cross on the hill

I went out for a ski today. The sun was out and the sky clear, but it was still very cold. It is just after sundown now (1:49) and the temp is -28C. I went across the ice to the hills on the north side of the hamlet and skied up a ways, then climbed the rest of the way up to the huge cross that has been erected there. It is quite high and affords a panoramic view of the hamlet and the surrounding land and ocean. Anyway, I thought a couple more pictures were in order. Just about froze my hands taking them though.

Long weekend

Ah, how nice it is to live in a civilized part of the country where Remembrance Day is still a holiday, even if it falls on a weekend. It is so nice not to have to go in to school to teach tomorrow. Mind you I'll be in to do some prep and marking. Sunset is now about 1:15, and it begins to darken soon after, so there is not too much one can do outside in the afternoon anyway. It has been very cold here lately with the temperature not rising above -20C for more than a week. Got out for a snowmobile ride with Linda yesterday, and went about 30 km south of here where the locals go to fish for char. They set nets through the ice and bring home lots of fish. They were nice enough to give Linda and me one each. I'm going to try to post two pictures, one of me with Bartholomey and a komatick (sled) full of char. Apparently they got about this much again after we left. The other is of the sunset this afternoon. The air was full of ice crystals and the sun was just a round ball. Very pretty. I've decided to stretch it a bit and add one more pic, of haircutting day in Kugaaruk.

skating on sea ice

Apparently my posting from last week didn't make it on line. The sea ice was very good on Saturday but it was too cold. On Sunday, although we had some snow Sat. night, some of us went down to the ice where Joanne and I tried the skates. It was pretty good, and we likely won't get another chance to do this. The other pic is of Linda and Jess, grade 6 and grade 5 teachers respectively.