"Saturday At Bay Bulls"

It was a foggy day indeed but we were spirited and really that's all that matters. The plan was to head up the north side and poke around the headland but we decided to cross over to the south shore and paddle to Witless Bay

Paul patiently waiting for all to board.

Mike making way out the bay.

Eventually we all gather and swarm out along the North Shore.

There were a few moments where it looked like the fog would lift. It did not.

Once over to the South shore we encountered some rock formations on the way to Witless Bay. Clyde observing something on shore.

In Witless Bay we had a lunch break and wondered about some of the flotsam. I found a pair of perfect crutches taped together washed up on the shoreline. I guess they were no longer needed. The blue bag on the back deck got a few chuckles. Gene thought it looked like a Caribou quarter. lol It is actually a paddle bag by Nigel Dennis. I use it for storing my Storm Cag on this trip.

Eugene resting in a cove after a bit of a slug we had coming round the south headland on our return from Witless Bay. I figured it would get rough when I was looking at the underside of The Gatherall's Tour boat coming out of Bay Bull's

Tony and Gene.

Ocatagon Pond KNL Safety Day A Success!

Kayak Newfoundland Safety Day at Octagon Pond

It can be about boats of course.............

Ya gotta get'em there......

Canoes too.....

Yup, looks OK on that side....try before ya buy!

people helping others is common....

Getting them there is kind a fun too....

Getting in them even better......

Some were just contemplating, like the life guard......

some were just caught candidly smiling,,,,,

others were meeting new people and introducing to club members....

some were marching to their own tune like the Cadet Band....

other photo shy people were just marching to the lake...   :-)

some were already there like Louise looking golden as usual....

There were rescue demonstrations ........

.....sample tows.......

...and of course helping hands like Darren who took time of from his Master's work to be at the pond and lending a bit of assistance......

Well how does it happen you might ask? Well it takes dedicated people like Craig here and others who strike a committee and power on against odds and obstacles. A great job  an excellent day for only an evening session and maybe next year there will be even more interest by club members to participate and show up even if you've done a rescue or two before and maybe ........because!

"Farley Mowat's House"

Finding Farley Mowat:

This wasn't as easy as we thought when we arrived in Burgeo. We knew he once had a house here. We made a few inquiries. Dorum our B&B host told us where he lived we were just typical males and drove around until we couldn't find it....then asked someone. Dorum said the house was "shrink wrapped" that means having had siding added. This takes away from the "naturalness" and originality of a place hiding in a way perhaps behind a modern shield, the individuality that is expressed by ones' home, the character and life they take on over time. Probably much like the owners I presume. Farley was an environmentalist, conservationist and author. He is known for such writings as  People of The Deer, Lost In The Barrens, Never Cry Wolf, A Whale for The Killing and The Sea of Slaughter to name a few. He is known for his controversial accounts of the impact of modern society on traditional cultures and the natural wilderness. He lived in small villages such as Burgeo, around Newfoundland and on a farm on the Island of Cape Breton in Nova Scotia. Well worth a read for sure. He was a second lieutenant in World War II and was in command of a rifle platoon and  participated in the initial landings of Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily. He has one many awards including The Order of Canada and On June 8th of 2010 would have a star added to Canada's Walk of Fame.

Ralph being as curious as he is, walked on up to his house for a closer look.  We were told it was very nice inside and bought by a neighbour whose son was moving in. Anyone home Ralph? lol

"Burgeo By Kayak"

Guess what? This is our last day. We travel a good bunch of  km to get from Wreck Island To Burgeo. Mixed with big water, undulating swell and calm barasways.

It was an 8am departure from wreck Island. I slept fitfully through the night having gone to bed early. Even missed the camp fire. Had bit of a chill as the fog rolled in, the skies over cast with periods of rain and the wind picked up through the evening. At about 3am I was awakened by the sound of waves hitting the beach that seemed intensified. Got up warily in the dark and walked down to beach to find the water washing under the stern of my boat. Ralph and Tony had secured it last evening. Ralph's boat was also having its' stern washed so I moved both boats further up beach and went back to bed relieved. Tony's boat was fine. We were anxious to get on the go and hoping weather would hold. The fog was just a km or so out to sea.

Waters were not bad at start and certainly manageable as we pass Wreck Island Harbour.

Rounding the outer rim of Green Island we begin to appreciate the increase in swell from the open ocean of the Gulf.

As we near Kelpy Cove Point the swell is ever increasing with a bit more wind.

We are exposed here and not sheltered from the SWesterlies.  We decide to paddle a bit more towards the worsening swell at the headland into open ocean.

Adjusting for taking a shot was no easy task as allot of paddles rounding Kelpy Cove Point were braces and many times my deck was a wash. We soldiered on to the bit of respite provided by the inner side of the head and Cowlest Barasway.

Later we round Barasway Point, pass by Doctor's Island and near and pass Slaughter Rock. Not sure how this rock got its' name but one can only imagine a number of possibilities in this area.

