Moving to Wales
Moving our Family to Wales
I think we are moving to Wales.
Actually, I’m about 90% sure.
For awhile now, I have been informally telling people of our plans, but now, I am telling the world that we might be moving to Wales.
For 6 months.
My husband is a professor at the university and will be on sabbatical starting in September for a year. His plan has always been for us to go to the UK for part of that year.
David has done a lot of research on mining disasters in Canada and would like to continue that research, looking at some of the mining disasters in Wales.
Besides, David is from England, and grew up close to the Welsh border. His sister and lots of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews still live there.
It would be a great chance to spend some more time with our British family members.
Our current plan is to go to Wales from January to June, 2017.
I lived overseas in Japan for 3 years. I went speaking not a word of the language and not knowing anyone.
So, why is moving to a foreign country, where we have family, and they speak English, making my head spin?
Maybe because when I moved to Japan I took 2 suitcases and left no job, house, car, pets and no responsibilities, and had no kids.
This move is going to be a lot more work.
Schools:
There are some areas of Wales that do no have any English schools. Until we know exactly where we are going to live, I won’t know if school is an option.
Will I have to homeschool them? I have taught lots before, but can I handle my own hyper-active children? Will they listen to me? Public school was created for a reason!
If we do go to school, how much will the uniforms cost? Is the cost so exorbitant for just a couple of months?
At least they will not have to pay international enrollment fees because they have British passports.
Will we be subject to the 50Pound per day fees that you have to pay to take your children out of school?
“The Government has cracked down on unauthorised absences from schools, telling headteachers that they can no longer let children go on holiday during the term.”
Read more here about the fees parents pay for taking their kids out of school.
If we have to pay this, then there is no point putting them in school. We want to take a week to visit David’s aunts, uncles and cousins in Ireland, and to explore the rest of the UK – who knows about the rest of Europe!
Then, there are thoughts of home.
We think we have someone lined up to live in our house to look after the pets and security.
We are starting to make arrangements with the kids’ school here.
Daniel (9) is not excited about going. He doesn’t want to fall behind in school here, and he absolutely does not want to miss the recorder program!
Thomas (7) feels more secure about going (which is surprising for our shy kid!) However, he wasn’t sure about leaving his grandfather for that long.
“I’d be ok going if Grandad visited us at least once a month.”
I’m not sure that is possible, but at least one visit!
Then there is my work.
I work contract jobs, including running Valley Family Fun. How many of those jobs will I be able to do from afar? How much work will I be able to do if I’m homeschooling the boys? How much work do I want to do? Which jobs can I get back when we return?
There are just so many details to think about! See why my head is spinning?
Will it be difficult and stressful? YES!
But will it be worth it? Absolutely every second!
We are looking forward to the great opportunity for our family to experience something new, visiting something old, and spending more time with our British family.
It can’t get better than that!
Stay tuned as we make our plans and figure out where we will be living and when!
Lockhart Ryan Park Trails
Lockhart & Ryan Park Trails, New Minas
Right in the heart of New Minas is a series of walking trails that are great for families to explore. This is all at the Lockhart & Ryan Memorial Park.
Trail Description
According to the Kings County Trails website, this area contains quite a large system of trails; all very well maintained and easy to follow.
All trails are interconnecting offering many different routes to explore.
The main trail skirts the park’s playing fields (soccer and baseball).
The tree vegetation is mainly hardwood including aspen, oaks and birch, although a few softwoods do exist. One route takes you along the river bank with views of a large grassy marsh and flood dykes. The trail system begins and ends at a family picnic area with tables and garbage cans.
A canteen, tennis courts, disc golf, a splash pad and playground are also in the park.
Our Experience
We decided to try snowshoeing here.
I came armed with a map that I found on the Kings County Trails website.We followed this trail.
We parked beside the tennis courts, and followed the trail around the outskirts of the soccer fields and the baseball diamond.
Once we got directly across from the parking lot and the dugout,
there was a trail that lead into the woods.
We followed this and it connected with the rail trail, which we followed for awhile.
There was orange hunting tape along the route and a path leading back in towards Lockhart & Ryan Park.
We followed this, and ended pack in the park close to the splash pad.
We didn’t completely follow the map that I had brought, but the route was very intuitive, as were just going around the circumference of the park.
Once we got to this final stretch, there was another loop that actually went through the woods, but we were fairly tired by then and just headed back to the car.
This route was 2km and took us 45 minutes in the snow.
On the way back, near the top of the baseball field, I found a sign with a map. I did not see this map on the website and wished I had seen it before we started the trail.
Recommendation
I really like trails through the woods, and had I seen this up-to-date map on the sign, I would have parked at the ball fields (not the tennis courts) and walked counter-clockwise (to the right) and done the loop through the woods instead of going around the soccer fields.
Overall
This is a great trail for families who are just starting out snowshoeing or just have a small amount of time to get outside and need somewhere close by.
The trails are easy for kids, and it’s easy to see your progress, and when the hike will be over!
