Journey so far

We've had some excellent paddling up until now. The trip today from Shelter Point to Heriot Bay (thanks Jon and Jackie Watson for a front lawn to camp on, fabulous coffee, good beer and a great early-morning send-off) was a bit more work as we headed into a strong ebb and a fairly brisk northwesterly, but rounding Cape Mudge was thankfully less trouble than we thought.

Lots of wildlife. Large numbers of eagles (some being mobbed by seagulls), herons, scoters (surf, white-winged and black), harlequin ducks, mergansers, and even a lone pair of buffle-heads (the rest have gone north). We also know why seal bay is so-named!

This is our first opportunity to thank our families and friends for the great send off, Comox Paddlers for coming out in force, Janice and Kim from Rhodos for supplying fortifying pre-launch coffee, Gary and Brenda Olenik for the faux champagne, Comox Valley Kayaks, Jill Blacklock and Sharon Crowe for the special equipment, and Sally Alton for the on-water delivery of some fantastic fruit cake. It was wonderful to see Dave Musgrave and Don Lockwood at Kitty Coleman - thanks for the beer (most of the trip will be dry - no room!).

Very special thanks to our long-time paddling buddy Brent Arnold who launched with us and paddled on day 1 and day 2. We hope you can catch up with us for more days on the water during the trip.

We are staying with great friends Jill and Charlie for two nights. We found on our last trip that planned pauses are invigorating and very necessary. So - NO Spot tomorrow.