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Canoeing Down Under

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24.01.2022 The morning started off with a 500 metre portage. Luckily I brought the trolly so were able to wheel the kayaks. Our journey started off ok then once out of False Creek we hit 20 knot winds and a incoming tide as well as power boat wash. It was very lumpy and hard work. We manage to paddle 42 kilometres in our very heavy kayaks. We were pleased to find a home for the night but it was rocky with barnacles getting out.

23.01.2022 Today we arrived in Bella Bella to buy our last food for the two week trip ahead. We met a lovely couple on the wharf and another lovely couple at our island campsite. See you in two weeks. We are headed towards the mountains.

23.01.2022 Wednesday 7th The wind blew all night and the trees made some strange noises. By morning there was no wind but thick fog. It cleared after 2 hours. We did a detour from Johnson Strait and into smaller channels to get out of the afternoon wind. It meant more kilometres though. Thursday 8th Another foggy morning but soon cleared. The tide gives us a lift and then slows us down when paddling against it. When winds come in thats even worse. Crossing over and along the shores of ...Malcolm Island there were heaps of Killer Whales all around us. Most more than 300 metres or more but Luke got closer as he had the strength to detour towards them. What a great experience. There were also porpoises. Finished camping on an exposed beach with logs a million. Friday 11th. We reached Port Hardy after a 45km paddle and 2 weeks after leaving Vancouver. We had two nights in a hotel to resupply with food and make sure everything is okay for the next leg of our journey which is going to be pretty remote. We will have about 3 weeks of constant paddling before reaching Prince Rupert and I dont expect to have any reception after the next day or two. I havent been able to spent time returning comments due to the battery constantly needing charging and the short supply of good internet.

22.01.2022 Luke had the visitor in the night and no it wasnt his girlfriend Clare. It was a critter that ate some of his muesli bars and pitta bread putting great holes in his dry bags at the same time. Another lesson learnt. The wind was against us again but it wasnt so strong. The scenery was pretty impressive at times but there are better scenery to come. Eagles, seals and quite a few pleasure boats. I was taught a lesson at a camp we had decided to stay at. First a branch fell off... a tree and dropped down towards us and then I moved some seaweed and twigs and 3 wasps attacked, stung me and chased me off the beach. The worse sting being on the ear. They were ferocious. Give me a bear anytime. We decided to find another camp. See more

21.01.2022 Its not easy finding campsites along the way although there are campsites that BC Marine have listed which may only hold two tents sometimes more. Many can be hard to find because a lot are hidden in the trees and have hardly been used. Often we have to clamber over rocks, or oyster shells so when we find a beach its like being in paradise. Its 10.30pm and the signal is getting weaker on this island out from Bella Bella and unable to load more photos so it could be two weeks before you will hear from us again.

19.01.2022 We managed to get to look at the famous Shookumchuck Tidal rapid but unfortunately we werent there at the best time but we got the gist of how big it can get. The clouds were low when visiting the area which ruined our outlook of the mountains but it was still beautiful scenery nevertheless. We also managed to find a nice pizza to eat. For the couple of days the wind hasnt been as strong as the first two days which is a relief. Its hard work getting from the water to our ...campsites due to the tide and water going out so far and its all rocks not like our beaches in Australia. Today Thursday its raining cats and dogs. We only paddled 20 kms as we are camped at Powell River, one of the few towns we pass through. We are in a cafe having lots to eat and trying to top up my batteries. Its nice to sit on a toilet seat. Rain tomorrow and then I think its going to be better weather when we get back into the better scenery of Desolation Sound. See more

19.01.2022 It was back on the water today on the outskirts of Victoria with a paddle out to a set of islands (Chatham Island group) a few kilometres off-shore from where we are staying. Dan our guide tested the kayak that he just bought from us. The weather was perfect and we werent disappointed with the beauty of the islands and the wildlife. Tomorrow we hit the big town of Victoria and then the following day we go back and find a place to stay in Vancouver.

18.01.2022 We have been paddling roughly 40kms a day and we have reached Bella Bella so we only have two weeks left to paddle.

17.01.2022 Tuesday 6th It was a bit chillier than usual and the wind was up blowing from the direction we were headed. We had the tide with us for a few hours but you wouldnt have known. When the tide turned and started to come it the channel was rough and with the wind we were on a hard slow train to China. It was a hard slog. Still some good scenery. A boater asked us if we were okay because of the rough conditions. Even at camp it didnt stop blowing. We had 3 cubs and mama bear virtually walk through our camp. Mama bear then swam around us and walked around again. The last we saw of them were about 300 metres away walking away from us. Nevertheless our food was hoisted in the trees. Windy night.

