Two more weeks for CBC in Canada...

Picture: Our fantastic Canadian family.

This week in Canada:

- 171 MPs voted against the government in a vote of no confidence
- Harry Potter topped at the box office with revenues of $20.5m (well done Doug!)
- The 649 lotto jackpot was $24m (and no, once again, I didnt win. booo)
- There were 506 sprout related salmonella cases in Ontario (remember, Sprouts are for life, not just for Christmas..)
- CBC skipped breakfast 6 times - naughty CBC (the only one I didnt skip was brunch at Mels, and that was possibly too late to qualify for 'breakfast'!)

But of course the main thing that happened this week was the send off of the first 2 Brits. And as you can see from the pictures above and below, we signed them off well. Drinks all Friday night, then up to Williams' flat, and then Saturdaybrunch followed by a mass convoy to the airport. Reminded me of a period some 9 years ago, where we seemed to be at Dusseldorf airport every week saying goodbye. Tears here too. (from far too many of us, and yes, my eyes were a little damp when Andy walked through that door!)

Nice all in photo at the top, and this was good too. Typically finding Suzanne at the centre of things (when isnt she?!), most of the major players are in here. We might have to do a little biography of each of them over the next week or so...

Meanwhile, as ever in search of ego massage, I managed to find a few girls willing to stand within a few feet of me... (if only more of them had noticed the camera!!!!)

But no doubting the highlight of the night. The guys spent many a secret hour at Pauls over brunch last weekend discussing the plans for this, and from what Will called 'brainstorming', what emerged was a personalised photo album for both of the Brits, with a range of photos, and a personal photo of each of us, so that we could leave a message for them. So what did I write? No idea (i was wasted!). But it probably wasnt as nice as what Andy wrote to me in his Christmas card ("I owe you for introducing me to this group"), and probably WAS nicer than what Doug wrote in his (Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little lord Jesus looked up and he said... "we hate boro, we hate boro, we hate boro"). Which of the 2 do you think is from Cambridge?! And just to close a similar topic. Suzanne. No. POSH does not stand for Peterborough are Shit. (Although i guess it could, and probably with some justification!)

So, having set the boys up with their gifts, the Canadians took them to the airport and many tears were shed. Doug said as heartfelt a thank you as he could muster in the circumstances, and Will applied a nice bit of perspective to the situation: "You should see what we do for people we like!"

Just being there was a moving experience. I know I speak for Doug and Andy when I say how good this group of people has been in taking us in and making us feel at home. I wont list any names for fear of forgetting one of you. But thank you all. For all the beauty, for all the spectacular places, sights, scenery, buildings, skylines, sunrises, sunsets and more, the most unforgettable aspect of this country will stay its people. Priceless and irreplaceable. I intend to make the most of the next fortnight...