OUT OF THE MED INTO THE PO

Sept 12. The last two days in the Med were scary. Balancing between a challenge and risk is not easy. Still learning as I go, though I have kayaked more than most during their lifetime.

Left Albenga, Italy on Monday. The morning was perfect with a light beeeze  

As I paddled the winds picked up. Still doable. Followed the plan and crossed over the bay of Savona. Here things got tough. Ending up capsizing by a shipyard. The waves were hitting a sea wall and rebounding. A rubber duck in a washing machine. Anyways floated a ways and re-entered in calmer water. 

After Savona, I paddled another hour to a little hideaway between Peorile and  Celle Ligure. Had a good night.  

The sun is rising over Genoa. Today I will get there.  

Sept 12. I paddle in choppy waters for 14 km. Feel concentration is down. See a small port and go for it. A man greets me at the pier. He later buys me coffee, cola and a salty bread roll.  I also meet Paulo, a super guy who gives me some advice. 

I head out towards Genoa. The water is choppy and swells are high. I feel uncomfortable but am still in my comfort zone. (hah. Does that make sense?) I see a container terminal and paddle inside along the seawall. On the other side are large crashing waves. I am so happy to be on the inside. Legal or not. (Found out later it was legal).  

Around the bend is a canoe club called Gruppo Canal Palmarese. I head for that. I had checked this out a couple days ago. It was too choppy to get to Pegli. 

Here, I meet Stefano, a young doctor. We talk and talk to others. Before I know it, I have landed a ride to Piacenza. I actually cried. A bit overwhelming after all my friends and Christina have worked so diligently to land a ride. Wow. Arrive and within 39 minutes land a 2.5 hour ride. Wow!!! 

Luciano and I drive to Piacenza. L to R. Luciano. Stefano. Mark and man. 

We set off. Two kindred spirits. What a lovely man. 

I arrive at the place I thought would work to get into the PO. I meet a great group of Italian boys. We talk for 1.5 hours. I get a nice shower at a club. And eat a duck pasta dish at a local restaurant. Out of the Med. Into the PO. 

These guys were great. Interested and full of questions. Impressed with Andrea. What a nice guy. 

I told them that I had lost my fleece. Alessandro got up, drove home and within ten minutes was back. He gave me one of his fleece jackets. 

The PO will wind through Italy. What lies ahead? I feel more a mental strain than physical. Like refugees, I never know what tomorrow holds. I just know the destination. How, and when I get there, is another thing.  

SOME PLACES WERE NOT CREATED EQUAL

Coffee. Arm chair. Legs up. Taking it all in. One doesn't get tired of this type of view.  VilleFranche is close to Nice, but has a character all of its own. The French and Italian Riviera differ, and the beauty of both is breathtaking. Reluctantly, I have to leave this place. Some journeys must continue. 

After a long breakfast, I say goodbye to Jannicke and Kristen and head down to the train. I will take a connecting train from Monaco but use a local train to get there. I miss the local train by 5 minutes and end up talking to a lovely family from Ireland. Share about the Piece Prize and what I am doing. They were so supportive and said that this is exactly what is needed in the world today. 

Catch the train in Monaco and spend some time walking through Albenga. Good ice cream. Grab a bus to the campsite in time to set up the tent and enjoy a sunset.  

RELAX DON'T DO IT!

On Friday (Sept. 8) I decide to leave my camping place in Ceriale, Italy, and take the train back to Nice. Good friends Jannicke and Kristen have invited me and I am turning 60. The morning is sacred. The ocean is quiet. A fisherman tries his luck. Small sounds of waves gently caress the shore. I feel as though I should continue kayaking but then I hear the lyrics of a song: Relax don't do it!  Ok I will relax enjoy some time off. 

I shower and start packing my kayak. I will store it in a locked room. Clothes, and a towel, dry in the morning sun. 

The owner drives me 5 km to the train station. I get my ticket then cross the street for a good cup of coffee and baguette with mozerella and tomato. 

