2012: Post 23c - Merasheen Island – Day 3

See Post 23b for Day 2...

I slept better, not well, but better.  We would have a shorter paddling day today.  The wind was up, but it would be behind us as we made our way north to Merry Harbour where we had planned we would camp for the night.   No one was sure that Merry Harbour would be suitable but the aerial photos that Tony got his hands on looked hopeful.    

Morning routines ensued, and then concluded, and we started the days paddle... 

Breaking fast on a dreary Monday morning 

Neville and Tony

Clyde

Some of the guys were low on fresh water and so we reached Virgin Cove we pulled up on the beach.  Tony and I had ample water supply so we sat on the beach and talked while Clyde, Neville, and Hazen hiked the short distance to the base of the falls…

Hazen heading to the falls 

After a while we could hear the guys; seemed they were having some fun and not just getting water.  In retrospect I think we should have walked in with them.  I’ll just have to wait to see their pictures...

We continued along the shore, stopping in Dough Ball Cove for lunch.   When all hands were ready we paddled the last few kilometres to our proposed campsite.  It wasn’t a long paddle for the day but I guess the previous two days paddles, totalling 68 kms, and now the day’s additional 19 km had taken the wind out of my sail.  I was quite thankful to see the grassy spot in Merry Harbour when it came into view… you could tell it was a good spot to camp.

By now everyone seemed to be in the daily routine of setting up camp…

…and Neville got his clothesline up again, intent on having some dry clothes….

…and then we got supper on the go…

Clyde

We walked further along the shore into a little cove, away from the tents, to collect firewood for the evening rituals.  It started to rain while we sat around the fire and I decided not to walk back to get my camera - so no pictures.  It was quite the fire experience though, thanks to the extra efforts of Tony and Neville!!!  The other guys will certainly have some pics: see the blogs of Tony, Neville, and Clyde…

Once again we were back into the tents for another night’s sleep. This night would mark the first time I had spent three consecutive nights kayak camping...