Lunar eclipse

Kayakers spend almost as much time watching the sky as they do the water so
it was no surprise the lunar eclipse drew a number of folksout to follow this interesting event.
In St.John's, this past Wednesday night was a clear but cold night perfect for setting up a the tripod.
At it's brightest Saturn can be viewed in the northeast.

Exploring the World's Most Exotic Islands

CBC had an interesting discussion on this afternoon and one of the questions they asked was: how would you describe newfoundland and labrador?

I would have offered up: exotic

The discussion reminded me of the book Island Gods written by Richard Bangs and Pamela Roberson in 1991. Newfoundland received a whole chapter in this book so I think exotic is a deserving word. It is difficult to get a copy now, but I believe there may still a few available at amazon.com. In the credit section Mark Dykeman and Jim Price were recognized for their contribution in assisting Richard with his kayaking experiences. Many of the destinations described will be familiar to kayakers in the province: Ireland's Eye, Witless Bay(Great Island). Newfoundland is listed amidst some extraordinary destinations: Dominica, Bahrain, Sri Lanka and Lombok to name a few.

Consider picking up this book to add to your kayaking book collection.

Death of Mr.Lazerescu

I finally found a copy of this award winning movie. I believe there is only one in the local rental store. I have been looking for it since I first saw a review late in 2006.

For some unknown reason it is labelled as a comedy but this is a movie about a dark and grim ordeal into the Romanian hospital system. Ironically, the old gentleman who gets launched into this medical journey is named Dante Remus Lazarescu. He manages to navigate through various forms of health care delivery hell.

In this day of TV medical programs this film is a slow version but nevertheless intense.

Even though the film takes place in Romania, I suspect that medical professionals might recognize that elements described could be easily transferred elsewhere.

I think it would be a useful resource for graduating health professionals and administrators.

Banff Film Festival

What a festival this year. My favourite this year was Ice Mines - a film about a
unique climbing expedition led by Will Gadd into an abandoned mine in Sweden.













I have been in some caves in Slovakia but who would have thought about ice climbing in an abandoned mine. Gadd and company found an extraordinary icicle formation and a good section of the filmcaptures how they manage to climb this feature they named the Brain.


















Apparently there are thousands of frozen mines in Sweden just waiting for more climbers. One mine they visited dated back more than 600 years.

Another film that was quite extraordinary was 20 Seconds of Joy..











This film follows the career of a Norwegian Base jumper until the event that brings her jumping to a startling impasse.

Lots of other entries that were fun and amazing like King Lines. Check out:

http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountainculture/festivals/2007/film/awards/king_lines.asp

Real Pain

Global Year Against Pain in Women


The International Association for the Study of Pain(IASP) has declared 2008 the Global year Against Pain in Women.



This is an effort to draw attention to the siginificant impact chronic pain has on women, since chronic pain affects a greater number of women than men around the world. However women are less likely to receive treatment.

IASP has promoted the Global Day and Global Year Against Pain for a number of years now primarily to raise awareness of pain worldwide. 2007 focused on pain in older pesons and 2006 focused on pain in children. The Global Year, is a year-long event held to raise awareness of the different aspects of pain.

Why the need to focus on pain?

Pain, particularly chronic pain, can significantly impact on quality of life and can continue to do so as the average lifespan increases. In developing countries there are several serious diseases that can cause severe pain for which there is often little or no pain relief available.

The IASP believes it is important to raise the profile of pain and promote the recognition of chronic pain as an important health concern. Few people die of pain, but many people die in pain and even more live in pain.

You can find more information at the IASP website. In your own area you may be able to contact a physiotherapist who could link you with a session(s)on chronic pain.

Post Noel Storm

As kayakers we spend a lot of time weather and wave watching. Tropical storm Noel looked like it's influence had the potential to reach Newfoundland. Indirectly it did. Mostly, residents and families who live near the coast are only to happy to be passed over by any storm, since in the past wharfs have proven difficult and costly to replace.

Early Sunday November 4 I was out to Outer Cove and Middle Cove assessing the waves and post storm serge as a result of tropical storm Noel.

Rain, fog and heavy winds were all present but wave action was minimal.

It appears from all the reports that the Nova Scotia coast and New Brunswick got the worst of the storm.

Photo contest submission

Recently I submitted this photo to the KNL photo contest. It was shot in Spaniard's Bay(Newfoundland) in early May. I recall leaving St.John's - it was cold, rainy, foggy and we almost turned around. But in this area it was a beautiful day and only the two of us kayaking at that time.

Check out the KNL website: www.kayakers.nf.ca
to view the photo of the month for October - a spectacular image taken by D McQuiod of Chris Buchanan going down a scary(to me) section of Little Harbour River.