It's 2 hours to Nice. Will be fun watching the coastline. Retracing my steps, seeing where I have paddled.  

Picked up by Jannicke and Kristen at the VilleFranche-sur-Mer station, we climb steps - a couple hundred meters - and soon experience the best view in Nice from the apartment.  Later, I am treated to a lovely three-course meal. Life is feeling better with each mouthful. 

The chef and wife are lovely people and the food is excellent.

The evening ends with good talks and candles.  

The clock strikes 00:00. I am 60.....oops. 

Sept 9, 2017

Begin the day with eggs, toast, fruit, and coffee. I don't feel any different.  Feel great. 

Kristen is a great host.  

Spend the morning relaxing. Rain comes and we pop into a local restaurant for Moules.  I am a bit cold, so I put on Kristen's sweater. 

Afterward we head back to the flat and we all dip into a deep comfort zone called sleep. Refreshed after a couple of hours, we had back to celebrate my 60th at another local restaurant.  

I have eaten enough food to last three days. But it tastes soooo good. And I am sooooo happy.  

Head back home with the help of UBER. Great day. Relaxing, and no stress. Good to spend some nice moments with some good friends. Together we are better. 

CHUGGING ALONG-7 September 43 km.

I felt like a mischievous boy putting my tent up right in the middle of Riva Ligure. But I did it. :).  

It was darker than this when I put it up.  

I paddled some 20 km and took a pit stop at San Bartolomeo al Mare. The guy in the port didn't want me there with the kayak. I told him I was extremely tired and needed water. He gave me 30 minutes and took my passport to make sure I was ok. I bought some food, rested and then got my proof of Canadian citizenship back and paddled out. 

Iconic Italy. Great looking village.  

As I get closer to Genoa, the landscape changes. Big rolling mountains. Hanging threatening clouds. But the sea is still calm, though extremely choppy this morning.  

Just a short stop to stretch in Abenga. Google Maps to see where I was then onward 30 min to a camping place.  

I found it. Pulled my kayak up to land. Took the gear out and set up tent. Showered. Shaved. Drank water and ate some food from a tin can.  

Got some wifi. Happy with that, but major slow.  

Seems as though vacation is over. Have the whole place to myself. So I use the space.  Bit anxious as I still am not too certain as to how I will make it to Piacenza. Hah. It will work out. 

All I need is a coffee to make this a perfect day. Hah. Maybe another day. Pastry and coffee in Nice is hard to forget.  

BACK TO EARTH - 38 km on 6 September.

Kayaking along the Med is quite an eye opener about the affluent society we live in. Italy is a bit normal. Pizza is 10€ and not €24 as in Nice. Seems quieter and back to earth. 

Early morning Menton. Slept well on the rocks. Found some cardboard. It helped.  

Paddled 20 km and stopped at Bordighera. Had a swim and baguette with ham. Continued further to Sanremo. 

Interesting tomato juice with mint and basilicum.  

Sanremo has an amazing boat harbor. 760 big pleasure craft. And then me!!!! 

Ligere has a beautiful church and mixed with the colorful houses makes a nice backdrop.  

Arrive Riva Ligure. Buy some water talk to some random people and then meet a wonderful family from Venice. We will meet up when I get there.

Sharing with others about local peace seems to hit home. People are receptive and want to do good for others. 

Found my campsite. Rock on right. Hear  thunder in the distance so I hope the wind is ok. Only thing holding the tent down is me.  

One last dip in the ocean to make sure my kayak is secure. It's hook to a buoy.  

I SEE ITALY

Fresh start, lovely morning and in total paddled 38.5 km. Not bad considering I spent 3 hours in Beaulieu trying to upload a film.  

Started kayaking just after daybreak from Cagnes sur Mer.  

I still think these apartments are cool. So I took one more picture.  

Sunrise is awesome. I paddle towards the Nice airport. Sun in my eyes. I wonder if I should be in this area or not. I just paddle.  

i

I zoom quickly across Nice and am soon trying to gaze into VilleFranche. Nice cruise vessel blocking the view. 

