The Wild Coast of Vancouver Island

Right before Victoria the wild has disappeared. Weekend- and summer-houses make it hard to find a good place to spend the night. Total calmness has disappeared here too. The number of motorboats going by is too high. Or am I just spoiled?

Andreas already saw me from the harbour and expects me at "Ocean River Sports". Here I can leave my boat secure for two days and allow myself two days of easy going in Victoria. It will be the first day without paddling. The sun shines. It is a great day. I receive a couple conmgratulations for circling Vancouver Island, which I basically achieved now. It feels good. I invite my friends to dinner at "Pluto's" in the evening. I almost feel at home here. I live with Carol and Andreas for two days and I spend my days with walks around town, drinking coffee, eating in restaurants and sitting at the harbour. Life can be so good. Right here, right now, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

I still have enough time and I decide to finish my journey where I started it. In Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver. That is why I have about 120 miles ahead of me. 120 miles from Victoria through the Gulf Islands. To me an important stop is Saltspring Island. That is where Gary and Anna live, who I still want to visit. In Fulford Harbour i find a road and a phone is not far. Anna picks me up with the car half an hour later. She still has the kayak roof rack on from the last tour. We sit in the kitchen with Gary drinking coffe another 30 minutes later. After a long shower we go on a trip to a nearby mountain, on which you can see all overSaltspring Island and until Vancouver Island. We have Lamx, beans and potatoes for dinner. We talk a ll night with a bottle of red whine.

Gary drives me back to my boat the next morning and I head to Vancouver.
Back in Germany, I will miss the Canadian hospitality. However, what counts is here and now.
I am force to spend a night on land on Texada Island. Strong wind blows from southwest right into my little bay. I hope the water will not come up far enough to drown my tent. Not a good feeling at all.

Everything goes well, although the waves stop seven feet from my tent and water splashes on my tent off and on.
I am able to go on the next day. Like on the first day I paddle the last day with Edwin again. We met on Keats Island and today, on the 20th of September, we will close the circle around Vancouver Island. Unfortunately it rains. It rains without break since last night. Not very strong, but consistent. My third rainy day in six and a half weeks. The weather was on my side. The driest and warmest summer during the last 60 years! Soaking wet but very proud and satisfied I step out of my kayak in Horseshoe Bay.