It's spitting down rain here in Yellowknife as I type the first of what I expect will be many posts to this blog. It's been a bloody cold winter, crappy spring and downright maritime June so far. Perfect. I'm ready for some new sights and patterns. Only six weeks until we hit the road.

Many small things, one medium thing and one serious matter are occupying our planing right now. I won't bother you with all the small things but they range from currency conversions to malaria and rabies medication to utility bill transfers. At the other end of the scale, Deb's Dad has been in hospital for two weeks and is expected to remain there for several more. It seems selfish to be planning a year long getaway with that weighing on our minds. The middle issue is our damn house. We thought we had it rented to a young couple in January, but that fell though at the last moment. We simply cannot afford to pay a mortgage on this place and travel for 11 months so it must be rented. We have left the matter in the hands of a good realtor who is keeping us calm and on message. We've had three showings and one walk in this week. Some good prospects but no lease inked yet. We won't breath easy until that item is checked off our list. Here's to first world problems like that and here's to a speedy recovery for Deb's Dad. The health of loved ones makes all other check list items pale in importance.

There we go. First blog entry. Now stop raining so I can put my sailboat in the water tomorrow!!!!!