I paddle towards du Cap Ferrat and the hug the inside coastline and end up in Beaulieu. Have been paddling for three hours.

Here, I purchase some groceries and find a cafe with wifi to upload The Piece Prizes'  latest Silent Hero video.  

At least 1000 boats in this harbor. Mine is the best. 

Eventually, the video uploads and I head out. Before I know it, I have Monaco in my sights. Wow. Short paddle from Nice actually. 

I paddle right through and end just short of Menton.  

This seems like a secure place. It's rocky and I find some cardboard to lay down first. Have eaten well today, brushed my teeth and am ready to crash.  

Sunrise. Sunset. Most things are pretty in the Med.  

Watch the winds on the Med, know where you can seek safety and things should go fine. 

CONQUER THE FEAR

Today I was a bit nervous about the route from Agay-Cannes-Antibes-Nice. This section is wide open and exposed to heavy seas. I left Agay at 07:00. A bit apprehensive.  

I love those red hills. And the houses are amazing. Especially the one with the concrete steps descending into the ocean.  

walk the steps for a morning bath and coffee!!! If only... 

I meet some others kayaks on the way. Lol. No not really. Just the big cruise vessels.  

I paddle onwards. Weather is fine and I recheck the Weather App to make sure no mistral winds are on way.  

No real major wind, I cut corners and cross bays to save time. Each bay takes a good 90 minutes. Have to be safe.  

Affer 5 hours, I reach Antibes and pull into a small private beach owned by the restaurant. Here I meet to lovely Norwegians from Skien. Carina and Stig treat me to a meal and we talk for an hour, if not longer. So fun. Sheesh haven't spoken Norwegian in ages.  

Onwards, I head to Nice. I see the iconic apartments. I didn't like them before, but seeing them from the water, they looked amazing. I like them now.  

I see a marina and head for it. A jet ski shop is open and I ask to sleep there. No problem. They say I can pitch my tent in the back. YES!!!!

Perfect. I set it up and have a great bedroom window view.  

I am hungry so open a can of ravioli. Tastes great. I watch the water and enjoy the view. What a wonderful world. Togetherness is important. That is, the world and mankind.  

STUDENTS, BLISTERS & LEMON PIE !

Parked my kayak at Camping Azure Rivage (Aug.31) and took the train into Nice. Found a very cheap hotel (you get what u pay for), had a nice Indian dinner and then worked on a presentation for the International School of Nice. 

Behind the viaduct is a nice tent and a kayak! 

Nice, France, is a warm and pleasant city.  

Sept. 1 - I give four lectures at the International School of Nice. One student wrote to me afterwards:  "Me and my friend were talking all the rest of the day about u, and how impressing it is, just so u know u changed something in our lives, as i know that it is important to you."

Alain Blondeau was The Piece Prizes's Silent Hero in Nice. Age 83, he has helped others through working with local charity for over 53 years. And doesn't intend to stop.  A true Silent Hero.  

After the presentations and interview with the Silent Hero, a teacher took me to a beautiful beach to enjoy the sea, wind and sun. 

Sept. 2 - After a nice visit and lunch with Kari and Harald, I need to get back to Agay by train. 

My shoes were so smelly from the salt water that I had to buy new flip flops. Ouch. I walked too much and got severe blisters.  

Agay is a beautiful, quiet coastal village. Ready to get some sleep. 

BIRTHDAY CAKE IN Anthéor

Early paddle and cross a long, long bay. Paddle for 5 hours without a stop.  

All alone on the Med.  

Seems like a weather change is in the making. Winds 4 m/p/s are ok. Sometimes in my back, sometimes not.  

Absolutely lovely coastline around Agay. Beautiful little village.  

The house to the left is used by an art dealer from Paris. He gave me a piece of his daughter's birthday cake and a coffee. 

Nice hideaway on the Med with own little garage for the jet ski. 

I paddled into this bay and parked my kayak on the other side of the viaduct. A nice camping place. Making my way into Nice tonight by train. Speaking to a group of students tomorrow at the International School of Nice. 

