Day 14............bank account-check (and cheque)

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Hello everyone from a very very very wet Etobicoke. First and foremost I will tell you how to pronounce the area in which we are living in Greater Toronto.

E (as in egg) to (as in toe) bi (as in the beginning of big) co (as in Glen Coe or Seb Coe depending on whether you are a yes or a no voter-lol)

So, that done, I can tell you that there was no rain when we went in to the Mall at 5pm but when we left it, there was lots of it. I giggled most of the way to the subway station and from the subway station home-what else is a girl to do when she has on flip flops and shorts and water dripping from her nose, eh?

The adventure to the mall ws to get me some cheap trainers and I did okay by purchasing a pair of Dr Scholls (not known for their power walking but very well known for their comfort) for $32. Perhaps I will get a real pair of Walkers from adidas at some point but as we won't see Andrew by the time we are walking tomorrow-needs must.

Bonus of the rain is that I didn't have to go out and water the garden, which had been on the agenda for this evening. I will see if I can get the girls to post a picture of the back deck and garden. There are fairies in my garden, you know........and lots of little birds and both black squirrels and grey ones who seem to get along just fine.

There's also been a wee chipmunk in the same spot, outside Ali's window, each time I have looked out of it. Not sure whether he's moved from the spot or not but he just sits there and looks at me.

As the title tells you, I opened a bank acount today with the same bank that I was with more than 20 years ago. They have a great deal on new chequing accounts plus a visa card where (as long as I complete a few jumps through little hoops) I will be $400 up in 3 months time complements of them. Really friendly guy in the bank was a bonus.

I'm trying to persuade Jen to open one as well but she's more of an 'I'll hide it under the mattress' kind of a gal.

I also outdid myself by accomplishing a second thing on my list today. I got myself along to the Ontario Health Offices and signed myself up for Insurance. OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Premium) is a bit like our National Insurance back home. I will qualify for it after I have been in Ontario for 3 months. (I have travel insurance till then) If I was employed, my employer would pay it but I will have to pay the premiums (I think) because I'll be self employed. The health service is free for the most part as long as you have Provincial insurance. Each Province has their own health care system, independent of each other but you will be covered in another Province for up to 3 months of being there. A system which would maybe work quite well if Scotland gets independance, I think.

So, there you have a wee tutorial on Ontario healthcare.

Today my tiredness finally caught up with me and I needed a power nap at 3pm. I know that I'll also be heading to bed early tonight, which isn't unusual actually. We've all been in bed 10-10.30 since we got here, most nights. Not sure if that's our new permenant routine or whether it's just the routine for now. Did I tell you that I haven't had a glass of for more than a fortnight and it's not because I've given it up? If it continues, it will go some small way to paying the extortionate prices for dairy products and I may even treat myself to some yogurt.

Well, folks. I'll sign off for now by wishing you all a peaceful happy rest of your day, whatever time you're at.

Much love, Lxxx