Leaving do, and Reindeer poo!

Well, I've been a busy bee lately.

We went to meet Tony T and his wife Jill (pictured on the left) on Sunday, they had been to Leeds for the New Zealand Expo, so we met them at Frankie and Benny's in Birstal for a drink afterwards.
It was good to meet them and we talked about what they are deciding to do in the future , and about us going to Canada. Tony's brother is already a long haul trucker in Canada, so they mey even end up there, but they are a very nice couple and we both wish them all the best for the future wherever they get to.



Monday was my last day at work which was sad, as I have been at WA Shearings for three and a half years and I have been very happy there.
I had a great boss and great work colleagues who have all become friends and I would not have left my job if I had not been going with Mick to travel North America.
On Thursday evening I went out for a meal with my friends from work, we had a very pleasant evening and here's a picture of all the silly things they bought me as an "emergency kit" for Canada.

A lot of thought went into it, so, thanks to Paul and the girls, you brought a smile and a tear to my face.




It wasn't just silly stuff like hand warmers and reindeer Poo, they also bought me a beautiful wristwatch



















It was Micks last day at work today, he has been there for over 10 years, and he will be sad to leave his colleague 'Jimmy G' behind, and also the lads at Redhead International.

Mick has also been speaking to 'Wolf', he is on the same flight as us so it will be good to meet him, and I think we will have a good old chat and laugh on that flight.
Wolf also sent Mick a picture of himself playing in the snow on a fertiliser bag (hope you did not twist your ankle too badly lol).
If any of our mates are reading this, and don't have our Skype/MSN details, just leave a comment and I'll let you have them because you know Mick is too tight to use the phone.

Furry Hats And Druggy Rioters

After posting the picture of the furry hat on the last post, I was in Matalan and bought a similar one for a fiver, so at least my head will be warm when we get off the plane in a couple of weeks.
Mick says they are not the real McCoy, but will do till we can get some proper winter clothing sorted out that will keep us warm in the low winter temps.

Hubby was talking to 'Wolf' from Scotland the other night, who is going to be on the same flight as us, and has already worked in Canada as a trucker, so we should get some tips off him when we meet up in Gatwick.

Mike Nash, from 'Mike's Jolly in Canada' was on Skype with Mick this A.M, whilst he was in his hotel room in the Sandman, and it was great to hear the usual upbeat positive attitude which he has got, and which helps to put me (and Mick) more at ease with our move.
His wife, Dee, is over on the 19th to join him for a week in his truck, so no posts from him Lol.

Micks Mum had her shopping bag stolen from her shopping cart at Morrisons, Mayo Avenue branch on Saturday, and although the store manager was very sypathetic, the Police will not take any action whatsoever, so that s another reason to get the hell out of here.
There was also a mini riot in Bradford City centre last weekend involving two ethnic drugs gangs, but when it was finally reported in the local paper it was played down and no crimes were either reported or detected, so, like Micks Mum's bag theft ...it never happened.

Javi and his wife Inga should also be over at the same time as us, so we are looking forward to meeting them, as I have been following his blog since he was in Canada previously, and if you like nice photographs, he takes great shots for his blog, here... 'On The Road Again !!!'






Here's a picture from smack in the middle of our town, just one of the neglected unloved buildings which are being left to deteriorate in our once proud city.

Ice Road Truckers Wife?

Mick received his emigration papers today, so every thing's on track for our move to the 'Great White North'.
He was on the phone yesterday to another driver, ' Wolf', who will be on the same flight as us, who gave him some good tips and advice because he has driven over there before and knows what to expect.

My biggest problem is what things to take and what to leave, you know what women are like, and even though there is a fair bit of storage room in the truck, we may be traveling from temperatures of -30C in Canada to parts of the USA which are still hot at this time of year, and back again within a few days.

Winter survival clothing is essential at this time of year in the northern United States and Canada, and they take up a lot of room when they are not being worn, so I have had to leave my Louis Vuitton suitcase full of expensive beach wear, shoes and designer ball gowns at home , LOL. My Tiara will have to stay home too, as the first thing I am going to buy on arrival is one of these ... and I'm not kidding.


You may well laugh (I'm sure you will when you see the pictures), but it will stop my head freezing in the chill factor of those Northern Arctic winds.

After receiving advice from people on the British Truckers Abroad forum and other trucking bloggers, we have decided to use calling cards to phone home from across the pond, although I will be taking my own phone and using a SIM card which I will activate when we hit the USA.

Hubby got the SIM off E-bay from cellplan4u123 and it was £11.49 with $10 credit already on it.

The seller provides full instructions for activation, so we will post here about it's use, once we get using it (or not, Lol). The stories about mobile phone charges are quite astonishing, and I will miss my O2 text and talk freebies.

Phones and sim card deals in the USA and Canada

Post by Mick

We have been researching the cost and availability of Sim only deals for our own mobiles in Canada and the USA, but it's a minefield out there.

We would like to take our own phones over, and just use a 'pay and go' SIM for emergency calls, and we are happy to use a prepaid calling card from the truckstop phones for long distance.

Both Mike Nash and Lyndon have given us some advice as well as Gremmie, Rooster and Bob the Dog over at ...

British Truckers Abroad

Is that a big enough link Paul? eh?

I have been looking at the Chinese company, 'Red Pocket', who appear to have great deals, ie 1c a min to the UK, and if anyone has any experience with them, I would appreciate some comments and advice.



Post by Mick