Small vacant train station.  

No tent tonight. A cheap hotel and an Indian dinner. Bon voyage in Nice. 

Saint Tropez and a nudist beach.

Paddled early this morning thinking just a short tour to Saint Tropez. Wrong thinking.  38 km. 

After paddling 20 km, my back is aching and I am tired. Nice scenery though.

I find a secluded rocky cove. There I tie my rope to a stone and let the kayak anchor while I eat ham.  

I set out again after a two hour break.  

For the rich, Saint Tropez is a nice playground. The Med is beautiful. I choose to stay outside the city.  

I find a great place on a nudist beach and set up camp after they go home.  

The Med is a tough paddle. But a front row seat is amazing.  

Alphonso helps pitch the tent

Ended last yesterday at a small secluded beach in the village of Coupereau. A young boy, Alphonso helped me set up the tent. An hour later he came back with salad, tomatoes, food and a beer. 

Good kid this guy.  

When I got up, another person had left me a note and some food. I paddled early wanting to make it to Saint Tropez.  

Sunrise and paddling. Sweet!!! 

First crossing took 45 minutes. Calm.  

A unique fortress. I paddled quite close. Didn't see the signs. Some guy blew into a whistle to let me know I was in the wrong place.  

Stopped at a campsite and slept under a tree.  

Landscape is changing. Easier to access land. The big cliffs are gone. At least for the time being.  

Found my little hideaway. A family unloaded their boat as I was putting up my tent. The man came down with a bag of food, cola and two beers. Haha. :) Together we are better.  

 Very secluded. Just room for me and the tent.  

Yes. The picture says it all.

St. Tropez in the distance. 39.7 km behind me. Happy. 

KINDNESS UP AND DOWN THE MED

AUGUST 26 - 27 (75 km)

Carry-le-Rouet - Cap Croisette - Six-Fours-les-Plages

Up early on 26th wanting to get to Cassis. I see some amazing scenery and history.

Château d'If, Marseille 

Tired getting across a large body of water around Marseille, I paddle toward a small port called, Port de la Madrague de Montredon. There I am surprised by a visit from Iwos (Norway). A lovely couple greets us on the beach and they invite us home for lunch. Sporty initiative.  

On way home to Antoine and family.  

Antoine and wife work at sports research center outside of Marseille. CRVM - Centre de réalité virtuelle de la Méditerranée. They are so pleasant. Somdown to earth. So gracious.  

I head out again but make it only as far as Cap Croisette. Winds 9 mtr/per second and large bumpy waves from big tourist boats. I try, but turn back. Good choice. Less risk and a beautiful evening on a beach. 

This is a majestic place. Talk to a nice couple on the beach and then pitch my tent when everyone is gone.  

August 27.

Up early and off. Dark. Can't see waves but feel them. Paddle hard and long to Ile Verte, have a coffee and baguette and talk to a cool guy, Manu. He designs work clothes.  

Early morning sunrise on way

Manu paddled to the island with his dog. He is getting married soon. :) 

Bandol. Paddle further to Bandol and stop at an island called "Ile de Bendor".  There I am graciously given a lunch and two beer by a very welcoming Portuguese man Jose and wife Maya. The waitress was cheerful. 

Kindness is one small act, sometimes done in, otherwise, a very busy day.  

I paddle further, making it to "Six-Fours-les-Plages". Paddling through the islands, I meet a family on some kayaks and a paddle board. They tell me about Valerie and Claude who are starting a food shelter for the homeless and migrant people. By night Quemao is a restaurant, by day it will feed the poor and needy. 

 Valerie and Claude also run a B&B. They invited me to stay the night and also treated me to a lovely supper. Thank you!!!! 

A unique B&B. Clean, interesting and a vibe all of its own. 

One can choose to sleep in a Defender of which has crossed the Dakar. 

Breakfast in the shade.  

MANAGING THE MEDITERRANEAN

AUGUST 25. 