This is a great hike to do in all seasons, mixing up the trails each time. If you are at Lockhart & Ryan Park for a soccer game, try one of these loops to stretch your legs and get a change of scenery between games.
Enjoy exploring, and remember to stop off at the playground or splash pad when you are finished!
Happy exploring!
Body Talk with Erica Spring
Erica Spring BodyTalk
*I received a session with Erica Spring BodyTalk in exchange for this blog post. All opinions are my own.*
The moral of this story is “don’t knock it till you try it!”
When Erica Spring de Sousa contacted me about having a BodyTalk session with her, I jumped at the opportunity. I love trying anything new, and having the opportunity to share my experiences and educate others.
“I have no idea what to expect”
I said to my husband whilst heading out the door. This made the experience all the more interesting!
What is BodyTalk?
This is what Erica Spring BodyTalk website says:
Any kind of stress has an impact on our bodies whether its physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. Physical problems are often a sign of an underlying factor that cannot be accessed by our ego, the part of our brain we use the most. In fact, our ego often holds on to stressors, beliefs and emotions that can cause deterioration in our health.
BodyTalk communicates with your bodymind, or whole self, which knows exactly what changes need to take place to promote healing. Your symptoms may be the same as someone else’s but your body’s approach to healing will be entirely unique.
BodyTalk establishes which changes need to happen and in what order for the most effective results.
BodyTalk supports your bodymind to repair channels of communication, release stored emotions, and soften belief systems, all of which promotes improved health and overall wellness.
In essence, it’s getting your body to talk so it can start to heal.
My Experience
When I arrived at the clinic in New Minas, Erica brought me into the treatment room. I sat on the clinical table (much like a massage table) while she explained to me what would happen in our session.
Her nature is gentle and calm, and you immediately feel at ease with her.
I then lay on my back, fully clothed, in the warm, dim room.
Many people are apprehensive about massages because they don’t want to get undressed or don’t like to be touched.
BodyTalk avoids all this.
While I laid on my back, Erica held my arm with one hand and my right hand with the other.
Going through a series of steps and processes, Erica then would delve into a variety of questions, waiting for my body to give the needed response through my hand.
All I had to do was lie there, and relax. And, it was an incredibly relaxing experience.
Each time Erica had a response, we went through a series of “tapping it out” which involved her tapping my head and then my heart so that connections could be reestablished. Sometimes it would involve me holding a part of my body, or repeating statements.
Insight
Through the BodyTalk session, Erica told me that I kept a lot of my stress in my stomach. The rest of the day, I did feel almost a pit in my stomach, like it had been really worked or had finally relaxed after being held.
During the session, Erica is also able to delve into some deeper issues you might be experiencing. These come to her through responses and energy in the body.
I honestly gasped a few times and wondered how she knew certain things about me that only my closest friends know.
“I’m not friends with you or am connected with you on Facebook. I never write about these things. How do you know?”
“Your body is telling me.”
It was very unnerving, but also a release!
The great thing is, as Erica says, you don’t need to share the stories, or tell her details. If you are not comfortable, you do not have to acknowledge them. It’s what you feel comfortable with. It’s all what your body is telling you.
Following the treatment I felt lightheaded and “lifted” is the only word. And, as I mentioned before, my stomach felt as though it had been worked.
It was such a relaxing and calming experience, that I can easily see why it would work with people who are feeling stressed, anxious and/or depressed.
BodyTalks with Children
BodyTalk is appropriate for people and children of all ages and in any state of health, including pregnancy.
Kids and babies may attend sessions.
I asked Erica how that worked with children, and would they sit still. She said that to be treated, children do not need to sit still! They can play on the floor, and sometimes, the parent can actually act as the conduit of information.
Erica teaches calming exercises that work wonders for children to self-soothe. In fact, she’s taught techniques to an elementary school class at a local school. The teacher does this with the students a few times a week to help the kids relax!
Overall
If you are looking for a new health experience to feel reconnected and want to get to the route of some of your body issues, book an appointment with Erica Spring Body Talk!
Book now
Learn more
Free Information Session and Demonstration
Saturday February 20th, 2016 1-3pm
Paradise Community Hall, 10300 Hwy 1, Paradise NS
Contact Karen Cross for more details:
902 309 1553 or klc2799@gmail.com
OR
Book a Mini Session with 4-6 people at Erica’s home in Gaspereau, or at someone else’s!
Contact
5 Crescent Drive
New Minas, Nova Scotia
erica@ericaspring.ca
902 670 5851
Try BodyTalk for Free!
Click on the banner below to enter to win your free session with Erica Spring BodyTalk!
Enter daily until Friday, February 19, 2016
Yaki Soba (Japanese Stir-Fried Noodles)
Yaki Soba: Japanese Stir-Fried Noodles
I lived in Japan for 3 years.
One of my favourite parts of summer was going to the local matsuris (festivals) dressed in a traditional Japanese yukata (summer kimono) and eating the street food.
My friends Mihoko and Akiko wearing yukatas
One of my favourites was yaki soba. Basically stir fried noodles.
