Barachois Falls

Just before you reach Rose Blanche, on Route 470 on the southwest coast of Newfoundland, there is a beautiful waterfall only a 5-10 minute walk from the road. During Christmas, my brother and I walked in there after a 40mm rainfall the day before, so it was roaring pretty good.

Hiking in the Wreckhouse

During Christmas holidays my brother and I hiked to the top of the Table Mountains in Codroy Valley, in the famous Wreckhouse Area of the Southwest Coast of Newfoundland. Winds here have been known to blow trains off the track, and trucks off the highway. Round trip it can be done in 2 or 3 hrs, with plenty of time to take in the view at the top.

Departing in a snow squall

Looking down on the Codroy River Estuary

Ice crystals on the tree branches

You can really see how windy it must be here

The Wreckhouse in a snow squall

On the Summit!

Two brothers

What a view!

Heading back

Kayaking in Croatia Slideshow

At 7:30pm tonight at the Guv'nor Pub in St John's, I am giving a presentation on our kayaking trip in Croatia. Neil Burgess is also doing a presentation on his paddling trip in Venice.

This is an event for the Kayak Newfoundland and Labrador Club http://www.kayakers.nf.ca/

If you live in this neck of the woods, drop in. For those who don't, I'll be uploading the slideshow here soon.


Brian

Angie gets the Roll

Last night was a huge night for my wife, Angie. At the pool, she finally got her first roll. I am so proud and happy for her. Now she just gotta keep on practicing until it becomes automatic.

Brian

Afternoon Hike

On Saturday my wife and I went for a hike to the Rocky River. It sure is nice to have a fire and a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold winters day.

Enjoying the warmth of the fire and the hot chocolate

As nimble as a cat :-)

Thornlea, Trinity Bay

On Friday, Trent and I got out for our first paddle of the decade. The weather was suitable, +1C with very little wind coming from the southwest (less than 20 km/h). So we headed to Trinity Bay to Thornlea and paddled north along the peninsula for a few hours. Its a very interesting coastline, with lots of beaches, small caves and a few waterfalls. We also spotted a seal along the way, basking on the rocks. As soon as we started getting close, he started moving towards the water, so we backed off and left him alone to continue sun bathing.

I was experimenting with my new camera setup, which is a headstrap mount for my GoPro Hero, which basically lets me wear the camera like a headlamp, so some of the pics and video came out a little rough, I'm still trying to figure out the best positioning for it.

Anyways, here are some pics. Once I get some editing done, I'll post some of the video I took. Its pretty rough, and shakey, but I think there are some decent shots in there.

Rounding the point of Thornlea's cove

Try and spot the seal in this picture

Me hanging out under the ledge

Me doing a really bad low brace turn :-)

Small Cave along the way

Trent shot the next few from above the waterfall

Lunch stop

Pics from Christmas Eve Paddle

Here are a few pics from my paddle around Dildo Head on Christmas Eve. I only had time enough to get on the water for an hour or so, but it was still so nice to get out on such a busy day. I haven't had a chance to get on the water yet in 2010, but hopefully it will happen soon.

Departure beach

This stage has seen better days

Small beach on western side of dildo head

Watching a boat heading out

Looking south at Old Shop

The town of Dildo

Don't think i'll have any problems there :-)

Boats in the marina

Dildo head obscured by flurries