I set the alarm for 04:30. I wanted to follow this canal through Port-de-Bouc, but was advised that this was not only very risky, but very illegal. I back tracked a bit and traversed around a large island. Crossed a bay in the early dark morning and hit strong currents. Hah! Yes back in the ocean. 

Early start. Industrial gas area.  

The ocean elements again. Aggh! 

When I stopped for a break, a French naval diver talked to me and said the currents were strong today. A fisherman had told him. That's why I struggled getting to La Couronne. 

I stopped in Sausset-Les-Pins. Three bananas, a baguette with cheese, orange juice (1 liter) coffee and water hit the spot and I headed back to the ocean elements.  

Sausset-Les-Pins.  

Energized, I set out again. High waves and wind keep me focused. I pull into a nice port after 10 km. I choose a small restaurant and end up meeting a wonderful waitress and a young owner, Marina. 

Kayak secured.  

Marina (left) shared a long lunch. She has a beautiful heart and is finding her way back to a lesser pain-free life after a car collision. She is a survivor which makes her look ahead and not behind. Though sometimes pain does follow us. We talked about life and its challenges. I left refreshed, full and happy in spirit. 

YES!  I ate it all.  

After lunch, I head out. The wind had died down but the waves were choppy and high, coming in all directions. I pulled into the next port and decided to call it a day. 

Carry-le-Rouet

Lovely little port. But a new hat, walked around and had a small beer. 

While organizing my kayak alongside a small dock, Dominique and Gerard walked by. We started chatting and this ended up in a superb three-course meal. They took the the tab, I thanked them and then tried to find a place to sleep. 

I sleep on the floor of this abandoned boat. I showere quickly the next morning  

NO MORE

No more boatlocks that is. Left early in the morning and had a friend for a while. What a nice dog. So gentle. Should have taken him with me. 

To those wondering, there is no reason why not to kayak the Saone and Rhone. These are no problem rivers. Slow moving due to dams and boatlocks. Absolutely no, no problem.  

Stopped for lunch. No questions asked?

Kayaked until the wind picked up and then took a rest. Found a little spot to get out of the wind. It worked fine despite a lot of garbage around.  

Time to air out my tent. 36 km are behind me. Will get up early as I may be paddling in a canal that isn't met for kayakers. :) 

Even a sunset by an industrial plant is pretty. 

SITTING IN SILENCE

This day ends in silence at a most beautiful place called Domaine de L'Armellière. I decided to pitch my tent just 10 km from the Mediterranean. Afterwards, I went for a walk. Only 400 meters I stumbled onto this amazing property. So silent. So pristine. So contemplative. 

I started the day early leaving Hocine and the village Aramon.  

Hocine was the perfect host.  

Early paddle.  

At the first and second boat lock workers wanted pictures.  

Between the boat locks I talked to a group of tourists about local piece and gave them my card. I paddled by a nice old building after Beaucaire.

I arrived Arles shortly after 12:00. 

A quaint city with good food. Here, I ate a great meal. The serving was a bit overproportioned. But I got through it. Afterwards had a coffee and shared desert with a four Canadians from Vancouver. 

Paddled 47 km. Stopped to pitch my tent. Went for a walk and found this magnificent property. A real auora of quietness and peace. Meandered round the acres of plants and buildings and ate five different types of fruits. There is even pomegranate trees here What a serene setting.  

La Poste, Claude and Hocine

Last night Becky and Dave provided accommodation and food on board their houseboat Wanderlust. A gracious couple and was nice to speak English.  

We headed off in our own directions. Them Avignon and me, the local post office. I made the front cover in the La Provence newspaper and wanted to send some copies home. 

I walked around Aramon. It is a beautiful little village with a few nice places to sit and have a coffee.  

Had a kebab. Well a different type of kebab. A baguette with kebab and French fries all put together.  

After a bit of writing and relaxation, I headed back to the Helios. It is a small houseboat hotel. Hocine invited me as his guest. Thus a free room for the night.  

Hocine is a good man. We shared coffee, cake and a good talk.  

He took a group of youth for survival training and has a heart for people. 

The wind is blowing, either from the north or south. A great opportunity to wash and dry clothes.  

