If you go down to the woods today you'll be in for DEATH BY BEAR.
Hello.
Since I last wrote anything Ceri and I have been camping. We went to Algonquin National Park, four hours north of Toronto. We had a slightly interesting trip, beginning with the departure. Ceri booked the tickets and was told the bus left at 1.30pm on a Friday. I had planned to take a half day on Friday and then catch the bus. Late on Thursday evening Ceri came into my room to tell me that after checking the tickets, the bus actually left first thing on Friday morning. So I left my boss a voicemail just before midnight saying 'sorry! I can't come in at all today, oops'. That also meant that we had to get all the shopping for the trip that night instead of the next morning.
So we got to bed late, got up early and got to the bus. After a lovely journey (although I had forgotten my headphones for my iPod) our stop was called out: 'Lake of Two Rivers!'. So we got off and watched the bus leave us amidst pretty autumn colours and canoes. When we checked at the office to find our campsite, however, it turned out that we were still 20km from it. They had called out our stop one early. There was no way we could get there ourselves but eventually a lovely staff lady person offered to drive us there. 20 minutes later we had been dropped off at the plot in a lovely pine woodland.
We immediately got to work setting up camp. We started with the tent. Upon unpacking it all, though, it became apparent that the main body of the tent did not match the cover. We tried it many different ways but in the end had to choose whether or not we wanted the front or the back covered. We weren't best pleased. Then we tied up our tarp over the picnic bench, between a few trees (rain had been forecast). After that we got our food bag and hoisted it up into the trees so that bears and such couldn't get to it. So far, so alright.
That night we made a fire and had some marshmallows and s'mores, then had an early night, shattered. It rained all night long, but somehow our makeshift tent kept the water off us. It was lovely to doze through the pattering rain and it was cold enough to make sleeping in a sleeping bag comfortable.
The next morning we got up and set out for a little hike. The maps were vague and confusing but we followed them anyway. My sense of direction and enthusiasm convinced Ceri to go on instead of turning back at one point. We'd walked for a couple of hours and couldn't tell if we were on a 32km trail or just coming to the end of a shorter one. Luckily we got our bearings and carried on. That's when we saw our first bear.
We were making a lot of noise and singing the whole time (as we'd been advised: bears don't like it and leave sharply instead of hanging around to kill you). I was just taking my turn in auditioning for the X Factor (my piece was 'Dancing on my Own' by Robyn) when Ceri did a 180 and walked back passed me. I turned and she looked shocked and said 'there's a bear'. I looked down the trail and saw, what I thought were, a pair of human legs step up off the path. I told Ceri this but shouted just in case: 'Hello!? If you're a human can you say something?'. There was no answer. Then suddenly what I assumed was a tree moved and I realised that it was a bear. Shit.
I walked back towards Ceri and said 'off we go then, back down the trail'. We walked pretty quickly back to the crossroads we just left. We were a little rattled since we were hours from anywhere and hadn't seen anyone else for almost as long. We decided to wait a bit and then continue as we had intended and hope the bear had moved on. Luckily an older couple just arrived going our way and we went on together, chatting and stomping. Plus they had bear spray.
We eventually got to the cycle trail, only a mile and a bit from the camp site. The old people went a different way and we carried on. Then, right up ahead, a MASSIVE BEAST walked into the path and looked round. It was a bit surprising but luckily it was a moose. A huge moose stag. Then his lady-wife stepped out and joined him. We followed them and took some pictures and a few other people congregated to watch the amazing animals have a munch. They left the path and we walked on, everyone else having cycled off. Ceri and I were alone again.
I heard a watery noise immediately to my left and turned to see a bear literally two metres away from me. He was too close to photograph with my zoom lens. Not that I'd have dared. I walked up beside Ceri and grabbed her forearm and urged her to walk briskly and not look behind and that the bear probably hadn't seen us. We were on edge again but got back to camp soon after and were able to laugh about it.
The next day we packed up and waited for the bus home and were so relieved to get back and be able to relax not having been eaten.
Since that weekend I have done not very much yet again. Work is going well and I am really enjoying it. Everyone is lovely and bring me cakes. I got my hair cut by a lesbian and she managed to make me not look like a lesbian. Bonus.
In slightly more exciting news a friend of mine suggested my work as part of an art installation taking place in Edinburgh this month. The artist liked my work and has agreed to use some of my leaf/sky images, so I'm waiting to see how that all works out. Anyone in Edinburgh should go and see Hidden Door!
I had another image published in 'Good News Toronto', a better image this time I think (see below). I have sold one of my Lego badges as well - maybe as Christmas gets nearer there'll be more sales. Maybe not.
This weekend is a long one with Monday being a holiday. It's called Thanksgiving. Ceri and I went to the shops today and bought all the things we'll need for a lovely roast tomorrow. I'm making my own nut roast and Ceri has already decimated her chicken in preparation. Brussels Sprouts! Nommers!
I lost my metrocard yesterday. I'm gutted. There's still most of the month to go but I've decided that instead of buying a new one (what a waste of $121) i will take advantage of being able to walk to work (it should only take around 50 minutes each way). This weekend has been really warm and sunny so I hope that the month continues and I have a relatively pleasant commute on foot. If anything it might help get into better shape (other than round).
That's it, really. Nothing too groundbreaking. Hope all's well back home and that the weather is ok. I'm missing watching X Factor with family or friends as is tradition but at least someone is uploading the acts pretty soon after they have aired. It's the little things, eh?
Thank you, BYE!
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