Across Continents

Ken's Blog

Slip and proceed

October 5th, 2011

Slip and proceed from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.

Ken sails away from Haines, south along Alaska’s Inner Passage.. Apologies now for the humour. It just never gets any better..

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Stowed away

October 5th, 2011

Stowed away from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.

Ken and his trusty steed makes the ferry south from Haines. With a whole twenty minutes to spare..

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Southbound from Haines

October 5th, 2011

InnerPassage (1)

Ferry made with at least twenty minutes to spare. I’d have arrived a bit earlier but had taken a short detour into downtown Haines to find a working ATM. Hadn’t encountered a single one during my travels in Canada. The few that did exist were either empty, offline or just refused my card. The only consolation being the wide acceptance of US dollars, but this had almost depleted my small stash.

I needed more cash otherwise I’d be surviving at sea on cold porridge. But the one ATM in Haines I could find had just be refilled and, the teller explained, wouldn’t be available for a while. Quickly explaining I’d a ferry to catch, could she dispense me funds from the till? She could, and she did, but with such a methodical slowness I could barely contain my frustrations. Glacial.

But now I was at last onboard. Trusty steed secured down on the car deck. Luggage stowed in the cabin. A sign in the shower asked passengers – and crew – to refrain from using the facilities in harbour. Just a small holding tank. Pondered this briefly, then decided the exertions of the previous couple of days justified an exception.

The ship would take me south along Alaska’s Inner Passage – or Inside, I could never quite remember – a relatively sheltered coastal route along fjords and amongst a multitude of islands. Strong tidal streams and treacherous waters. Forty hours or so and I’d be back into British Columbia, but now a thousand miles or so closer to Vancouver on Canada’s west coast. But it would still leave a further thousand to ride to reach the city, and the short hop over the border to Seattle.

Wrangell (2)

A few stops en route. Juneau, Alaska’s capital. Petersburg, Wrangell and the charmingly named Ketchikan. Finally Prince Rupert in the early hours. Deep joy.

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Reunion

August 22nd, 2011

For, whilst I’d decided Phillip Island would be a fitting formal end to my time riding down the east coast of Australia, there remained the small detail of fifty or so miles into Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs. Off to stay with Simon and Sue. We’d originally met by chance in the small town of Atherton, back in Far North Queensland. I’d joined them for dinner and we’d kept in touch.

The thirty minute ferry crossing from the island to the Mornington Peninsular had been largely uneventful, bar my efforts at head-butting the vessel as I’d boarded. And the requirement to keep my bicycle, and panniers, outside on the rear deck, exposed to the ravages of the inevitable salt spray. My protestations that the large cabin was empty, surely I could at least secure the bags inside, unsuccessful. Rules were rules.

Back on the road, the journey north towards the city was unremarkable. I’d a decent map and a good idea where I was going. Despite this, I’d still ended up finishing in the dark, made worse by rush hour traffic, steady drizzle and rain-soaked glasses.

There’d been a short detour on the way north from the Phillip Island ferry. Stopping off to pick up my second passport, safely delivered by hand from Sydney by friend of a friend. Essential piece of the jigsaw, for it contained my US visa. I’d really needed to press on sooner than I actually did, but it seemed rather rude to grab the document and go. Besides, a cup of tea and a chat was always welcome.

[With especial thanks to Simon and Sue for hosting me, and Chris and Jen for safe custody of my passport]

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Down at the jetty

August 22nd, 2011

Down at the jetty from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.

Ken awaits the morning ferry from Phillip Island across to the Mornington Peninsular and the final run into Melbourne

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Wellington bound

July 22nd, 2011

Wellington bound from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.

Ken returns to Wellington on the ferry linking North and South Islands.

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Farewell to South Island

July 22nd, 2011

Farewell to South Island from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.

Ken bids a fond farewell to South Island. Catching the ferry from Picton.

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Don’t pay the ferryman

June 15th, 2011

Don’t pay the ferryman from Ken Roberts on Vimeo.

Ken, and trusty steed Emma, decide to get some sea time in. A short hop on the Burns Point Ferry. Don’t want to over-do-it.

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