I often make this dish at home and the boys will eat it. It’s a great excuse to practice using chopsticks, too!
Although it calls for soba noodles (which I can find in organic stores, or the natural food section at the grocery store) you could probably try it with any noodle, including spaghetti.
My Japanese friend, Mihoko, pictured above, just told me that you can actually turn spaghetti into Chinese noodles easily by doing this trick! She is now living in Switzerland and does this when she makes her yakisoba!
Add your favourite vegetables and enjoy!
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 7 Ounces (200g) roast pork, cut thin
- 6 leaves cabbage, cut in slices
- 7 ounces (200g) bean sprouts
- 2 small green peppers, cut in slivers
- 1 1/4 pounds fresh (or 1 pound dried) soba noodles, or ramen noodles (or any noodles) cooked in boiling water until al dente, drained, and patted dry
- 3 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- Heat half the oil in a frying pan and saute the pok and vegetables over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until tender.
- Remove from frying pan and set aside.
- Heat the remaining vegetable oil and fry the noodles for 3 minutes over medium heat.
- Return the pork and vegetables to the frying pan and season with Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce.
- Fry 1-2 minutes more and serve on individual plates.
- Sprinkle with crushed nori seaweed or sesame seeds if desired.
- You can add any other vegetables like carrot, mushrooms, etc.
- Try making it vegetarian.
Soba Noodle package
Cut Pork into thin strips
Use any combination of vegetables
Stir fry vegetables and pork
Mix sauce
For and EASY adaption, use a bag of Randsland Super Salad Mix instead of the chopped cabbage! #SupportLocal
Fry Daddy’s Restaurant
Fry Daddy’s Restaurant
Windsor NS
*This is not a sponsored post. Our family has decided to write about family-friendly restaurants in the Valley.*
The greatest FISH & CHIPS in Nova Scotia! We also have a large selection of great SEAFOOD, delicious house made HAMBURGERS, tasty SANDWICHES and much more! Be sure to check out our Soft Serve ICE CREAM, SHAKES & more great cold treats! Eat in or Take out Restaurant
Our Day
We were heading to the theatre in Windsor, and decided to have a full family experience by going out for lunch at Fry Daddy’s.
“It was really good!”
“I liked it a whole lot, because we got our own room and there was a TV in there!”
When we walked in, we picked a big booth at the back of the room, that the kids thought was our own room. And, yes, there was a TV playing a soccer match.
Fry Daddy’s has a great kids menu 
with large portions.
And, all kids’ meals came with a special dessert.
There were so many interesting things on the menu that we wanted to try, but we decided to stick with the traditional fish and chips.
We did not go wrong.
The food was absolutely delicious.
And, it just means that we will have to go back to try the poutine, burgers and milk shakes.
There are also lots of specials. Kids eat for 1/2 price on Sundays!
Gluten-free options are available, too!
Birthdays
Fry Daddy’s also offers special birthday packages.
Let Fry Daddy’s host your next birthday party! Standard package with every party: One item each from kids menu, balloons, table cloths, coloring place mats, gift from Fry Daddy’s to birthday child, candles, happy birthday sign, goodie bags for all children, birthday cake (we do theme cakes at a extra charge) and games with kids. ($15.00 a child min of 8 children ).
Connect with Fry Daddy’s
109 Gerrish Street, Windsor, Nova Scotia
Tel: 1.902.798.3200
Wheelchair Accessible
Non-Smoking Environment
Make a trip to Windsor to go to Fry Daddy’s! You’ll be glad you did!
Pork Meatballs with Water Chestnuts
Pork Meatballs with Water Chestnuts
When we were kids, our mom took a Chinese cooking class. This was one of the recipes that she learned to make. I would always beg her to make it for us.
I love water chestnuts. I love the crunchy, juicy feeling of them.
I love this recipe!
- 1 pound (450g) ground pork
- 1/2 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 1 tsp chopped ginger (or ground)
- 1 Tbsp soya sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp wine (opt)
- 1 Tbsp corn starch
- 1 egg
- 1/4 C chopped water chestnuts
- 4 Tbsp sugar
- 2/3 C water
- 4 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp soya sauce
- 2 tsp corn starch
- 1 tsp sesame oil (or any other)
- Mix pork with 2 Tbsp cold water. Then add green onion, ginger, soya sauce, wine, chestnuts, egg and cornstarch.
- Mix well.
- Heat oil in frying pan.
- Wet left hand and place 2-3 Tbsp of pork mixture in palm of hand and close fingers. An amount about the size of a walnut will spurt from the top of the fist.
- With a wet spoon remove the ball and drop in hot oil.
- Balls will rise to the top and become golden.
- Fry about 1 minute.
- Mix sauce ingredients in a pot. Bring to a boil until slightly thickened.
- When all the balls are cooked, add the seasoning sauce and mix in a serving bowl.
- This is great if you serve on a bed of shredded cabbage, or just serve with rice.
Mix pork with dry ingredients
Squeeze meat mixture in your palm until balls are formed.
Fry pork meatballs in oil
Mix sauce and then heat till thick
