Turning Points!

I have discussed night navigation trips in this blog before. I struggle with it mainly because my vision really suffers at night. This statement of the obvious is not quite what it seems as I have poor vision anyway. Consequently trying to read a map or the numbers on a compass, even with the use of a torch is challenging for me.Navigation is all about gaining enough information from your environment to plot position and course. At night such information can be scarce. Never the less bearings, way points and transit lines can usually guide you to you desired destination. There may be times when the number of visible landmarks is low and uncertainty about where you are and what direction to take can creep in. At other times suddenly an obvious landmark or definite transit will line up, and you know your exact location and what direction to take. I reached the latter point last night - I knew exactly where I was and where to go regarding a particular issue. Cryptic so far to some I'm sure!

An extract from http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/ :-

This site is done just for fun. We do it because we like to and that's the only reason. It's not a job, it's not a business, it's not even an obligation. It's more like a hobby -- a hobby that hopefully will provide some content that you'll find entertaining and informative.The concept for this site was developed in mid 2004 after recognizing that no websites existed specifically listing paddling locations in British Columbia. A website such as this could be a good resource to those looking for new places to paddle -- there was definitely a niche that needed to be filled.There are a number of guide books for local paddling destinations and as useful as they are, there is something missing in practically every one of the them -- they don't offer many photos. This website is not intended to replace guide books or their importance, but perhaps instead, as a complement to them. Always exploring and looking for new paddling locations, we realized that we've taken thousands of photos on numerous paddling trips -- this website would be a perfect way to show other paddlers some of the great destinations. Thus began countless hours of reviewing photos and roughing out a plan for what this website would contain.And so continues the adventure...

The above site is written and constructed by 6 paddlers in the Vancouver area. I think that their site represents an ideal model for a non commercial kayaking website. I haven't asked them, but I doubt very much that they encountered hostility directed towards their efforts.

Below, Peel Inner Harbour at dusk ......