The first week was always going to be a big one, meeting a bunch of new people after the longest flight in the world and reconnecting with the bloke in a tiny cabin on the river bank. The learning curve has been steep! All good tho, I've started work, the team has negotiated Ontario beauracracy and bought a car for summer, and birthday surfing on beautiful warm playwaves means that there isn't a better place to be 33.
The Ottawa is truly enormous. Over a k wide in places, we paddle different channels depending on how big you like it and what play spots are in. Sarah is here on little trickle - a favourite NZ style rapid. Below is me on Elevator Shaft - and the water in this shot is a little less than a fifth of the total river flow.
I've had a few moments of sheer amazement at how things are run here. There is a facinating mix of genuine community values and a team who love their work and lifestyle, and management who summed up their approach early on by announcing ... it's my way or the highway! We laughed... afterwards.
Gwyn, Ruth, Sarah and I are all part owners in the car - an essential part of happiness oout in the middle of nowhere. There's even a cafe by that name... and after a trip to the Grand Canyon I look forward to introducing Alice to that and other treasures on the Ottawa.Hope you're all chirpy!
love
Polly and Sarah
