"Ya Gotta Love It !"

 If everyone kayaked, you wouldn't need wars, we'd all be too busy jerry-riggin' something or talking about kayaking if we weren't actively doing it. I've ben involved in other sports, basketball, fast-pitch, hockey, football even, of the flag variety, wally ball this is fun, Frisbee, golf, and racket ball but there is something obsessive about kayaking. Kind of like if you enter into the realm of it, you immediately activate a dormant gene or something and all these internal wheels and cogs Begin to align and spin and there ya are........yaked!

"Pouch Cove to Bauline, Newfoundland"

 The blue Chart data from an excellent paddle today.

"Pouch Cove, Newfoundland"

 Tony and I were off for another adventure today. We decided to put-in at Pouch Cove and paddle to Bauline on the opposite side of the Avalon Peninsula today rounding Cape St. Francis in the process. It was very confused waters from Pouch all the way to Cape St. Francis but once we rounded the cape we were treated to some fine paddling into a light head wind that soon picked up intensity with gusts and persistent rain. Just the right conditions for an excellent day on the water. About an 18km paddle. I always like to do something on remembrance day to challenge myself, a bit of an offering of sorts and my way of remembering those who fell and those who did not. When I was a scout I used to lay a wreath for my grandfather but as I got older I settled for the privacy of my own way and my own thoughts.

"Beating The Surf"

 We had timed when the surf came pounding in at our put-in spot today in Pouch Cove. They came in a pattern of fours huge crashes and the a lull of about 30 seconds, then four more crashes of thunderous surf. It was manageable and we got out unimpeded by the potential for catching a rogue crasher. A neat little seal launch off the dock sent you flying into the opening of the cove.

"Bicayan Cove Approach"

 Just before you hit Cape St. Francis there is Biscayan Bay which was homesteaded years ago during the fishery I believe but now is an area for small "huts" and little cottages that enjoy the isolation of being tucked away from the mainstream of community life and the solace that comes with walks along the rugged coastline that is most of the landscape on the Avalon Peninsula.

"Cape ST. Francis Light, Newfoundland"

 Tony setting a line of site for rounding the cape. We stopped to take a few shots but there was lots of confused seas to say the least. I usually hike here on Remembrance Day for some reason. I like the exercise of climbing round the hills and smelling the salt water. I'd go down by the shore and cook up some lunch in an old rickety shack weathered on the shore there. Today, this year it was rounding Cape St. Francis in my kayak. AN excellent paddle it was. Excellent company again with Tony of course. We invited others but there was no takers today, so off we went.

"Cripple Cove"

 Just after rounding Cape St. Francis you come upon Cripple Cove, I guess getting ensnared in here can perhaps do that to a boat. Just off this little reef though the rebound waves gave ya a good push to send you on the rest of the way around Cripple Cove Point.

"Fresh Water Falls"

 Tony took a little dip under here. I passed for just the picture.

"Focused"

 Sometime when you paddle you get into a zone, I guess most times this is the norm. When you paddle with someone often you know or learn how to read them. For instance you know when they are in their zone, their cadence, their kayaking space, this is what makes paddling with others also fun is to have the solitude of the paddle when you want it and the camaraderie of the paddle when little chats and over the wind yearns are essential when enjoying the paddling company of others.

"Headland Bound"

 One headland after another as we make our way to Bauline. Tony mentioned that the hills descending to the ocean below reminded him of New Zealand. Paddling the western side of the Avalon Peninsula was calm for the most part today but the winds did pick up with intermittent but persistent gusts that kept you vigilant lest your paddle be wretched from your grip. The rain was not too heavy but was more soothing than bothersome. It was starting to get cool however when we hit Bauline. It is nice to be able to hug so closely to the shore as the rebound waves will push you along and seeing how we were in the lea of the land it was a nice cruising pace.

"Fishing Island, Bauline, Newfoundland"

 Just a little Island as you approach Bauline from the north. Loaded with seagulls that disspated in the sky once they became aware of our arrival. The sun was actually trying to poke it's head out for the first time, little more than an attempt.

