> Hello folks,

> Well work is sending me off to Toronto next week, perhaps for a month.

> Know any places where I could rent a boat and go for a paddle?

> ( although it probably iced in I'll still check it out )

Oh, you lucky guy! At present the temperatures are running a balmy -7 to -12. I haven't been down to look at the harbour, but I don't think it's iced in. Yet. The centre of the lake usually is clear, but we get ice near shore.

I called a couple of places, and after they stopped laughing at me, they said they don't rent during the winter. Not enough business. I should think most of the people that do that are renting skis right now, or gone to Florida for the winter. If you're going to be here for a month, you may be able to hunt something up, or if Timothy from Toronto is still reading this board, maybe he can think of something.

I am late at work just now, wondering how long the bus will take to get me the 130 km. home, with 10 more cm. of snow due to fall in the next few hours. Already the black slush on the street has achieved a patina of soft whiteness with the new snowfall, and the meter high piles of snow at the side of the street are going to be a little higher come morning.

"Mon pays, ce n'est pas un pays, c'est l'hiver!"

When you get here, drop by for a coffee, or a beer if it's late in the day. Send me a number where I can reach you, and I'll give you a call.

Roger