Daylight

It’s becoming rather obvious that we’re headed into the deep dark depths of winter here. I mean we’re a long way from truly being there given that its only November, but the signs are certainly there.

I’ve been leaving early for work (like between 5 and 5:30am) because there’s been industrial action blocking the entrance to site, which if you’ve read about the traffic here, you’d realise that it causes the problem to spill out onto the highway and cause chaos for one and all.

And of course when you leave at that time of day, there’s no light, it’s pitch black. Then the first indication that you have that things aren’t quite what they used to be is when you are sitting at work and realise that the sun is just starting to have an effect on the shading of the sky and its already 8am.

But then you get to enjoy the nice sunny sky as you work your way through the day until again you happen to notice that the sky has darkened and apparently night has descended upon you. The temptation is of course to pack up the computer and head off home. At least, that’s the temptation until you glance at your watch and realise that it’s about 4:15pm! Bugger, not time to go home yet.

I can't wait until we hit the shortest day of the year (in about a month!).

So the other day I had a meeting in town and didn’t drive out to the site until after 8am (can’t remember the last time that I did that … I think it must have been the first day that I went to site). It was quite enlightening to do the drive in daylight again. The first delight was driving across the bridge that spans the Athabasca river. It’s almost completely frozen over now and with the snow having built up on all of the frozen bits it’s a fantastic scene upon which to cast one’s eye.

And then I got to drive along the highway, following the valley between the trees, which having lost their leaves, are now gorgeously decorated with snow. It’s one of those things that manages to continue to surprise me about this place. For all the stress that’s work and the struggle that Fort McMurray can become, the natural beauty that surrounds us is gorgeous.