"The Slip, Bauline Newfoundland"

 Bauline was our take-out today on a paddle from Pouch Cove. Bauline is a very small village nestled in the cliffs of the western side of the Avalon Peninsula, The Bell Island side. It is roughly 18.2 km from Pouch Cove on the eastern side of the Avalon Peninsula. A welcomed site after about a 2 hour paddle from Cape St. Francis in headwinds and strong gusts with persistant rain. Tony and I enjoy paddling in this climate though, tends to be refreshing. We were four hours straight in the boat. Getting primed for open crossings next year. Anotehr end to a wicked paddle.

"Undulations"

 As I was trying to shoot a vertical profile of the side of my boat and Tony ahead of me the undulating waves washed over the camera somewhat and this was the effect, infocus on one side and "in waved" on the other. Harf and Harf.

"St. Phillips Put In, Newfoundland"

 The start of a great paddle always begins with the first stroke. Just before launch on a rainy Saturday in Newfoundland.

"Wave Splatterings"

 ome coastal slosh at Portugal Cove. There was lots of rock hoppin' today and lots of excitement.

"Headlands"

 It's adventurous when you paddle from Portugal Cove and north along the shore because there always seems to be another headland to round. We didn't quite get to Bauline as we were to hungry. We did linger in this area though as a Humped Back passed right under my boat and surfaced partially near Tony and then stuck out a fluke as if to say good by and bloody well took off before we could even take a picture. A true whale story though. Surprised they are still around at all.

"Cruisin' In Portugal Cove , Newfoundland"

 Tony ripping by in fine form. I love the earthy colors that were visible today. Remnants of autumn still lingering on our shore.

"Lunch Landing"

 Well looking to Portugal Cove as we pig out on Tony's sandwiches.

"Splasher"

 We were sitting in Portugal Cove on a beach having a lunch break and watching the last bit of high tide swell up around our eating area. I thought jeez, there might be a picture here. I decide to sacrifice myself for a wet shot hoping like heck that I wasn't gonna get washed out. I have to say though that for November in Newfoundland the lake waters are colder than the ocean water.

"Choppy"

 Just a bit of lop on the way back from Little Freshwater Cove. Just out for a casual paddle with my pal Tony. Just a super paddling day.

"...May The Force Be With You...."

 Malcolm mastering the force of gravity and executing a sculling brace at the pool last evening. My first session for the new season and there is lots I hope to work on this year. Good to see newcomers out tackling rolls. The club is very much alive and well.

"I saw these two Clowns today...."

 and they were looking for the "eye clinic", seeing how the Nuc Med dept. is just next door to it I showed them the way. They were grateful and said they'd be keeping an "eye out" for me in the future. lol. I was having such a hectic day today and they just happened by. I had to chuckle at them but in retrospect the joke was on me. I thought they really were going to the eye clinic as part of a birthday joke or something as I type this I am realizing I've been duped. They must have seen I needed a laugh. Just thought I'd share the humor....especially at my expense. Dah!!!!

"It's A Big Ocean Out There"

 Philosophically and metaphorically it really is, tread lightly and leave a small footprint........wake!

"A Paddling Team"

 Summer reflections as I focus on the coming new year and the new adventures that always lie just beyond the next headland. Neil and Isabelle are always fun to paddle with and there is always room for laughter and light harded jibbing.

"Down Over The Hill, Canso Nova Scotia"

 I took this after an evening paddle out around Chedbucto Bay this past summer. I guess it was bound to happen. Woke up to a bit of snow on the ground and frost everywhere. It sure was a great paddling spring, summer and fall here in St. John's Newfoundland. Started off with pack ice and a bit of paddling around the rotting stuff. Then came the plentiful icebergs close to 500 or so made their way down Iceberg Alley this past year. Had a beautiful month of July paddling in Nova Scotia and around Newfoundland. August was a wet month and Autumn here was spectacular. All in all a great season and still room for a few more paddles yet.

Pool sessions have started and I probably will do my first tomorrow. How the time flies!!