Back in Canada

 

Loving being back in Canada with friends, party's, Halloween, River kayaking, cold wet sea kayak training days and the wildlife. Salmon a running the streams, and Bears a gorging before the winter sets in.

Amanda and I after a Mountain Bike mish in the rain

I have been Paddling and climbing in Powell River with my mate Jason which was a wonderful time of comrade.I headed to Vancouver island and in Courtney I made some new friends, Amanda from Oz took me Mountain Biking in Cumberland, a wet and wild trip, and then I Went to the Puntledge river Yesterday with Drew. We surfed for the afternoon in sea kayaks, stand up boards and white water kayaks on a nice clean wave on the fast flowing dam release river and came off tired and sore, happy to get dry and warm and eat the wonderful soup his girlfriend made from scratch that day.

Jason Dunkley on our Salmon Stream mission in Powel River

I am now cross training as well, with as many other activities as possible, Mountain Biking, Climbing, Yoga, weight training, running. I plan to get a big sea kayak paddle in every Second third day, Yoga every day, light weights every second day and the other activities spread through it all as they come up.

Map of the Route

Here is a map showing the trip route and the six legs.

New flight plans to NZ

Ok I am in Wales right now, Fly out to BC in 4 days and I have been looking into flights to NZ. Looks like I will be heading off from BC about 18 days earlier as I can save about $1500nz by flying out well before Christmas. I am disappointed to be loosing out on so much time training in Canada, though it will help me get things sorted in NZ more before I get under way after Christmas.  
Plans are now to fly to NZ Dec 5th.

It also looks like i am not going to be joined by my French Canadian friend Manuel, my new possible team mate is now Dave Briggs also Canadian. He hopes to join me at the end of Jan, after finishing work in Belize Central America. There had also been talk between me and another kiwi Tim about joining forces to kayak around NZ starting in Nov 27th, after some careful consideration I do not want to take it on, and his plans do not really take into account another paddler and will be a hassle to change. Tim also plans to really push it around NZ ( he is aiming at 3months) and I really want to take my time and enjoy this trip. so I wish him well and I hope I get to paddle with him some where along the way. Tim's site http://www.nzkayaker.com/journal

I have had a great time Paddling in Croatia, Monte Negro and The UK. looking forward to getting back to BC for some serious training and white water kayaking!

J