Cleaning Windows in the Rocky Mountains

Working Wednesday - When I'm cleaning Windows

Working Wednesday - Keeping Calgary Clean

Working Wednesday - Firefighters

Working Wednesday #5

This bunch of firefighters looked like they were regrouping after a call-out... perhaps one of those calls where they check out an alarm but there's no fire to fight. They look relaxed and cheerful in the spring sunshine.
I'm sure they didn't get much of a break however but soon had another call-out to go to. Calgary is a growing city and all the emergency services are kept busy. Just afew weeks ago the fire service was dealing with a rash of traffic accidents after a run of cold snowy and icy days that made our roads treacherous.
So thanks to all the hard-working firefighters in this city and other cities around the world. The work they do is very much appreciated!

Working Wednesday - the busker and the bottle picker

Working Wednesday - Taking a Break

Working Wednesday - Calgary Hosts

Students. Work all summer - walk round city ...like walking information booths.

Working Wednesday - River Rescue

Working Wednesday -Setting Up

Setting up the finish line for the Run for Life. Working hard in the hot sun!

Working Wednesday - Bicycle Repair Man

Works 14 hour days in the summer. Right next to cycle path into downtown. Regards take up and set down of tent etc each day as his rent.

Working Wednesday - Getting ready for Stampede III

Working Wednesday - Getting Ready for Stampede II

Working Wednesday #10

It's a little over a week until Calgary puts on it's spurs and chaps and parties like a cowboy!
The Calgary Stampede is coming to town a week on Friday....that's when we have the huge parade through the downtown core and for ten days the city goes cowboy crazy.

So Calgary is getting it's annual makeover ahead of the anticipated visitors from around the world. These individuals were planting up the cities many flower beds...always a last minute job before Stampede since we get overnight frost into the early part of June fairly frequently being in Canada and so close to the Rockies and all!

Not sure whether the cowboys will appreciate the flowers...but I like them!

Working Wednesday - Getting Ready for Stampede I

Working Wednesday #9
In just over two weeks the World's Biggest Outdoor Show comes to town.
The Calgary Stampede is a celebration of all things cowboy featuring rodeo skills and fun! It has been running in the city for many years. And it's huge! Last year 1,236,351 people attended the various shows from all over the world. It all kicks off with a big parade through the downtown core and for ten days the city goes cowboy crazy.
Cycling downtown at the weekend, it was quite apparent that the city was being freshened up after a long winter and will be putting on it's best face to the world when Stampede begins.
These young people were scrubbing out a public wading pool....the kids will soon be able to enjoy it! The blue post is a water canon.
I love going downtown and seeing kids having fun in the middle of the city!

Father Christmas?

Working Wednesday #8

I met this gentleman at a track meet a week or so ago. He runs an ice-cream and coffee concession van which was serving great coffee at 8.00 a.m. on a chilly morning.
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He told me that his family have been in the business for years but then confessed that this was only his summer job since he and his wife are actually Mr. And Mrs. Christmas! He swore me to secrecy so I'm not going to tell anyone....ooops!

Working Wednesday - Pies Galore!

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Working Wednesday #7
I was at the Calgary Farmers Market in time for breakfast. All the produce there is wonderful and it was hard to chose just one thing to eat but I bought a Jamaican Spicy Beef pie from this stall. These young people were all delightfully cheerful for such an early hour. They told me that the market gets extremely busy all day and this first half hour is their only relatively quiet moment. I wasn't surprised that they get busy...the pies were delicious!

Working Wednesday - A job with a view!

Working Wednesday #6
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This gentleman has a job I would love to have...in the summer at least.
Heinz is one of the lifeguards at the Banff Hot Springs Pool and he has a job that comes with the most amazing view. From the lifeguard's chair the vista of Rundle Mountain is spectacular in any season.
I went to the Hot Springs this past weekend on one of the first really warm days we have had this Spring. It was great to loll in the warm water after my hike up Sulphur Mountain but really winter is the best time to visit the Springs. The water is kept at a constant temperature of around 40c and on a -30c, clear winters night with the stars above and the mountains covered in snow it's a wonderful place to keep warm, marvel at the steam rising from the water and fashion your hair into amazing frozen spikes! I don't think the lifeguards job is would be quite so much fun in winter though!
Heinz told me he enjoys his job...it gives him time to get in a couple of hours skiing each morning in February, March and April before coming to work for the day. He chooses to work seasonally and in winter takes long vacations in warmer countries in the winter months....makes me want to go out and get my Bronze Medallion!

If you want to find out more about the Hot Springs... especially their fascinating history ...then visit :
http://www.pc.gc.ca/regional/sourcesthermales-hotsprings/itm3-/natcul1_E.asp#banff

Working Wednesday - How many?!?

Working Wednesday #5
Now I admit that it doesn't look like anyone is working in this shot...but see the orange on the left-hand side of the picture?...well that's the worker...an individual who was sure earning his pay as a professional dog-walker!
I spotted the car near a local park and the reason I noticed it was because there were...how many dogs inside? I couldn't get them all in the picture but I think there were nine dogs in total!
Nine dogs having just a fabulous time romping around...like a bunch of excited kids! The guy told me he loved his job because the dogs were so happy all the time!

Working Wednesday - Bubble teas

Working Wednesday #4
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This tiny basement store in downtown Calgary was doing a roaring trade the day I wandered past...the line-up was out the door, up the stairs and onto the street. They were making bubble teas...obviously good ones...and the women behind the counter were working flat out to meet the demand.
I've never tried bubble tea which is all the rage in Calgary right now. I like my tea the old-fashioned way, hot and so strong you can dissolve spoons in it.

Working Wednesday - Spring Renovations

Working Wednesday #3
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I spotted these guys in a back alley downtown this week. they were busy refurbishing their office furniture. I guess it's just that time of year...when a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of varnish!

Working Wednesday

Working Wednesday #2
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Okay...this is Canada, so I guess I'd better get the Mountie photo over and done with!

This guy is actually not a real member of the force but works at Heritage Park playing the part of a Northwest Mounted Police Officer (who were the precursors to the RCMP).

Throughout the summer season the park employs people to act the part of everyday folk from Alberta's history. This young man was taking care of the Mounties Police Post and gaol the day we visited...and doing a great job! He was delighting the kids by handcuffing them and throwing them into the cell you can see behind him...they all giggled furiously and bounced straight back out again!

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The Northwest Mounted Police played a critical part of Alberta's history being among the first settlers in Alberta. Established in Manitoba in 1873, a year later the 275 mounted police officers marched west, to southern Alberta, to establish a permanant post at FortMcleod and deal with whisky traders who were operating among the First Nations peoples. Soon after they became the Federal force of today.