posession.

26th July 2007

Been to Brandon, Mb for a couple of days and went over the road training with Gilbert. We managed to get through 15 deliveries in 2 days in south Manitoba (Mb). Used the tractor and trailer above. A lot of the deliveries are just made at the side of the road like the one above in St. Claude opposite the big pipe. Off now till I start orientation on Monday. still need to buy a car.

23rd July 2007

There has been a change of plan and I will only be doing orientation next week. They are going to send me to Brandon for a couple of days shunting trailers back to Steinbach. Got allocated my truck today (above), put all my bedding in and bought a cb ready to hit the road now.

20th July 2007

Things didn't quite go my way on Thursday and I failed my class 1 driven test but I did pass the air brake so that was something less to worry about next time. Test dates were few and far between next one being 31st July. Went looking at more houses and have found one that we all like (above). Went into the yard Friday morning to see if we could get any test cancellations, we did, 2.00 in the afternoon at Portage La Prairie 2 hours away. So up to Portage with Jason, my trainer, and came back with my class 1 licence. I was so happy. Next week it's orientation.

Also met with Wes, my realtor, and put in a formal offer on the house. Just got to wait and see if its accepted and if so then its ours, as easy as that.

UPDATE: Put the offer in at 19.30 and we knew by 20.10 the house was ours subject to mortgage approval. Date of possession is 15th August.

18th July 2007

Thought it was about time I updated this while I have a little time. My head is going round in circles and my feet still haven't touched the floor since I arrived last week. Training ready for my Class 1 test, house hunting, seeing realtor's, mortgage advisers, banks, I don't know whether I am coming or going. Plenty of houses on the market but it's finding one that is suitable. The one in the pic is one I seen on Tuesday but the basement isn't completely finished so still needs working on.

Sale of our house in England was completed on Tuesday and money in the bank, now I can buy a car and house hunt in earnest. They reckon when I find a house you can move in within 3 or 4 weeks.

What I wasn't prepared for was how much I would miss Sue and the boys. It was a big decision to leave all our families and I miss them all but I have only been gone 1 1/2 weeks and finding it tough without them. The sooner I find somewhere for us to live the sooner I can get them over with me. Gary has been a star and helped his mum with everything, even taking time off work to do it. They are now staying at Sue's dads in a 2 bedroom flat with the dog.

Driving test tomorrow and I think I am about ready so, here goes!!!!

13 July 2007

Wow, what a hectic week. Just about getting over the jet lag now. Arrived on Monday night about 1 1/2 hours late. Eric was waiting for me once I had been through immigration and got my work permit. By Thursday I had already passed my air brake and class 1 written tests and started practical training. The air brake practical is a bit confusing to start with but is making a bit more sense now.
Renting a room in the basement of a british couples house till I can find somewhere to buy. Also had to hire a car for a week. House sale should be completed by next week.

The truck in the pic is the one I am currently using for training.

8th July 2007

Last night was a family "BBQ" to say goodbye and wish us well. BBQ never even made it out of the shed because of the rain the last few days. The Chinese meal that got delivered was just as good. Relatives even came over from York (thanks Auntie Liz & Uncle Rob, sorry you weren't there Caz but we understand.), they will love me for that. Had a great time but also one of the saddest I have ever had to go through. There were PowerPoint slide shows, poems that took 3 people to read in floods of tears (not a good pic but can send you copy by email if you let me know), videos going back 11 years, specially compiled music cd's, champagne cake, banners, balloons, the whole works.

SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR THE FAMILY

I am not going to say this again but none of you are getting invited to come and see us in Canada. Is that clear enough? You never needed an invite to see us before so why would you need one now. You tell us when you are coming and how long for, no invites.

7th July 2007

A couple of friends that I used to work with at P&O came over last night and we had a few jars in the local pub. Its not the ones in the photo but it was the only photo from P&O that I could find. Thanks for coming over it was great to see you.

6th July 2007

A very emotional night last night at my last meeting as WM of LOL66. An unexpected visit from a close friend with some moving speeches and then presented with my PM Jewel by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of England Bro. Bather. Hope you all have a great 12th July.

