Our Blog
Sharing the latest stories of what's happening on and off the island
A Year in the Life of a Kayak Guide
2018 was a huge year for me In January a friend (thanks Jo) reassured me that I had the skills to be a Canadian kayak guide, sending me down a path I never expected I’d get to walk. A google search in February prompted me to email some guy called Brody at Go With The…
Read MoreFestive thoughts
Christmas is approaching. Down here in New Zealand that means the Pohutukawa trees are flowering bright red, the sun is setting just after 9 each night, and the kids have just finished the school year. It was a very odd experience last week to be sitting in the garden, wrestling with Go With The Flow’s instagram…
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Harbour Seal
It’s been a busy few weeks. There is so much to learn guiding down here in New Zealand, for a start all the weather systems are upside down and now a southerly wind doesn’t mean lovely warm air blown up from the tropics, but a cold gust coming up from the Antarctic. Then there’s the…
Read MoreCurrent Events
Arriving to Go with the Flow We start our tours with a water taxi ride out to Maurelle Island. We leave from the historic Heriot Bay Inn and cruise up the east coast of Quadra Island until Maurelle’s Dome Mountain appears on the mountainous horizon. Then we duck into Surge Narrows, and that’s when things…
Read MoreGoing with the Flow in New Zealand
Golden Bay New Zealand Three months ago I got a job down in Golden Bay in New Zealand through a series of long distance phone calls and confused time zone emails. Now I’m here in Takaka and after a hectic couple of weeks of exploring, learning and kayaking, I’ve finally got enough time to write…
Read MoreCooking in the Wilderness
Our Destination is Near The wind is blowing and the sea state is changing quickly. Looking around me, I notice the group is starting to fatigue and hunger is starting to set in. As one of the sea kayak guides leading this group, I know exactly what will need to happen when we arrive at…
Read MoreThe Giants of the Forest
Ancient Forest Alliance Full disclosure, I’m writing this on the final stopover of my 33 hour journey to New Zealand, incredibly tired and full of coffee. That may have had an emotional impact; I’m feeling pretty homesick for the Discovery Islands right now. I miss a lot of things about lush, green, quiet Maurelle, but…
Read MoreCalifornia Stichopus Cucumber of the Sea
The Squishy Stichopus Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the California sea cucumber. Cristina has given me free reign to write about things that I’m passionate about, and as previous guests, or indeed anyone I’ve been around this summer, can attest, nothing makes me more excited than these adorable slimy sea balloons.…
Read MorePreparing Yummy Plum Preserve
The Busy Harvest It can be overwhelming in the fall after a busy summer to settle into the harvest and figure out what to do with all the bounty falling from the trees. If I have freezer room I will simply harvest the fruit whole, freezer bag it and figure out what I’m going to…
Read MoreReflections on Connections
Divisive Devices In my Internet wanderings this week I stumbled across a remarkable statistic; 35% of British Columbians would prefer to give up their spouse for the day than go without their smartphone. This little nugget is from a recent study released by BC Hydro that looks into our relationships with our devices. “A new…
Read MoreHazelnut Garden Harvest
Garden To Table In Action This week Cristina has been processing hazelnuts, many, many hazelnuts picked from the big tree in the yard. The nuts need to be husked and dried in front of the woodstove, then shelled by hand, which the whole family helps with, grabbing a quick handful to crack whenever they walk…
Read MoreMeet Wonder Kat!
There’s a new face bouncing around Maurelle I’m Kat, and having spent the summer guiding for Go With The Flow, I’m really excited to spend the off-season telling the world about it on social media and contributing to the website. I’m from the UK originally, and spent my time there guiding outdoor trips for young people…
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