We've been in Vancouver for six months now and have just found out that we'll only be here another six. Originally we were planning on staying longer so we could save a little extra money and see a few extra places but we've just found out that Neil won't qualify for his second year Canadian visa as he hasn't resided habitually in the UK for 18 months in the past 3 years. So at the end of July we will try and get in some travelling; we have a list of places we want to see before we leave and they are: 

Banff/Jasper and the Rocky Mountains in Alberta

Montreal, Quebec the French speaking province of Canada

Toronto, Ontario and the Niagra Falls

New York, USA

We will most likely fly out of NY to the UK where we will then create another temporary home for around 12 months (although this is always subject to change). Although we have enjoyed Vancouver/Canada, we have struggled to really feel 'at home' here so I think we are both looking forward to moving to England where Neil's family and friends are. At this stage we are thinking of living in Bristol, but we still have a lot of research to do before deciding on where we want to reside. First thing's first though, I need to start organising my UK working visa!

One thing that I find difficult about travelling is being in the middle of winter here in Canada but the peak of summer back home in Australia. Some days when it's freezing cold, pouring with rain and I can't go outside without wearing at least 2 layers of clothing and a huge winter jacket, I long to be at home, dancing around in a summer dress, my sun kissed hair and honey brown skin. But just a few weeks ago it snowed in Metro Vancouver and snow in the city means perfect conditions up on the mountains. We've both bought out own ski gear and we have a choice of four different places to ski, 3 that are within 30 minutes drive from downtown and 1 which is 2 hours out (Whister) which has been ranked one of the best ski resorts in the world. So when I find myself feeling miserably cold, looking at everyone's photos on Facebook of them at the local beach or the local pub, I think to myself that I will be one of the very few who will get to experience a true snowy winter and that is something that will never happen back in Australia.