16.01.2022 Monday 5th August The day started off on a high and finished on a high after finding our first camp with a sandy beach and no rocks to hobble over to get to shore. We had the current with us to the Hole in the Wall Channel which has a spectacular entrance, and the current got better from there. We encountered whirlpools and boils at one scenic section which put a bit of fun in the day. We filled up with water at a section a stream was teeming down a rock face. Even when we joined the Johnson Strait the scenery was still breathtaking and the weather has been fairly hot and full sunshine yet again. Why did I pack so many clothes? We did have the current against us for an hour but with islands dotted around us and a beach and a stream at the end of our paddling day it didnt really matter.

15.01.2022 Since leaving the comforts of Port Hardy we have been in the wilds with no reception. Although we have had a couple of foggy days the weather has been hot. We are still paddling in shorts and thermal which is too much some times. We have worn a cag on the foggy occasions. The weather ahead though is not looking so good.

15.01.2022 Today John and I went for a paddle around the islands near Port Hardy and met up with a few seals, eagles and birds. Tomorrow, without Luke, (who decided to change his flight and go home early,) we head to Victoria which is a city at the southern end of Vancouver Island. We are at the top end of the island at the moment. Originally we had 3 ways to get back from Prince Rupert after the trip - that was to fly (pretty boring) to take the train (much more exciting) or take the f...erry to Vancouver Island, a bus down the island and another ferry back to Vancouver. It was in Bella Bella by surprise that our route home was decided. We met a couple Dan and Sue at the wharf. After talking to them and telling them that we were selling our kayaks at the end of our journey they offered to buy all three. All we had to do was to get them back to Port Hardy (which we did by ferry) and Dan would drive up from Victoria and pick us and the kayaks up and take us to the city of Victoria where we could get the ferry back to Vancouver. Being a few days ahead of schedule we have had a couple of relaxing days. Tomorrow we leave with Dan for Victoria.

14.01.2022 Victoria. Dan who bought our kayaks picked us up at 10.00am to start our drive 600kms to the city of Victoria at the other end of Vancouver Island. We had tied the 3 kayaks on his car the night before. Our first stop was at Telegraph Cove, a resort type location where whale watchers and fisherman stay or leave from. I talked to a couple 2 days earlier and they went on a whale watching tour from here and saw heaps of whales and killer whales. Lunch was in Campbell River and later we made a detour to the Englishman River Falls. Once in the city of Victoria we toured the university grounds and visited Cadboro Bay where some of the new university students were having a party on the beach. It was then to Dan and Sues place for dinner and to stay the night. It was another enjoyable day and a big thanks to Dan and Sue.

14.01.2022 Our last morning on the high seas greeted us with a great sunrise. Prince Rupert, our destination was only 35 kilometres away and it looked as if it was going to be a fairly calm morning. The tide was coming in but as we found out it didnt seem to be against us. We paddled in pretty exposed water but with the calm conditions we had nothing to worry about apart from getting in the way of a big ship crossing the shipping channels and in the harbour. The current closer to Port ...Edward, a location near Prince Rupert did turn against us but not for too long, we were helped passed the container port and to our final destination at Cow Bay Mariner in 5 hours by an incoming tide. It was strange after 34 days of paddling a heavy sea kayak 6 to 9 hours, 30 to 45 kms a day in some of the worlds more spectacular scenery we all of a sudden stopped paddling and were perched on a pontoon at a marina and we had finished the expedition. It was thanks to Joe at the Skeena Kayaking, (who has a kayak rental company) for giving us the address of the local hostel close by. It just meant we had to walk our gear and kayaks, mostly up hill about 500 metres. The kayaks were put of my trolley and wheeled through the city streets to the hostel with odd looks from the locals. The gear was carried separately and being a very hot day it was harder than paddling. It was great to have a shower and to sit on a toilet seat but our small room was a bit tight for the 3 of us. However we made do, but can I say sleeping in a tent is much better.

