Guest blog - hon member of team lump

Canada day - Saturday 1st July 2006
A bit of background on Canada Day, according to a website on Canada day's history it is a celebration of "the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada." Having said this however like a number of Australian's when asked about why we have Australia Day, the local Canadian people really have no idea and when asked this question promptly answered, "the purpose of Canada Day is to have a day of work, a BBQ or party with friends and enjoy the free fireworks!"

Lumpkin, Lumpy and I spent Canada Day afternoon and evening at Lumpkin's friend's place, all the Canadian people were very welcoming and found it a novelty to have three Aussie's to celebrate Canada Day with!

We enjoyed a great BBQ with lots of great burgers, hotdogs, popsicles and other yummies and introduced the party goers to Haloumi cheese and Anzac Biscuits (or cookies, biscuits here are different.) I might add that haloumi cheese is Turkish and we had to make the ANZAC's to make things even!

We had some very amusing conversations about the different meanings of words in the 2 cultures and i found about the Canadian school system and the real reasons why kids are sent to summer camp! (Thanks to Jess) I also learnt if you want lemonade you have to ask for 7up or sprite otherwise you get many blank looks!! (thanks to lumpkin and lumpy!) I managed to tread on someones toes by saying later in my trip i was going to Victoria island instead of Vancouver island but was later forgiven for my ignorance.

After several threatening rain showers, Ferrinne rounded up the party crowd mostly grad students, post docs and other significant (or insignificant others!) and we took the walk down the hill to Hamilton Harbour to watch the local firework display, a great show (although people didn't have radios blaring like skyfire). I definitely enjoyed the fireworks but was even more excited by a big flock of Canada Geese who were also enjoying the show! (The locals couldn't understand my excitement until I asked if a Kangaroo would be exciting to them!)

All in all a fantastic evening with all the important things, good food, interesting people and a few fireworks for good measure! Oh and did i mention Ferrinne's cute dog Sydney spent the evening with us too!

Pat and Ben: "you can plough my field any time, baby"

The office: Vicky, Ferrinne and Rachel

Ferrinne's dog Sidney is very good natured and has an amusing underbite.

As we watched the fireworks, a gaggle of Canada geese tried to make good their escape. We might have been sitting on their spot.

More Canada Day fireworks across Hamilton Bay.

A good time was had by all. (Laura had the camera, so there aren't any shots of her :-(

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This post was brought to you by our special guest blogger, Laura (an honorary member of Team Lump), who is visiting from Canberra this week. Thanks Laura!