After the breakfast special at Zachary’s, requisite stops at Whotbourne and Gobbies, and a long drive down the dirt highway, we arrived at Monkstown. Now a small community of just 22 at the head of Paradise Sound, Monkstown would be the launching pad for our Placentia Bay adventure. We drove around town looking for a launch spot and met a local woman who said it was fine to park behind buddy’s boat. The beach was pitched shallow and allowed for one of the shortest carries to load a boat ever. The wind blew lightly up the Sound and we were ready to set off in no time with 11 days of supplies fitting easily in our two boats. I paddled my red Necky Looksha IV named the Lucky Rickshaw and Karen paddled Antony’s as of yet nameless yellow P&H Capella. The Sound was a lovely green tunnel hemmed in by brown cliffs rising from either side. Small pocket beaches could be found frequently. We stopped to stretch out legs at a delightful spot then paddled down to Channel’s Harbour. We began our daily habit of seeing eagles soar over the cliffs.

As we paddled into the harbour, we passed by a few cabins. We then made our way through some out flowing current into the back bay of the harbour and made camp on a neck that opened back onto Paradise Sound. The black flies performed a welcome ritual that sent us diving for our head nets. Beach flotsam provided the makings of a kitchen and we soon dined on Karen’s fine three course dinner. The weather for the next day predicted a big southwestern blow so we headed to bed with the intention of an “alpine” start to beat the storm.