14.01.2022 The good thing about having some bad weather is that the wind usually comes from south - south-east and as we are going west to northwest it helps us along. When the weather has been good we have had north-westerly winds in the afternoon which is against us. Being wet and putting wet clothes on and going to bed in a wet tent day after day really makes you appreciate being dry. It also makes you respect the old explorers and the conditions that they endured with equipment less sophisticated to what we have today.

13.01.2022 Our Airbnb host Gordon gave us a lift out to the kayak shop this morning which was very kind of him as it was a long drive in busy traffic. Jessie the owner (a lady) of Skyview Outdoors had our kayaks ready for us and what a great person she is. It was such a pleasure talking to her and scouting around her shop which had everything a paddler and camper could want. We really felt at home. I was impressed with the service and all the gear. Larry and Stephen tied the three Bore...al Designs Epsilon 200 plastic kayaks onto Larrys car whilst we shopped, talked and looked on. Larry then drove us all the way back to our Airbnb Which saved us a lot of hassle. It was then time for some more food shopping so it was another 2km walk to the shops. We then packed our food into more smaller packages and had a test run loading our kayaks hoping it would all fit. John didnt bother as he has less gear and knew it would all fit in. With the storage capacity not being quite as big as the Epic 18x I have used on the last two trips to Canada it took some serious planning to where everything should go. With it being Lukes first time loading a sea kayak he was happy to practise. The weather again was sunny and the waterway looked glorious.

12.01.2022 One more sleep and we will be away. We will have to walk the kayaks about 500 metres to find a decent spot due to the low tide and rocky, slippery slopes with barnacles. Today was another last minute shopping day and you cant believe how hard it is to buy some items, like a little old plastic mug. There was a lot of time wasted walking to shop to shop. Two years ago when we left from Thunder Bay and paddled across Canada we had Dan to drive us around so that was much easier.... I had a gook walk back from the city and across a high bridge after getting a local pre-pay SIM card for my phone. Luke and I packed our kayaks again this afternoon. Once we start loading the gear tomorrow morning we have to get everything in. By 5.30pm and 3 showers for the day, its quite hot around 28 degrees I think, we were ready to walk to Granville Tourist Island which is only 500 metres away and find something to eat. It turned out being fish and chips. Sorry to say not the best Ive eaten. Then it was to a pub for a pint.

12.01.2022 Over the years I have collected a few Newspaper Article Clippings of some of my paddling achievements. Im not sure what to do with them but I thought I would share them before they get thrown out.

11.01.2022 We usually try to get away by 8-8.30am especially on those days when we have 40 plus kilometres to do. The tide is often not in our favour but we go anyway because we will still be paddling around 8 hours to get that distance. Generally about 10am we eat muesli bars or nuts or both in our kayaks although John may eat before then. Breakfast is usually at 6.15am give or take a few minutes. We try to have lunch between noon and 1pm if there is a place to land. My lunch consists ...of flatbreads, cheese and jam and sometimes pepperoni meat sticks. John and Luke have flatbreads and other ingredients like tinned fish or something more exotic. They have more variety and a better taste in food than I. Im pretty basic when it comes to food so dinner is usually the cheap pasta meals but the other two usually have something in a can to brighten up their meals. On a couple of occasions along the way we have been able to buy a meal out. I came on the trip to lose weight, so I hope I have lost a few kilograms although by the time I get back to Perth it may be stacked on again. Being ahead of schedule means more days sight seeing and eating.

09.01.2022 A trip into Victoria City Centre was quite beautiful but also at one moment it felt life threatening. Well I might be exaggerating just a touch but for a few minutes I thought I was going to be tortured as I sat in a barbers chair. I went into a hair salon for a beard trim, the cost being $10.00 but a hair cut and a beard trim was $23.00, a bargain so I decided to go for both. I sat in the chair, the smock was put over me and then the hairdresser (male) offered to wash my ha...Continue reading

