That's How We Did It

I hope you enjoyed our little adventure as much as we enjoyed living it and writing about it.  In case you are wandering whatever happened to me, I am still living in Raymond, Alberta, still working for H&R Transport and still living the dream.

My life is slightly different now as I no longer drive a truck.  In fact I last drove a truck (under dispatch) in January 2009.  I remember it very well, I was confined to Canada because I had sent my passport away to be stamped for Permanent Residency.  My last trip took me from Lethbridge to Toronto in Ontario with a backload to Edmonton followed by a run East to Winnipeg.  A backload up to Edmonton and a final run back down to Lethbridge.

These days I work behind a desk as an overseas recruiter and I manage the company's Temporary Foreign Worker Program.  Since finishing this Blog we have settled in to Canada as Permanent Residents, in 2012 we will be applying for Canadian Citizenship and are looking forward to becoming Canadian Citizens sometime in 2013.

Well thank you (again) to all the people who have joined Janice, Luke Gizmo and myself on this amazing journey from being a normal everyday family living in the South of England...... to our new life on the Albertan Prairies.....

Living The Dream..................

THE END

A big huge thank you

I would like to thank everyone who sent in the comments on the final chapter post, rather than say thank you in the comments i thought i would post it out here where everyone can see it.


THANK YOU !

Thank you !

Many Thanks to my readers for your very kind words.  

This story is dedicated to everyone who 

"Lives The Dream"

27 comments:

BenFebruary 3, 2009 2:29 AM
Hi,
I have never commented your blog before, just wanted to say Thanks. It was really informative and funny. I enjoyed a lot of your stories now I know important facts about canadian trucking and north american culture. It gave me a detailed "how-to" of the immigration process. (Which is a bit more difficult in my case) My dreams are quite the same, it was good to see someone can make them real. I wish you a lot of good trips in the future!

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GrayTFebruary 3, 2009 4:08 AM
ooohh noooooo! Well i suppose we all knew it had to come to an end sometime, but like a good book or a great film we hoped it never would. Thanks for the blog, all the very best for the future.

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GrahamFebruary 3, 2009 4:33 AM
I'd just like to say a sincere Thankyou for all your posts Lyndon, always informative and entertaining reading. Hope you and your family keep enjoying life in Canada. GH

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GrahamFebruary 3, 2009 4:35 AM
oNE QUESTION i HAVE lYNDON, aRE YOU STAYING OUT TRUCKING ON THE ROAD ? or moving into the office for a spell ? Anyways goodluck whatever you decide. Hope to see you when I'm over in April. Cheers

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YorkieFebruary 3, 2009 5:29 AM
Lyndon,

The bloog has beeen fantastic,i have followed it right from the start(When you where at Wincanton.)

It's a shame we wont be able to see how thing's pan out for you and the family...

I wish Jan,Luke,and you all the best for the future..

Yorkie

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AlFebruary 3, 2009 8:47 AM
Lyndon, drop me a note. Why the sudden end to the guidance. I found it helpful for anyone wanting to transition into the truckng life. You are right and a reader must take a blog for what it is ....a journal of your experience. See you out there. Al

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AlFebruary 3, 2009 8:47 AM
Lyndon, drop me a note. Why the sudden end to the guidance. I found it helpful for anyone wanting to transition into the truckng life. You are right and a reader must take a blog for what it is ....a journal of your experience. See you out there. Al

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Gaffer40February 3, 2009 10:01 AM
come on big man, surely you can keep updating the blog and let us no what your up to.I hope you do. I for one think you have done a wonderful job, giving out your experience and advice, and i thank you for it. In a couple of years time we hope to be in NovaScotia and i will definately like to come to Raymond (if your still there)for a long weekend, if that's possible. Thanks again and all the very best to you,Jan,Luke and of course Gizmo.

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AnonymousFebruary 3, 2009 10:24 AM
hi lyndon well said mate its been enjoyable to say the least looking forward to getting over there in july and giving it my best shot

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AnonymousFebruary 3, 2009 10:45 AM
now that you are a perminant resident does that mean you can apply for any job you want? also is it easy gettin pets over from the UK? and also when you first arrived your wife couldn't work for 6 months, does this rule also apply to self employed wifes? who can work from home. ....and also are you going to stop the blog now then? boo hoo i really enjoyed reading it over the last year

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TipperDriverFebruary 3, 2009 12:24 PM
Thank you Lyndon it's been interesting reading yopur blog and seeing where you went.I will miss the sarga of your trips.All the best to you and your family in Canada.Roland(a Yorkshire tipper driver).

