Salvage
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Another incredible day! I rose early, well rested in a warm, dry twine shed in Keels, surveyed the sea and decided to head out against a moderate wind. As usual, the wind did a 180 on me. I was making a 12 km crossing towards Salvage. The southwest wind died, and then a stronger northeast wind stirred up. During the crossing, I heard a "whoosh". I looked carefully, and saw the almost invisible plume of spray from a minke whale. The whale was about 100 m to the port side of my kayak.
With choppy seas and the thought of another 20 km of paddling into headwinds that could easily grow in strength, I decided to pull into the sheltered harbour of Salvage. What a beautiful village, with numerous stages sitting on weathered posts on the water. As I was approaching Salvage, a small fishing boat zoomed up to me to check that I was ok. It was Bill Mercer and companion. When I arrived in the harbour, I found Bill unloading his catch of crabs. His wife Michelle replenished my water supply, and Bill gave permission to stay in his storage shed. As I was eating lunch, Lynn Ball, a semi-retired photojournalist from London, Ontario (That's where I'm from!), invited me to stay in his house that he rents out to vacationers! How unbelievable. I have a million dollar view over a picturesque fishing village, where crab, capelin, and a small amount of cod are caught. Lynn has recently published a book of his extraordinary photos taken over a lifetime as a photojournalist, including stunning images of numerous dignataries. www.presspass.ca
The only moment of the day that totally annoyed me was when my latex neck gasket ripped...again, for the second time on this trip. Though I am extremely careful, and wear no sharp jewelry, I have managed to blow two gaskets in under a month and a half.
High winds are predicted for tomorrow. It wouldn't be so bad to be stranded in a humble abode all for myself. I'm off for a walk. Who knows what I'll find as I continue my journey on foot? I wish to thank Lynn for his generosity. The hospitality extended to me continues to be mind boggling. I am blessed and am truly glad that I have chosen to go "Round the Rock"!
9 Comments:
Hello Wendy
Still monitoring your travels. Good going girl. I guess you repair your own neck gasket eh?
Ralphieboy
Wendy,
you'll need an even bigger pot than we already missed for cooking lobsters to cook THAT crab! Iiiihhh!
Keep on going!
Freya
nice pics. You look like your having so much fun inspite of how hard the paddeling must be with that good old newfie wind! Of course its that positive nature about you that will get you to the finish line! god bless!:)
Hi,
If you're handy, you'll fix that neck thingie with the handy man's secret weapon - duct tape!
Keep your paddle in the water!
Red Green
Great going, Wendy! We were at a rescue clinic tonight, with Alex McGruer, etc., and lots of folks are talking about your incredible progress and following the blog - must be very close to 1/2 way home...
Salvage is indeed a beautiful place, just across the bay from Eastport, which I left just this morning - really sorry to have missed a chance to see you.
Re the neck gasket - just a thought - fly oil or suntan lotion can, I understand, cause deterioration...any chance that's part of the problem?
Take care out there.
Rick
Nice crab! That makes up for the one that got away hands down. Can't wait to read about your next days island hopping - a crossing peppered with islands!
Patsy
Hi Wendy,
Glad to see you stopped in Salvage. What a grand spot!
I had trouble with sunscreen (Ombrelle) ruining my neck gasket. I suspect the grease in many waterproof lotions is hard on latex. I switched to non-oily sunscreen. You have to re-apply it at lunchtime, but that is not a problem.
Neil
Wendy, you've always gone wherever the wind or whim has taken you.Thank goodness it took you to Salvage! Every bay you put behind you gets you closer to your goal... but it's exciting to hear that you're having such a great time getting there. We love you back home and are always with you in spirit!
Wendy, if you can get your hands on a small tube of Aquaseal and some scrap latex (from an old seal) you'll be able to make ugly but sturdy temporary repairs in the field.
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