09.01.2022 Well China turned out being better than I expected. Not just the country but also my paddling. It was a great course with several technical areas that were a challenge to negotiate when there were more than two in a pack. The weather was good although windier on our K2 race. I really enjoyed my K1 race. I was left behind at the start but fought back and caught up with Ron and Kozubin the Russian paddler later on. Brian the English paddler and last years world champion was we...ll ahead so I had to focus on 2nd and 3rd place, I didnt want 4th place. With about 1.7 kilometres to go I passed Ron and focussed on Kozubin the Russian who was several boat lengths ahead. I fought hard to get over his washes and catch him up and with 1 kilometre to go I took the lead into the short lap. With a quick sneak peek behind I could see Ron was a little way back which gave me hope. Kozubin wash rode me around to the turn buoys and then with about 300 metres to go he took off like a Ferrari. I could feel his power beside me but I was determined to keep up, which I did but he was too strong at the end beating me over the line by 1.53 seconds. Although its always nice to come 1st, it was still a fantastic feeling to come 3rd and even a better feeling to beat Ron who had been stronger than me this year. I beat Ron by 18 seconds but Brian, the world champ the previous year, beat me by 1 min 49 secs so we have a little work to do. 1st GREENHAM Brian GBR 1:15:34.04 2nd VLADIMIR Kozubin RUS 1:17:21.78 3rd BOLLAND Terence AUS 1:17:23.31 4th CLARKE Ron AUS 1:17:41.81 Although we were first in the doubles race we had no competition which was disappointing, although if we had gone into a younger category we would have beaten a few doubles. Shaoxing was clean, it was full of electric scooters, recycling rubbish bins, lots of clean toilets, people friendly, good food and the marathon course was brilliant. Having heaps of WA paddlers there made it a very sociable time. Very few Chinese spoke English so it was a challenge to order food or ask a simple question but it was fun and although China has Human Rights Issues which are very disturbing China is worth a visit. Masters Results. https://www.canoeicf.com//2019_icf_masters_canoe_marathon_ https://www.canoeicf.com/canoe-marathon-master//multimedia NEWS IN: I have just found out that I have been nominated for the Paddle Australia MASTER PADDLER OF THE YEAR. Thank you to the person who nominated me. The other paddlers nominated are: Gavin Cook, Laura Lee and Matthew Rees. The winner will be announced at the 2019 Annual Awards evening Saturday 9th November in Sydney.

09.01.2022 A few more Newspaper clippings

09.01.2022 A few more newspaper article clippings.

08.01.2022 The night after leaving the Bella Bella area we had a wet time but it cleared up for the day we detoured to a waterfall which was great as it was spectacular country.

07.01.2022 Whilst we were in Powell River we ate lots but we couldnt find a place which did bacon and eggs. We were most annoyed. I left being full to the brim. After the rain yesterday and last night the forecast was for another rainy day which we were not looking for. The locals said it was most unusual to have so much rain in summer. It wasnt looking good when we got up but by 10am it was pretty bright and we were off after a long portage from the campsite. Thank goodness I brought... the trolley. The scenery got better the closer we got to Desolation Sound and the community of Lund. The were lots of power boats heading towards the sound so we are not alone, not yet at least. There was hardly any wind and what there was it was helping us along. We also got assistance from the current. It was hot as well. Real summer weather. Im on the good old cheap pasta meals and Luke is eating eggs, tomatoes, canned meat and lots of other goodies. His meals look good. I cant get those ingredients into my kayak being so full of other gear. Everything is jammed in. The kayaks have been pretty good, not as fast as my Epic but more durable although I managed to get the one with a leak in a bow handle but I have fixed it. Im sitting on an island watching the sun go down over the water. It is 8.35pm. I bet you wish you had daylight saving and could do the same.

06.01.2022 Sunday 4th August What another hot day. Summer is really here. We had very calm conditions, a bit of current against us but we still managed 40kms. The scenery was magnificent as we are still around the tall mountains of the mainland. We briefly saw a whale, two dolphins and we have a resident eagle on our island camp which is quite beautiful.

06.01.2022 I would like to say thanks to Joe from Skeena Kayaking (skeenakayaking.ca) who drove us to the ferry terminal to check to see if we could leave our boats there overnight and who drove us around town and out to his kayak rental site in a bay 14 kilometres out of town. It was great to see some of the country and have lunch with him and his friend Mike at a restaurant over-looking the marina. We talked lots and learnt a lot about things local. The following day Joe drove us and ...our kayaks to the ferry terminal to drop them off. Thanks Joe for being so friendly and accommodating. A big thanks also goes out to Jessie and Larry from Skyview Outdoors in Surrey, Vancouver, BC (skyviewcamping.com) for having our kayaks and some gear waiting for us when we arrived in Vancouver. We had great service which is a relief when arriving from another country. The Boreal Design Epsilon P200 kayaks worked extremely well for our expedition.

