Set Afloat

We were in Oona River again last month. It was rainy and rough on the water on the way out but we had really decent weather during our weekend stay. I don’t mind the rainy grey days, especially in beautiful Oona when I have my camera at hand but I’ve started running again and I prefer to stay dry while I do it. We didn’t know how long we’d be staying so brought food for a week. With no grocery stores, or any other kinds of stores for that matter on the island, one must come prepared.

There was no shortage of mud to slog through and Kep was sure to lie in each and every muddy puddle he could find.

Lily and Leif were quick to assist with the chores needing to be done, bringing in firewood, starting and keeping the fires going, feeding the chickens and caring for a neighbour’s cats while they were out of town. They loved the freedom their bikes gave them to get here, there and everywhere on their own.

The highlight of the weekend for the kids was the wood fired hot tub where they spent the majority of their time. It took a couple hours to fill and another half day to heat but it was well worth the wait. Shannon and I had a soak the first evening and it was absolutely delightful. (There are more photos of the tub, including empty and inside the firebox on my flickr stream.)

The food’s always good when we visit. I’d come prepared to make: Caramelised Onion and Sauted Spinach Pizza with Peanut Sauce, Miso Curry Delicata Squash, Green Salad with Tahini Garlic Lemon Dressing, Quinoa Cakes with Roasted Garlic and Lemon Aioli, Spanish Cauliflower Faux Rice, Sesame Lo Mein, Squash and Beans and Yam and Honey Biscuits, Chocolate Espresso Coconut Flour Cupcakes with Espresso Buttercream

Shannon made this blackened honey chicken and fresh made rolls one night for supper.

The main reason for our visit was to assist with getting our friend’s newly finished barge launched. I made a three minute slideshow with some images which you can watch below.

It’s hard to describe the time, effort and care that’s gone into building this beast over the last three years. It’s something that I don’t even fully understand but the tension, excitement and joy on my friend’s faces in these last few days give me a small inclining. I’m overwhelmed with happiness for them and their growing business!

I wanted a photo of all the guys that could be hung next to the countless old back and white photos from the days of yesteryear hanging in the old Oona River schoolhouse.

I love the wildlife unique to river habitat. I watched a Kingfisher over a couple days come and go from two obviously favoured perches.

One afternoon, I snuck down to the water’s edge and then slowly from boulder to boulder to capture a few pictures of a river otter playfully eating bullheads. It’s such a gift to bear witness to the movement of wildlife in it’s natural environment.

I’ve written a lot about my fear of the water but something happened to me on this trip. I gained some perspective on the seaworthiness of most vessels. This realisation came about on the ferry ride over where we saw many boats making their routine trips in choppy water. I was able to feel the effects of the rough water and see that the other (smaller) vessels were experiencing no trouble. Let’s hope this perspective returns on my next trip through rough waters!

We can’t wait for our next visit. Oona is one of our favourite places to visit.