It is cold and sunny day in the Nation’s capital – Ottawa.  So, I thought I’d take some pictures at the Nepean Sailing Club, which is just West of the city center and the parliament buildings. The weather is warming up here, but you can see the docks are still frozen in place, and the sail boats are under tarps.

This is weather that I’ve grown up with, and feel slightly nostalgic about, especially as this might be our last Canadian winter for some time.

We plan to sail in the Caribbean, starting in mid-July 2015 and from there – if the lifestyle suits us – we will decide if want to circumnavigate.

I shall miss the sting of wind laced with snow on my face, and the crunch beneath my feet.

But, I won’t miss the time I spend organizing my kids’ gear in winter – like snow suits, boots, hats, mitts, and scarves – just to go outside.

Meanwhile, my husband sent me the photo below from the Florida Keys today. He is sailing somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico right now, en route to Bradenton, Florida.

To me, this photo looks like something out of an ex-pat brochure. I’ve lived in Ottawa for 30 years. And, it’s time to try something new – like palm trees and warmer climes.