Hocine told me that I came to visit him for a purpose. 

Claude paddled by. I met him a couple of weeks ago further North in those crazy canals with hundreds of locks. He has paddled from Lille and his final destination is Lille au Grau-du-Roi, on the edge of the Mediterranean. We talked a bit, hugged and wished each other safe travels. People, places and possibilities pass our way each day. The journey continues. Together we are better. 

A la recherche des “héros silencieux”

A la recherche des “héros silencieux”

Quand vous vous lancez dans une aventure pour une bonne cause, il arrive souvent que le déroulement de l’aventure éclipse la raison pour laquelle vous l’avez entreprise.

Mark Fuhrmann en a bien conscience. Après un mois de pause, il vient de reprendre son voyage de 5200 km en kayak entre Oslo et Athènes. Avec une mission : raconter et mettre en valeur, tout le long de son parcours, les petits actes de gentillesse et d’humanité du quotidien.

Son voyage suffirait à lui seul à attirer l’attention de la presse, mais son véritable objectif est en fait de mettre en lumière ces héros du quotidien, ceux qui donnent sans rien attendre en retour.

Mark en a rencontré depuis le début de son voyage en Norvège, puis en Suède, au Danemark, en Allemagne, aux Pays-Bas, en Belgique et en France. Il met désormais le cap vers le Sud, via la Bourgogne, la vallée du Rhône et la Provence vers les rives de la Méditerranée. Il traversera ensuite l’Italie pour rejoindre l’Adriatique et les côtes des Balkans. Il continuera à y rencontrer des personnes et des organisations, pour leur donner une petite aide pécuniaire pour les soutenir dans leurs actions.

L’inspiration de ce voyage incroyable prend sa source dans le village grec d’Idoménée, au coeur de la crise des réfugiés syriens. Panayotia Vasileiadou, âgée de 82 ans, était seule chez elle quand une jeune femme s’est présentée à sa porte, affamée et transie de froid. Avec neuf autres personnes, elle avait fui la bataille d’Alep. Plutôt que de leur tourner le dos, Mama, comme on l’appelle maintenant, les a accueilli et utilisé sa retraite de 450 euros pour les nourrir.

Même si le monde entier s’est intéressé à elle suite à cette histoire, la seule motivation de Mama était d’aider, autant qu’elle le pouvait, ceux qui en avaient besoin. Et c’est pour la rencontrer que Mark a entrepris ce voyage.

“Un acte de gentillesse peut paraître insignifiant à l’échelle de l’univers, mais aider une seule personne est en fait très important, non seulement pour cette personne, mais pour le monde entier”, dit Mark Fuhrmann. “Ce voyage est un très gros challenge pour moi. Mais ce qui me fait continuer, c’est la perspective de rencontrer et d’embrasser Panayiota Vasileaidou, pour la remercier de ses efforts et de son humanité. Elle est une source d’inspiration incroyable pour nous tous”.

Faire 5200 km en kayak pour embrasser une vieille dame, cela peut paraître un peu long. Mais, en route, Mark aura rencontré et partagé ces inspirations, ces petits actes du quotidien qui font la différence. Le voyage mérite sans doute les grands titres, mais la vraie histoire est celle de la mission.

Plus de renseignement sur le voyage et la mission de Mark :

https://www.thepieceprize.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepieceprize/?hc_ref=ARR97OK_Cx61cNkDL7vMp_H1q4wiWapYCqHYbLa6wYYNd6sYHPNcsiw4Bg8XZgoPPXw

Contact: Christina@blue-c.no /+47 93634449

Spreading peace across Europe

In search of silent heroes

When you undertake something remarkable for a good cause, it’s easy for the undertaking to overshadow the cause.

Mark Fuhrmann knows this, as he resumes his 5200 km kayaking odyssey from Oslo to Athens with 3300 km to go, on a mission to reward small acts of kindness along the way.

Mark’s journey itself is epic enough to have attracted plenty of press already, but his real purpose is to bring attention to the unsung heroes along his route, those who give to others without asking anything in return.

