Sunday, 28th September.
Grace for the last time this year. A baptism
and most of the service, including the sermon, in French. Which I found a bit difficult to be
honest. But the little family were very
happy which is what it’s all about.
And then home in a hurry to welcome Pam and Noel
before out again for supper at 1939; the end of expedition feast. Sadly, a number of people were unable to come
so we were only 10 in the end, but it was good to make official celebration of
the end of our trip - and trip.
There are some people without whom the trip from Here to the Kids’ place –
Chapleau to Roncesvalles - would not have been possible:
Jeremy and Rachel who taught us how to portage and wild camp;
Ann Dubras,
transporter, encourager, rescuer and friend.
Ann, you are much missed;
Stephen Lisney, Eminence Gris and counsellor on all things paddling and
outdoors. A huge debt of gratitude for
years of friendship and support;
the man at one of the locks on the Rideau canal who said, “You’ll be able to
say that you paddled the Rideau in a boat that you built!”;
Eunice and Jim at Buckhorn, such important folks in those journeys;
Carol and Frank who let us use their cabin at Clear Lake when we were
benighted;
Ron and Cheryl at Hiawatha1st Nations on Rice lake who brought their golf buggy
down to the water’s edge when we were so very tired;
Karen and Denis, who paddled a big section of the Rouge with us and transported
us and have been a constant support;
David and Rebecca who paddled Brébeuf to Rapides du Diable with us (and quelled the lawn in our absence!);
David and Denise who made us welcome and guided us through Dog Rapid;
Turtle, the raft captain at Rafting Nouveau Monde for two brilliant trips;
Carole Westwood who taught us how to paddle white water – a bit - but, more importantly,
how talk to each other in the boat, and elsewhere, too!
And thank you all to countless other people who have been there when we needed
them. The lockmasters; the shop keepers;
the B and B hosts; the winemakers; the man who sent his labourer to help me to repair
my bike in Bath, outside Kingston on the shore of Lake Ontario; the people who
confirmed directions when we were in doubt, and so many more.
To you all; thank you.
Home for champagne and long, long sleep.