Went to the soilcitors and signed contracts for the house, aiming for completion on 18th July

5th July 2007

Got the final quotes back for the shipping of the dog to Canada, aaarrrggghhh, its costing more for him than it is for the tickets for the rest of the family.

4th July 2007

Almost sorted now, shipping company is collecting our wordly possessions on 18th July, not a lot to show for 44 years. Such a wasteful time, we have sold, given away and binned most of our stuff.

30th June 2007

Got a good send off from some very special friends. Not going to start naming them all but they know who they are, thanks guys it wont be the last you see of me and every one of you are welcome to come and visit. No surrender. OZO

29th June 2007

Started packing in earnest now. House is a complete tip but we need to get a shipping list done ready for the shippers to collect. Need to speak to them next week to discuss a shipping date.

Finished work today, was quite a sad day as I actually enjoyed working there (sad I know). Was told that I could go back at any time.

28th June 2007

Started selling our furniture now, as you can see emptied my truck and brought everything home to find I was sitting on camping chairs. Ok but not for long.

27th June 2007

Sold sign was put up outside house today. The solicitor still reckons we can have the contracts signed next week before I leave. Just proves it can be done.

26th June 2007

Booked my flights today, flying from Manchester to Gatwick and Gatwick to Winnipeg. Spoke to Eric and the driver got his work permit without any trouble at Winnipeg airport.

25th June 2007

Handed in my resignation today and officially finish on Friday. That will give me one week at home to sort out as much as I can before leaving for Canada.

23rd June 2007

Phoned Eric last night but there may be a last minute hitch to the plans. Work visas have normally been issued from London but that is now taking another 6-8 weeks. A visa can also be issued at the airport but as Big freight (will now be known as BFS) have never done it this way he wants me to delay booking the flights in case there are any problems. Another driver will be arriving Monday evening so I will phone Eric on Tuesday and if everything has gone ok book my flights for the 9th.
We had the surveyor out yesterday who said the buyers building society would have the report within the hour. Modern technology!!!!!

19th June 2007

Got a phone call from Eric at Big Freight today and he has received our successful application back from Manitoba immigration. He would like me to fly out on 9th July but I need to phone him Friday to discuss.

17th June 2007

John & Vicky came back to view the house and are very interested. We discussed what could be included in the price and how soon we could vacate as they need to be in before 01/08/07. Suits us fine and fits in perfectly with our plans. They will let us know as soon as they have discussed it. Fingers crossed.
John called me at 16.45 and made an offer on the house, discussed it with Sue then called John back and negotiated.
They are really keen to get in asap.

16th June 2007

Had a couple round to view the house today but not sure if they were interested or not, difficult to tell.
Went to Burnly to meet Mark & Sue (Wire) who are also going to Canada to work for Big Freight. Had a great time and have so much in common. Mark and I are planning on going to Canada to start work at the same time.
Got home to find a message from the estate agent, they are interested in buying the house but want a second viewing. There was also a note through the door from John & Vicky (the potential buyers) with contact numbers. Called them at 22.00 and arranged for them to come back at 09.00 17/06/07

6th June 2007

Got email from Big Freight today to let us know that our PNP Application has been accepted. They are now looking at us arriving beginning of July but still need to sell the house (above).

1st June 2007

Another full weekend off from work. Sent a few enquiries away to companies who buy your house from you. Hope to hear more from them next week.

28th May 2007

Got an email from Christine today to say that they were almost 100% sure that all PNP applications to immigration had been successful and that we should hear something in the next week or two.

House still isn't sold and as my sister is still having problems selling hers (was interested in buying ours) we have decided to drop the price for quick sale. Hope we have more luck.

Decision Made

Back in January my wife, eldest son and myself made a research trip to Canada and decided that was where we wanted to make a new life for ourselves along with our other son. It was then that we had a number of interviews and decided that a job with "Big Freight Systems" was for me.

The move will involve me, Dave, Sue my wife, Gary (22) and Craig (15) along with our German shepherd dog Zack.

This blog will follow our exploits as both a form of communication with family and friends and as a reminder and diary for us.

The pic is Big Freight's terminal in Steinbach, Manitoba.