Days 4 & 5: Montague - Shingle Beach, N. Pender Island, Rain, Wind, finally sun! 17, 10 NM, 20 kms

This is my view as I sit here on a beautiful beach writing...pretty amazing huh?! 

We are on North Pender Island and I'm sitting here reflecting on the past two days while Rob catches a few zzz's. Clearly we have found our rhythm...Geoff blogs, Rob goes to sleep. Ha! We will get along just fine on Camino. We've already set up camp, had a beer or two and lunch and now I'm sitting on this great beach. Pretty perfect. Spectacular even!

Our stay on Galiano at Montague Harbour was memorable for a variety of reasons. We had the same camp for two consecutive nights, the weather was nice the first afternoon, cold and wet yesterday with lots of wind and an opportunity to let ourselves settle a little after the first 64 kms. It's been great and Rob has been a good teacher as I strive to learn more each day. I feel like I'm on a week long how-to kayaking course. The funny thing is that I actually am!

What a weather go round! We have had rain, sun and winds each day. The water has gone from smooth as silk to choppy and uneven. Add in the ferry waves today and it's been a real hodgepodge. A great way to be exposed to many things and to expand my limited experience. Rob has been the chef and that would make me the chief bottle washer! No problem with that. The food has been well planned and prepared by Rob...just excellent camp meals! 

I have even been the recipient of Rob's coveted cinnamon buns! 

We really do thought it out here! 

We managed to get out for a hike yesterday. It was very windy and cold at the camp yesterday...freezing actually. We managed 12 uphill kilometres to the Hummingbird pub where we picked up emails, had a great lunch, watched Portugal and Iceland play Eruo2016 football and charged our equipment as much as possible. 

We were offered a ride while on the road by a local couple. Very nice of them, but when we explained that we were on our way to the pub for lunch they agreed that it was probably a good idea to get a jump on wearing off the anticipated meal! Turns out they were right! We walked back in the rain and enjoyed the local scenery...   Only on the Gulf Islands!!

We spent the rest of the afternoon in our respective tents sleeping. It was so cold the night before that my light Camino bag couldn't keep me warm and sleep was patchy at best. After that Rob cooked us another great meal and by that time the wind was up and I was wearing most of my layers to keep warm. I finally gave into it and put on my long john base layer that I sleep in deciding that there's little point in freezing. We made hot tea after dinner and taking our folding mat chairs we crossed over to the west beach and arrived in time to catch the sun set. 

Excellent end to the day. We returned to camp which was again freezing and windy and using an empty wine skin and the iPad cover that Caitlin made for me out of Buffalo wool, a hot water bottle was developed and put in the end of my sleeping bag. I pulled on my wool cap, socks, base layer, fleece coat and crawled in with my hot water bottle. Toasty! 

This morning, better rested we were up relatively early (6:30) and packed our gear between light rain showers. The day looked more promising, but the weather forecast wasn't very promising. There had been a water funnel warning posted yesterday. Like I said, weird weather this week. Today the for caste was for rain showers, possible thunder and showers plus a risk of hail. Not west coast weather!! We headed off without rain on glass like water.

We followed some cliffs for a way taking our time as there was lots of sea life to see along the way...otters too!

Then as we waited for the huge ferries to pass...huge from way down here that is...the rain began and the cold air began to blow in from Georgia Straight. We are delighted that we didn't head out there as had been our plan yesterday. Too exposed and cold the next few days.

With the tide flooding and the current across the mouth of Active Pass we had some fun racing across after the two ferrys kicked up the water nicely! As we got to the other side it was a battle against the current to get around the point...but it was fun! The wind them kicked up a notch and the rain became heavier so I put my camera safely into a wet bag and from then on we just paddled along the shoreline of Mayne Island before crossing Navy Channel to North Pender. It was a fair paddle along this stretch and butts were getting ever more painful I can now reveal. Wow! Saw a nice seal colony along the way...camera out again for just a moment.

We were both pretty happy to get here and into dry clothes. Of course as we arrived the sun came out and has stayed out drying our gear and taking the dampness out of everything else.

A great lunch on the beach and then off to our respective beach spots...one to sleep, one to write. This life style is setting me up for my Camino. Strangely similar and yet different. We are thinking of staying at this new kayak camping area for two nights and hiking the island tomorrow. Will let you know what we decide. Having a great time! Neil, sorry to hear you have returned south to Ozzie winter again, and Ken looking forward to catching up on your last two days...trust all is well with you. Annemarie hoping you are having fun in Oregon!

Fall out of the boat with a sore bum, take a can of pain killer and wait 5 minutes!!