Even the rivers freeze when it gets this cold

At -30 degrees centigrade, it is too cold to snow but it’s also too cold for the snow which has fallen to melt. It is too cold to grit the roads and instead the snow is just piled up at the sides.

Now that it is about -10 degrees centigrade again, it has begun to snow more. But by Christmas Eve, the temperature is predicted to go down to -27 degrees centigrade again.

The only way to describe it is simply “really really cold”. The first breath you take when you go outside hurts. But it is a different kind of cold to the UK. While you are extremely cold outside, as soon as you get indoors, you warm up straight away.

This is due to the very dry conditions, which means lip balm and constant application of hand cream is a necessity. We also use a humidifier at night because it is so dry and we need some moisture in the air.

Driving on the roads can be a bit difficult and you have to watch for other cars skidding, but as long as you have winter tyres, it’s fine if you are careful.

It certainly doesn’t stop anyone doing anything or stop them driving to where they need to go. We will be driving from Moose Jaw to Banff for New Year, which will take about eight hours.

It’s funny how quickly you get used to everything being white and it just becomes ordinary.

But having a snow covered landscape does make everything look very pretty and it’ll be my first real white Christmas.