Nov 1

I really want to thank all those who have made my boating experience a special one: firstly, to Pat and Kerry, who have been with me, beside me and behind me since the dream took shape; secondly to Nick and Chris, who I met by chance, in a small mooring near Warwick. Instant friends, with the supporting efforts that are such a part of the boating community; thirdly to the bell ringing community, with people from far and wide across the UK- those in Braunston that started me on that journey (Peter Wenham, now deceased, Pat Milner. Geoff and Carole Pullin, the team in Steveston, the team in Daventry, and the list continues…). And then those in France: the Pont-a-Bar folk, those at Toulouse (Nellie, Arthur, Max, and the rest of that crew), and those I have met along the way (sorry, too numerous to mention by name).

I have had an exceptional experience: seen and learned about a cultural series of things that native Canadians can only imagine or read about; experienced conditions and situations that no boating course could really prepare one for; and, enjoyed the company and experiences of people from an extraordinarily diverse set of backgrounds. The whole thing has been a really great experience.

But, now I move on. Covid has changed the world for me. No longer able to cruise into a town and meet people, no longer able to ring with folk in a new place, no longer able to welcome guests aboard; it is time to move on.

And so I am: Canada awaits and onwards I go. Thanks for following. The blog won’t die- it will just change from a boating travelogue into a different form. I hope you will follow along. Thanks for doing so in my journeys. Take care.