Ok, day one in Canada. Here's what I've learned so far:

Canadian Customs officers are scary people and it IS just like that Border Patrol show. Cavity search anyone? they're free!!!

Canadian bacon is the most important new treat discovered. I want it on everything from now on, even ice cream, who am I kidding? especially ice cream. guess that's why this wonderful race of people call it "meat candy", hmmmm, candy!

They DO say "Buddy" quite a lot. It's even on Sports Centre which is, by the way, the only watch-able show in Canada. I was pleasantly surprised by that one, but I'm not your Buddy, Guy!

Ice Hockey, contrary to popular belief, is a wimps sport. Give them a hurley and a sliotar with no padding and they'd poop themselves. but, alternatively, put the Tipperary and Kilkenny Senior Hurley teams on ice and we've got ourselves a game my friends.

Something that freaked me out: Jeremy kyle took a little trip to North America and decided to impart his limited, shouty wisdom on the white trash population. If you thought the cockneys were bad, sheeeesh!

Also did you know that Dunkin' Donuts has much nicer coffee than Starbucks? Oh yea, it's true and they also do donuts now, for Dunkin' I guess.

Something trippy: It's hot here. In October. There's snow on the mountains and I'm considering a game of tennis in my short shorts. It was colder in Ireland and I feel like I'm being cheated out of some snowball fights with the overly polite natives.

Which brings me to my next point: These people are ridiculously nice. They keep calling me "Mrs Laste". Ahem, Mrs Laste is my mother's name thank you very much, now gimme more of that bacon, which I believe is one of their 5 a day.

My favourite part so far? In the Canadian version of The Globe that my nice hotel people gave me, I've found at least 6 references to South Park including my personal faves, "Buddy" and "Blame Canada". I think I've found the equivalent in Canada to us being called alcoholic Paddy's, although the difference being we're secretly proud of that moniker.

All jokes aside I think this is a good move and I'll keep anyone who's interested up to date on this thing.

Now if you'll excuse me I'm gonna go see if I can find a Grizzly Bear and offer it some bacon covered ice cream. "C'mere Yogi, I have a pic-a-nic basket.