The weather is changing, slowly...

The locals have told us that it's been "unseasonably nice weather" - perhaps Toronto is being nice to us and letting us get into the swing of things a bit before we freeze to death.  It's been 15-20 degrees most days in the middle of the day, but chilly in the morning (4-6 degrees).

Yesterday was foggy on a scale that you never see in Brisbane and only see in Sydney once or twice a year:

The view from our balcony.

Next week, it looks like winter is getting down to business - forecasting highs of 8 degrees and lows of 4.  It was cold enough already!  My research has suggested that the first snows should probably hit at the end of November or the start of December, so we need to make sure we have some good winter clothes before then.  We've talked to a couple of people about winter clothing, and have been told to get a "good winter coat" and some "good winter boots".

The boots are the easiest - we've been recommended to look at ones like this:

Waterproof, big tread, high tops and lined with something warm.  They're not too expensive either, which is good.  I've also read that people tend to wear this sort of thing to and from work and keep some normal shoes at work for once they get there.  Now I just have to hope that they make them in bigfoot sizes....

Coats are more difficult.  The words are confusing - what's the difference between a coat, a jacket and a parka?  And there are so many different styles and types that it's hard to know what people will really be wearing.

There's this type, which is a "down filled parka" - I think they look ridiculous, but I imagine they're pretty warm.

And then there's this sort of thing, which is a windproof outer coat over a fleecy inner coat, and they can be worn together or separately.  

And what about work/business?  Do people wear this sort of thing, like in Sydney?

Is it warm enough?  What about if it's snowing?

It's all very confusing!  The worst part is that asking in stores is pretty much a no-no, as they'll just try to sell you whichever one they carry.

I'm sure we'll sort it out soon - there is a time-limit after all!