05.01.2022 Saturday 3rd August We had a great night on Copeland Island with the sunset and the beauty of the place. Paddling today was even better after 5 kms of paddling beside cliffs that you normally regard as beautiful. As we turned to go around Sarah Point then the scene became so much more majestic as the mountains stretched in a semi circle. To top it off 2 killer whales surface in front and behind. They didnt hang around long but at least we have seen a killer whale. There were... lots of boats about and when we reached a group of islands in the Desolation Sound Park you could see why they came. It was a beautiful area but unfortunately it was filled with several million dollars boats. Nevertheless you couldnt but love the scene. Im writing this next to a fresh water stream. Very cold to bathe in. We are surrounded by mountains and Mount Denman a pointy mountain is just over the ridge. It is a mountain hard to take our eyes off whilst paddling. See more

05.01.2022 We travelled back to Port Hardy on the way back to Vancouver on the ferry going over some of the route we had taken by kayak. Looking out of the window seeing all the scenery go by was pleasant but it wasnt the real deal. I didnt get that feeling of being close to nature, fighting or just experiencing the weather elements should it be the sun, the wind or the rain or feeling the coolness and spray from a waterfall. That 16 hours on the ferry, which I say was very comfortab...le, just confirmed that looking from a boat didnt give me the real experience, the feeling of being in the clouds, or seeing them hover, or staring blindly into the fog, or hearing the blow of a whale or seeing a jumping fish but most importantly sitting on a boat didnt give me that sense of achievement. When Im kayaking I forget that Im nearly 70 years old but sitting on a boat looking into the reflection of a window and seeing myself inactive and old looking it is a reminder that life should not be wasted and every opportunity, be it for a few hours, a few days or a few weeks should be taken to get out into a wilderness. If you are fit or you have the capacity to get fit, no matter how old you are why sit on a boat when you can paddle and really feel the true nature of the outdoors.

05.01.2022 Although we had some wet days the scenery continued to be exceptional.

04.01.2022 When there is a lot of rain it brings the best out of the waterfalls and it also means we have a stream of water at our campsite. We had to carry quite a bit of water for the first 3 weeks but we had no trouble finding water in the last week or so. Every night there is a heavy dew so even if it hasnt rained the tents are wet and everything including our clothes are damp. One day Luke commented - there water everywhere, from the sky, from the ocean, from the creeks, even from the seepage through the sand and to top it off all the water on our clothes and gear. But saying that - we are out here to experience the wilderness and what it throws at us and it is great to be here enduring the conditions. We will always remember this last week.

03.01.2022 It was a big effort today leaving the campsite on the low tide. Crevices and barnacles and slippery rocks. For the first hour we had the wind with us but once we started paddling along the coastline we hit the head wind yet again. We saw seals and eagles and lots of fine houses taking up the shoreline. Eventually we found a section of coast without a house. We didnt get as far as we wanted but it was good to be able to find a spot without a house. After landing Luke and I h...ad a swim and then he walked into the community and brought us back a beer. He passed his first major test. Luke is so fast he takes off and when he is well in front he turns around and does some downwind training. We havent let him tow us yet but that might be the only way to slow him down. Luke failed in the photography test today. He took a picture of John and I drinking a beer and he captured us waist up and a lot of sky. He tried again and did a better job. He is pretty organised though and as many know loves his food. He came back with a lamb chop tonight and a dozen eggs which he has just boiled up.

03.01.2022 If you think other people are interested in this trip dont hesitate to share it. Nearly every day we see whales casually making their way up the channel we are in. One whale stayed in the same spot opposite our camp for hours and Im sure it was there when we got up. We followed it for over an hour. Another morning just after taking off we saw about 6 killer whales cross of path. Its days like these, especially when we get some impressive scenery as well that we know that we are seeing something special.

02.01.2022 A few More Newspaper articles.

01.01.2022 Misty mornings usually turn into calm days. I chose to paddle from Vancouver north because it was easier to organise. That meant we would be pushing against the prevailing winds and very often the tidal currents as well. It was another test of endurance and what they say no pain no gain. I dont think the guys appreciate my planning some days!!

01.01.2022 With Prince Rupert now only two days away it was great to see a black bear and her cub turning over rocks looking for food on the shoreline. We crept up and we were only metres away when they realised we were there. They looked and looked and wondered what we were. I can understand why they seemed stunned seeing us gawping at them. The encounter made our day. It stopped raining that day as well so it was a day to remember.