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Graham ParksFebruary 3, 2009 3:03 PM
The end of an era,sad day pal really a sad day.. tried to call ya at the weekend and wish ya happy birthday, you old fart...
Take care,,, chat soon..

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takeaflightFebruary 3, 2009 3:30 PM
Thanks for a great blog from someone who will never move to Canada, due to being to old and under qualified, but mainly no balls.

I enjoyed looking in from time to time and sharing your journey.

I for one will miss it.

Best of luck to you and your family. Roy

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CurtFebruary 3, 2009 3:35 PM
All the best Lyndon. I havent commented in a while here, but ive been reading...

Good luck in the future, to you and family buddy!
Whatever or whereever the 'road' takes you in life, regardless, enjoy, live, be happy, take care!!

Curt.

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AnonymousFebruary 3, 2009 7:05 PM
Lyndon, reading your log has been a real treat and I appreciate all the effort it has taken for you to keep this up. My wife often catches me looking at the trucks as we drive the highway, and you know you've left an impression when she says, "Hey, H&R! Is that your buddy Lyndon?"
I'm sure there are many others out there like myself who will miss reading about your life on the road.
Just want to wish you and your family all the best for the future. Good luck and thanks again for an amazing blog!
Steve (Llantrisant, the hole with the mint) Whitby, Ont.

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ruddsFebruary 3, 2009 11:51 PM
Good luck to you mate, and in a sad sort of way I think lots of people are going to miss your writeups. And thanks for all your efforts on BTA.
Who knows perhaps one day I'll be knocking on your door to buy you a beer or two.
10/10 for now mate.

Paul
Britishtruckersabroad.com

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RolandFebruary 4, 2009 2:34 AM
Lyndon,

Just wanted to say thank you and good luck for the future. You've been an impressive example of how to do the job (driving & emigrating) properly and I wish you all the best for the future.

Regards, Roland

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Adam ... ur Aussie facebook buddyFebruary 5, 2009 6:10 AM
Lyndon

Don McLean sang " the day the music died" .. well its also a sad day that this blog has ended. Im glad you wrote it as you have inspired me to take action rather than just dream of going to Canada and the States. When I finally get there will look yiu up and will bring you a bottle of Bundaberg Rum from here downunder. Once again thanks for a great blog and all the best in the future.

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didster7February 6, 2009 2:06 AM
thanks for a great read and insight into the canadian way of life, forget about the nasty comments, i for one understand the blog was about you and what you want out of life and therefore it is your opinion.
well done for making it work for you, Good luck to you and your family for the future.

all the best dave.

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BOBFebruary 7, 2009 4:07 AM
mate what can we say but a big thanks for all the info .and hope you and jan and luke have a good and happey times to come keep it sunny side up ....

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Gogo BambinoFebruary 7, 2009 7:49 AM
Ack! Thats it?!?

but but but. You can just slap "they lived happily ever after" on it and say its done! Or, can you. I think ive silently quit blogging about 5 times.

Anyways. Take care. Im still in Portland if ya ever want to stop by again.

Take Care

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TomFebruary 7, 2009 10:06 PM
Lyndon thanks for everything. I have enjoyed reading your blog immensely, hope the very best for you and your family.

take care mate.

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MartinFebruary 9, 2009 10:17 AM
Hi Lyndon,
Ive followed your side and stories since the start, It was Good and informative, Does this mean your blog ius at the end of the road?
I wish you and your Family luck and a good time for the future, hope one day to meet up with you and have a bier or two
Wish you an safe trip,
Martin ( Highlander )

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GlennFebruary 11, 2009 2:13 PM
Hi Lyndon

I checked in on your blog every week and thought it was great.
We need more hard workers like you coming over to Canada.
I enjoyed your sense of humor good luck on living the dream.

