A dream island in Canada!

9th October 2008
A strange serenity overcame me tonight, a feeling of such peace I couldn't go to bed without attempting to put it down on paper!

The feeling of peace on this island is so rare I am in awe of its presence.
And present it is. In every tree, every forest, on the stoney gravel beaches, the gentle icy cold crystal clear water that lap the ancient shores, the wild life, the animals that will eat out of your hand. I am in awe of it all.

Today began as usual, I woke in the loft type bedroom looking up through the window skylight in the ceiling to the giant fir trees guarding the house.
Their gentle branches were silent and still. The stormy wind from yesterday had blown itself out and the day was clear. The gentle sun warmed the morning and I heard my host rattling with the fire heater, most of the wood would have burnt away overnight. Summer was over and the Autumn chill was in the air.

We decided to row around the island today. I have never rowed before. Needing the exercise I decided to give it a go, taking care of my shoulders. Tomorrow morning will tell if I overdid it!
We rowed over to Seal Rocks, a colony of the cutest and smelliest seals. They were lazing in the sun and immediately dropped into the water as we entered their zone! Their very cute faces bobbed on the surface as they followed our dingy around the island. It was mirror calm. The giant bull kelp floated in large groups and we managed to row around it. It was delightful to see the island from the water and I managed to take some great photos of the house from that side. There are seven beaches on the island mostly covered in gravel and rough sand, most are littered with incredible pieces of timber swamped up from logging areas and forests. So much so that Phil has been able to build his front porch and sun room from large logs salvaged from the beach. You really have to admire this man, an ex Navy test pilot, gathering huge beached logs, cutting them into planks or using them for ceiling joists, often doing this work on his own.

The day floated by today, not sure where it all went, but by late afternoon we decided to bbq the bucket of huge oysters our skipper gathered in the morning on what he calls Sunset Beach.
He lit a large fire and we sat there watching the sun's descent into the pine trees of Darcy Island, the next island about three times our size. Sorry guys but the oysters are the most delicious and huge fresh oysters I have ever tasted. He collects them from his lagoon at low tide. He puts them on the grate whilst closed in their shell. They sizzle and cook and you have to cut them at least in half. I know my friend Arthur is going to abuse me under his breath when he reads this. Arthur, you would kill for these oysters!! I know how much you love them. And Roger, I am not sure your Tassie oysters are going to match these. I doubt it gets better than this!! Lol....

Twilight was setting in, the day was coming to an end. The air was SO still I couldn't move. It was like the world was frozen into one big beautiful pictured landscape. As the sun sank and our world darkened I sat in front of the roaring fire looking out to the bay. Not a sound, no lapping of waves, no wind, no movement. The serenity was such a gift in our busy world I was rivetted to the view. Occasionally a bird would cry out somewhere in the distance. We didn't talk, I couldn't talk. I felt my body relax in such a meditative state I sank deeper into my chair. We just sat there and gazed.
The stars came out one by one and a half moon peeked between the tree branches behind us. It was utterly peaceful.

I am back now and sharing this with you, our skipper has gone to bed downstairs and tomorrow is a new day. We are taking his other boat, 'Water Baby' up around Sidney Island for a couple of days to catch some Alaskan crabs. But I guess that is another story!