BRRRR..........

I now understand why the Americans do not like Candadians. Don't be fooled. They may give you several arbitrary reasons. I discovered the truth last night while watching the news.

The weather man was warning us (in Pensacola where it hardly gets cold) to make sure that we wrap our pipes and bring in fragile plants in preparation for the freezing night ahead. We had been warned days in advance that the temperatures would plummet due to a cold front due to come in to the States.

Last night the weather man was illustrating the cold front on a map of the country and, of course, was focussing on our immediate area as it is a local station in Mobile (pronounced Mobeal). I still have not mentaly adjusted myself to the Fahrenheit prognostics and was not too shocked. I know that getting into the lower thirties means freezing.

Finally, the weather man mentioned something about the cold front coming in from Canada. I was immediately aware of how much cold weather must come in from Canada. This is most certainly not the first time this has happened.

I recall my grandmother, a Canadian citizen, advising me to never come and visit her in the winter-time because of the miserable cold weather. Now I see why.

Just to give you an idea of what I am talking about, I will relate to you the temperature on a normal winter day. Normally, on a decent winter morning when I leave around half past eight the temperature outside is around 20 degrees celcius.

This morning when I left my house it was 0 degrees celcius. As I got closer to work it was -1 degrees celcius.

Needless to say, I was freezing my _______ off. Not only is it cold, but there is an icy wind that cuts through your clothes and right into your bones. That is Canada's gift to the United States.

I never thought talking about weather could be so engrossing. Have a warm, South African Sunshine day. You know I would rather be on the beach in Cape Town right now, but all in good time!