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AnonymousFebruary 12, 2009 12:53 AM
to bad this abrupt end of the storie nothing to read about the adventures of mister lyndon and how he survives the canadian way of live
your pal ronnie hamers

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JeneanFebruary 16, 2009 10:54 AM
Hi Lyndon,

You've helped me out a few time with answering my quetions. I've resently found some companies wanting bus drivers so fingers crossed!! It will a shame not being able to read any more on our trip over there. All the best to you and your family xx

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phoenixMarch 14, 2009 5:18 AM
A good view of trucking snaps. It gave me a detailed "how-to" of the immigration process. (Which is a bit more difficult in my case) My dreams are quite the same, it was good to see someone can make them real.Truck Factoring Service

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The Final Chapter & Beyond

Well folks, this is it, every story must come to an end.

This was the story of how a normal working class family from the City of Swindon in Wiltshire, United Kingdom, decided one day to sell everything they owned (almost) and jump on a plane to start a new life on the other side of the world.

Most people never understood the reason for the blog or even its real purpose so i think it may be a good time to explain now before we slip silently into the ethernet and take our place amongst the Great North American Community.

It was never about any company and it was never really about trucking. It waswas purely and simply about " Our Dream". It was about making the life choice and deciding where you wanted to be.

We never came to Canada to join H&R and we never came over so i could go sightseeing all round the US of A in a big red Freightliner. We came to Canada because we wanted to be in Canada.

Luckily i was in a trade that was required by the Canadian Government and luckily i was in the right place (give a county or two) when the Big Red Team were recruiting, luckily we found a buyer for our house in UK and luckily we found a landlord who didnt mind pets (Gizmo) in Canada. Luckily i enjoy my job and luckily my family love it here too.

Over the last 2 years i have been accused of many things and i have been the target of many rumours, stories and theories, a man of much intrigue you may say. Countless people have said ive seen the whole experience through rose coloured specs both behind my back and some actually to my face.

Im not going to admit it and im not going to deny it.................... mainly for one reason, it doesnt really matter, it was my story, my experience, and i told it my way. Practically all that has been written has been spontanious writing, no editting and no spell checking and practically no post edit, editting.

Immigrating to Canada isnt easy and its full of pitfalls and people trying to take money off you, my advice is to take all these blogs and forums for what they really are, communities populated by self proclaimed experts (including this one LOL). Please read them and take note of others who have trodden the path before you but......................................

Do your own research from reputable and official sites, if you want to know about immigration go to a Government Immigration Website, if you want to know about flights then go to the airlines website. You get the picture?

When we were in the planning stages of our move, i spent every night studying the internet, i uncovered every conceiviable angle, i asked every question i could think of to ask. I created an immigration plan and i stuck to it, every thing was thought of and i collected every document that i could possibly need.

Then we moved and i still managed to get caught out occaisionally but generally i was on top of the game.

So why did i write the blog ???

It was an information trail, to give others that follow us a guide, i like to think of it as a compass, to steer you in the general direction but the details ive left for you to sort out.

Well thats my story for what its worth, the end of the ride, and its time to move on, what does the future hold for us, who knows and to be honest who cares, life trucks on.

I would like to thank all the readers who have followed our adventures from Swindon to Raymond, youve seen our dream unfold, we wish you every success in yours in what ever you do and where ever it takes you.

Thank You Everyone.

Lyndon

Livin' The Dream

Hi folks

havent post on here for a little while, life has been a little hectic, ive been helping out and having a look at what goes on in the office. There isnt much to photograph from a desk unless you want to see the back of somebodys head so the old piccaroonies are going to be a bit thin on the ground.

I treated myself to a new car the other week so we are now a two car family again, for the first time since we left the Motherland. Ever since we have been over here i have liked the Chrysler Sebring so i thought "Sod It", and went out and got one.

So now i got a new toy......................

The weather in Lethbridge is starting to warm up now although there is still snow on the ground and some days it peeks up over the freezing point.

Alberta Bound

This hasnt had an airing for a while..............

Enjoy.

The Lomanovskis Family has Landed

Well thats it the passports are back and that night we drove down to Sweetgrass which is our loacal border crossing. We went into the States, round the flagpole, and then back into Canada to be welcomed as Permenant Residents.

So that my friends is it, we have done it. It has been a 2 year adventure, we had a dream which started back in Feb 2007 when i overheard 2 of my colleagues chatting about Canada, and now 2 years later the dream has been realised.

I really would like to offer a heart felt thank you to all of you out there who has shared this adventure with us, i would like to thank all of you who took the time to send in comments and everyone for the many emails that have been sent in.

So is this the end of the story....................................