Fuhrmann has recognised these ‘silent heroes’in their local communities from the start of his voyage in Norway,throughSweden, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Belgium, andinto France. Now his path will lead himdown the canals and rivers of Provence to the Mediterranean, across Italy to the Adriaticand down the Balkan coast, where he will continue to acknowledge deserving servants with modest cash awards to support their work.

Mark’s inspiration for this incredible journeyunfolded in the Greek village of Idomeni, in the shadow of the Syrian refugee crisis. Panayiota Vasileiadou, 82, was alone in her home when a young woman turned up on her doorstep with nine companions, cold and hungry, fleeing the battles raging in Aleppo. Rather than turn them away, ‘Mama’, as her guests now call her, took them all in and fed them on her monthly pension of 450 Euro.

This near-heroic act of sacrifice has brought Vasileiadouinternational attention, but her real mission was simply to helpthose in need by any means she could. And now Mark Fuhrmann’s ultimate destination is Idomeni, to finally meet‘Mama’.

Fuhrmann says: “One act of kindness may seem insignificant in this vast universe, but touching the life of even one person is highly significant, for that person, but also for society.”

“This trip is a huge challenge for me, but what keeps me going is the thought of visiting PanayiotaVasileiadou in her home and giving her a big hug to thank her for her efforts, just to acknowledge her act of kindness. What a tremendous source of inspiration she has been, and a role model for all of us.”

5200 kilometres may seem a long way to paddle a kayak just to give an old lady a hug. But along the way, Mark Furhmannwill have shared the inspiration of many small acts of kindness that come together to make a big difference in the world. Thejourney is certainly deserving of headlines, but the real story lies in the mission.

Learn more about the Silent Heroes tour and follow Mark on his mission:

https://www.thepieceprize.com/

and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepieceprize/?hc_ref=ARR97OK_Cx61cNkDL7vMp_H1q4wiWapYCqHYbLa6wYYNd6sYHPNcsiw4Bg8XZgoPPXw

For further information please contact: Christina@blue-c.no/+47 93634449

No dance on the Avignon bridge.

The wind blew all night along the Rhone. I tented across from Saint-Étienne and left around 08:00. The winds settled down as I made my way to Avignon. 

After a couple of hours I hit a power station close to Caderousse and managed to drag the kayak through the trees.  

A narrow trail led down to the water.  

Paddled a good length before coming to "Roquemaure" and saw this amazing fort.  

Went around one more power station and paddled into Avignon. Here I was interviewed by a journalist from La Provence. 

Wish I could have stayed for a while, but paddled on. Carole, who with her husband own a canal boat, tipped me about Becky and Dave who have moored their boat at Aramon. I met Carole and her husband when I first entered North France. She formed a FB site for women on barges. I positioned the bow downstream and paddled hard south. 

Becky and Dave had to stay an extra night due to the strong winds. They invited me to stay onboard for the evening and night. They are from the San Francisco area but have a beautiful boat here in France of which they use six months of the year. 

All in all, around 50 km today.  

No dance on the Avignon bridge.

The wind blew all night along the Rhone. I tented across from Saint-Étienne and left around 08:00. The winds settled down as I made my way to Avignon. 

After a couple of hours I hit a power station close to Caderousse and managed to drag the kayak through the trees.  

A narrow trail led down to the water.  

Paddled a good length before coming to "Roquemaure" and saw this amazing fort.  

Went around one more power station and paddled into Avignon. Here I was interviewed by a journalist from La Provence. 

Wish I could have stayed for a while, but paddled on. Carole, who with her husband own a canal boat, tipped me about Becky and Dave who have moored their boat at Aramon. I met Carole and her husband when I first entered North France. She formed a FB site for women on barges. I positioned the bow downstream and paddled hard south. 

Becky and Dave had to stay an extra night due to the strong winds. They invited me to stay onboard for the evening and night. They are from the San Francisco area but have a beautiful boat here in France of which they use six months of the year. 

All in all, around 50 km today.