18th December 2012 Vancouver, Canada
There’s a Chinese proverb that says: “When the wind of change blows, some build walls while others build windmills.” It reminds me of Darwin’s theory which states that it is the best adapted of the species that survives. Every change to the context of our existence provides an opportunity to flourish or the potential to […]
30th November 2012 Ottawa, Canada
If you look carefully, you will see the Saltire, or St Andrew’s Cross, flying over many British Government Buildings today, including the British High Commission here in Ottawa. That’s because today is St Andrew’s Day – the patron saint of Scotland. St Andrew was one of the apostles, and was crucified on a diagonal cross […]
28th November 2012 Vancouver, Canada
Our twin-prop airplane cut through low cloud and descending darkness, to touch down in Prince Rupert. Having reclaimed our bags from a hole in a wall we boarded a shuttle bus, wound our way along a black forest-lined road, drove onto a slothful ferry, and were finally off-loaded in a deserted street in the middle […]
9th November 2012 Vancouver, Canada
I have loved the James Bond movies since I was seven: the lone man fighting for a just cause, willing to sacrifice himself for what he believes; the distant and exotic foreign worlds, filled with mountain peaks and tropical forests; the deadly animals and deadlier villains; the even more exotic women – my goodness; and […]
26th October 2012 Vancouver, Canada
Only a few weeks ago I settled into my new office at the UK Consulate General. In addition to the usual desk, chair, IT and telephony, it’s home to a struggling Yucca that I will doubtless see to a drawn-out dehydrated death, a framed painting of Her Majesty the Queen, and a corner window overlooking […]
9th October 2012 Ottawa, Canada
Recently I spent a couple of days in Montreal, one of my favourite places in Canada. A great time to visit and discuss the outcome of the recent Quebec elections, the ongoing corruption investigation, as well as take the temperature of the business community on the economy, and on CETA, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade […]
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19th September 2012 Ottawa, Canada
I’ve discovered the wonders of spandex recently. For the second year in a row, I’ve had the privilege to participate, with a number of my colleagues here at the British High Commission, in a terrific local charity event called Ride the Rideau. Our team, dubbed “Brits on Bikes”, is not made up of the athletic […]
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17th September 2012 Ottawa, Canada
I attended the 72nd anniversary of the Battle of Britain at Ottawa’s Aviation Museum on 16 September, under flawless blue skies – a bit like during the Battle itself – and in the presence of the Chief of Air Staff, veterans, cadets and members on parade of the Royal Canadian Air Force. I said the […]
24th August 2012 Calgary, Canada
My family and I have just celebrated two months in Alberta. Arriving just prior to Stampede was thrilling. Being the first British Consul General resident in Calgary is a huge honour. Identifying a clone to pack everything in (we cover Saskatchewan and Manitoba too) is an increasing priority. To me, Alberta is a Province of […]
20th June 2012 Ottawa, Canada
War fever is racing down the river! Actually, war commemoration fever, as the many ceremonies to mark the War of 1812 begin. I had the pleasure of attending two fascinating events in the last week. The first, at Ottawa’s excellent War Museum, is called: 1812: One War, Four Perspectives. Its curator is Dr Peter MacLeod, […]