Expedition Canada

Rain a week away Thu Sep 22 After the smoke smog - Twin Creeks Mill in Langdale W hen I started this update on Sept 12  Vancouver Island had not been visible for several days due to smoke from multiple forest fires in BC and across the US border in Washington state.  There was a faint hint of smoke in the air.  Environment Canada issued a ‘poor air quality’ statement, recommended no outdoor exercise and closing doors and windows.  Sunday 11th, our usual racing wasn’t happening as the boat owner was away.  One of the regular crew and I took out a club boat with the aim of sailing up West Howe Sound.  As we left the harbour the end of Keats Island was barely visible in the smoke haze, we could not see Gambier Island only five and a half kilometres away.  Our plan to sail around Gambier was abandoned as the wind dropped right off and we motored back into the main channel and in the end, back to Gibsons.  We both went home with sore throats. Stage 4 W...

...... Long Live the King Mon Sep 12 CBC's Latest Coverage Eight hours behind the UK, we wake to the early afternoon news. Not having access to the domestic UK news output, we are dependent on BBC World and the North American equivalents, and not so equivalent!.  There is no Sky or ITN. The announcement on Thursday by the Queen’s medics of concern over her health, had just been aired as we surfaced.  The understated nature of the statement added to the gravitas of the moment. BBC World, the Canadian news networks (CBC, Global, CTV) as well as the US news networks all carried the same stream of the gates of Balmoral and grim-faced Royals being driven into the estate.  After years working in a news environment, I spent several hours hopping channels Mid-morning locally and the news everybody seemed to be expecting, but did not want to hear, flashed up on the screens and presenters made the sad announcement.  Whilst I was unsurprised by the Canadian networks continuous ...