With the tougher waters behind us on this day we are lulled by the Barasway waters and can see the towers and Island of Burgeo in the far distance we are back! But not before a stop on Cornelius Island for some much needed drink and refueling.

Cornelius has this cabin in a neat little protected cove with green fields and smaller islands around. A beautiful tranquil spot before the Burgeo finish.

As I gain steam for Burgeo I take one last look behind and see Ralph and Tony rounding Cronelius Island we are off again for the final leg. I contemplate our trip, our adventure and our success and it is then that I know we have etched memories forever.

Distant Burgeo.

Tout Finis!

"Grand Bruit To Wreck Island"

This is not the exact route we took as I am sure we meandered much more but it is merely to outline our progress. It was a long paddle with a few breaks, some fog of course and some delicious sun.

After our final fairwell to one of the last residents on Grand Bruit we pushed of the slip with his help. They always help here. Ralph and Tony ready for the next leg of our journey.

The exit to GB harbour then a sharp left and we are on our way. THe sun was out and intense already this morning and a beautiful start for a paddle.

Here we are facing Three Islands and Sandbank Point in the distance. The sun direcly in our eyes and my glasses lost in Harbour Le Cou. Thank god for hat brims. As it turns out we certainly had more sun than expected and I ended up with blisters on my nose that scabbed and one on the lip.  They are just now healing. Not enough sunscreen. Who'd a thunk?

Well under way we pass a few headlands. Cinq Cerf Bay with a few Isands was interesting and waters not that bad at all nor were the winds which were still hovering around 15nts and from the SW. Couteau Head , Deep Water Point and Shot Bag Island were all navigated by the guys.

Deep Water Point I believe.

Nearing Captain's Island we had been paddling for a stretch. It was getting time to get out and stretch the legs. I looked over to Ralph and creeping behind him was none other than our coastal friend .....the fog! I told Ralph to have a glance behind him and check out the banlk rolling in. I suggested we might make it to Captain's Island before it.

This is a sandy beach on Captain's Island we spotted from off shore and Ralph noticed movement coming down the hills behind the beach. It looked like  some four legged animal with a calf. They were just strolling down their woven path oblivious to Tony who was just about to hit the beach, and he had not seen them yet at this point I don't think. There was a small knoll before the sand they had to top and they strolled down right in front of Tony still in his boat maybe a meter or so from shore. The quiet approach of a kayak had not alerted them and Tony was able to get some decent shots. It turns out they were Caribou. Tony and I have come upon them before on a previous trip in Placentia Bay. They must have crossed the narrow strip between the Island and the mainland. It was obvious they were here before from the worn trails on the island.

Remember the fog bank behind Ralph and I. We beat it by about ten minutes. We were later to navigate through this for quite a ways. Keep the land to the left and ya can't go wrong. Some sunkers and shoals with breaking waves to get through though.

All I captured of the Caribou was their hurried departure and they were quick to make for the hills. Later the stag appeared for a security evaluation of us and then they were all lost in the  engulfing fog.

With Captain's Island , Bell Head, Muddyhole Point and lots of fog behind us we broke out into sunshine for the crossing of Connoire Bay. It seemed like forever and it was hot but we sauntered onward longing for Wreck Island and what may lie there for us.

Rounding Connoire Head and Wreck Island in sight we were propelled forward with a nice gentle swell from seaward. Tony and Ralph consulting maps we headed for our camp site for the night. What a site it would prove to be, eh Guys?

Boats ashore it was time to set up camp and enjoy the declining sun . We had time to again dry gear, go for walks, collect firewood and prepare for our supper.

Tony spotted this flat shelf above the beach that was cushioned by this dry moss. Camp took shape quickly and we were delighted not to have to trek sand in and out of our tents. Good call on that Tony!

All along the way my guts were killing me. I was kept awake at nights but always seemed to get enough sleep. When I got home I did a Helicobacter Pylori Breath test on myself at work where you swallow some radioactive  carbon 14 urea and give a breath sample (because it is one of many test we do) and two hours later I had a high positive result.  I figured. There is antibiotic treatment which I am now on and feeling much better. I only mention this because at this point the guys were getting ready to eat. I wasn't hungry/ Wasn't looking forward to gut aggravation so I decided to build a sun shelter. Funny really because at first I built it into the sun. Figured 36km wasn't enough work I guess. Dah! Anyways lots of time, lots of sun and it was great to enjoy it because we didn't even have sun before we left St. John's. Coincedentally more warm sun on our trip than we had all spring. The tarp more to protect my camera equipment than me.

Seeing how I took the extra effort to bring the equipment along including a heavy tripod which on occasion in Burgeo Tony helped me lug along and I thank him for that for sure, I figured I'd stick my kayak on a rock of seaweed and snap my beautiful Nordkapp, (we all had Nordkapps on this trip) pointing to the west like some ebony magnetic needle on a compass island...........maybe I really needed food! Welsh's supposed real fruit gummies were not doing the trick. Another wicked day and another chapter in our adventure. The final leg tomorrow.