News and Updates September 1, 2011
Shetland seas in winter Out Skerries
Photo Credit Edwin Tait
Dear Chris and Barbara
I just want to say thank you so much for giving my wife Winnie and myself the opportunity to paddle from Aith with you and the other crew members.
When we decided to holiday in Shetland this year we never dreamed that our activities would include canoeing , especially in such a unique canoe and with such friendly crew members.
For some time now I have been saying that when I retire I am going to build a canoe; well I've retired, and meeting you guys has inspired me to start building.
Winnie and I are looking forward to seeing you next year.
Good Paddling and Best Wishes
David & Winnie Millington
Shetland seas in winter Out Skerries
Photo Credit Edwin Tait
Dave from HM Coastguard skippering Spirit Dancer
News and Updates August 16th 2011
Spirit Dancer being sailed from Brae to Aith a super day on the Voe.
Have just arrived in Dundee after a month in Shetland. It has been a most marvelous experience for all of us and so much has come out of this experience. We managed a sail with Spirit Dancer to Aith from Brae about 7 miles down the Voe, magic!! Photos will follow when we arrive in England and have access to wifi. One of many hightlights in Shetland were two meetings about youth exchange between the two countries, one with Global Classroom Lerwick, and one with four ladies in Scalloway for exchange for youth to First Nations communities in British Columbia.
Wildflowers at Maywick Bay, Shetland
I will post more information on the website once I have caught my breath at home. I am only home for three days and away again up the coast with a group for ten days. I thank all again for helping with this project. It has been a super experience for all of us. Spirit Dancer has been tucked away for the winter at Saxa Vord, Unst, Shetland.
Best wishes Chris and Barbara Cooper
Minding the sheep at Jim and Marina White's sheep ranch Maywick Bay, Shetland
News and Updates August 07, 2011
The opportunity to paddle the Eshaness coast came together when Mark Burgess picked me up and trailered Spirit Dancer to the put in at Tangwick, on the south side of Northmavine peninsula. Although we were only out for a few hours with weather quickly closing in on us, the fact that we made it out there was brilliant. We had twelve in our crew made up of local people and HMS coastguard staff and paddler Dave who knows the area so well.
We were amoungst many sea stacks and caves including one that was many feet long and managed to get Spirit Dancer inside this is the first ever cave we have been in with the canoe, quite something I must say.
The weather very quickly changed with strong winds and rain caught us up. I think the crew were glad to be ashore as the weather report was saying strong northerly winds to force 6 in the afternoon. We winched Spirit Dancer in onto the trailer and headed for tea at the restaurant overlooking Tangwick Bay.
The canoe is now based at the Brae marina ready for next week.
Regards to all, Chris G. Cooper
Sea caves at Eshaness, Northmavine, Shetland
Sea Stacks at Eshaness, Northmavine, Shetland
News and Updates August 06, 2011
An amazing place where we will launch our canoe tomorrow, Tangwick, Northmavine, Shetland
Just a brief update about what has unfolded during the past four days. We went on a scouting mission to Eshaness with Mark Burgess, a photographer. He is a man of many hats here in Scalloway. Eshaess is an amazing area to consider launching Spirit Dancer tomorrow as there are many caves and sea stacks for filming.
The Drongs at Eshaness Mainland Shetland
Today we spent the day at Voe's annual agricultural show. It was very interesting and very well attended. Even though it was fairly cold through the day, it was still overall a great day. We met many folks who were very interested in the canoe.
A very cute Shetland Pony at the Voe agricultural show, Shetland
Spirit Dancer will be based in Brae for the next week with one trip to Aith next Thursday and Friday.
Breaking out of the surf at Burrafirth, Unst, Shetland
As Keith, who does the web updates, is away on holidays till the 17th of August, further updates will not be posted till then.
Till then, best wishes to all who are following our journey.
Chris G. Cooper
Derek's Land Rover heading for the beach with Spirit Dancer Burrafirth, Unst.
News and Updates August 02 2011
Our crew at Burrafirth after our journey to the headland of UK
Our crew has had a marvelous time in Shetland and we want to thank all who have supported the journey around the coast to so many comunities for the past two weeks. We have quite a few more communities to visit before our departure back to Scotland and England.
Over 350 people of all ages have had the chance to experience Spirit Dancer on the water. We would like to thank Frank and Debbie at Saxa Vord for the great meal provided to our crew and also the offer of storing Spirit Dancer for the winter at the resort and the old RAF site on the northend of Unst. Please note their website: www.saxavord.co.uk
Crew at Saxa Vord after a fine meal compliments of owners Frank and Debbie.
Thanks also, to Derek and Cheryl who helped moved Spirit Dancer back and forth to Unst. Cheryl has an amazing assortment of hand crafted contemporary fused glass which are produced on Unst. Her website: www.glansinglass.co.uk
Thanks to Steven Spence who composed and produced the most amazing piece of music for Spirit Dancer as a special piece commissioned by Jane Macaulay our host on Unst. Steven's website: www.spenciestunes.com
Derek and Natalie having an interview with Don Jonasson
After four incredible days on Unst we moved on to Out Skerries, a very small group of islands east of the community of Vidlin. This is a very special group of islanders with a population of seventy six.
Most of the villagers came out with us in the canoe and on our final night had a presentation for Marina Tait and family and all the villagers along with others that were visiting at the community hall. A great time shared by all.
Natalie with a Shetland Pony on the Isle of Unst.
The next visit was to the community of Vidlin hosted by Jane Jacobs and the rowing club. A record of 135 people went out in Spirit Dancer in 24hrs!!
A very spectacular vista of the Muckle Flugga lighthouse, north end of Unst, Shetland
Fortunately for me I am having a rest day today by spending most of the time on the phone, checking messages and returning emails!! We are now based in Scalloway for a short while before setting off for Voe, Aith, and Brae which will take us to the 13th of August.
Overlooking Burra Firth and the shore station Unst, Shetland
I will try updating the website again before the 9th of August, thanks to our friend Keith who has been helping update the website when he can. I do hope all who are following are enjoying the images and updates as we explore some ofthe most amazing coastline of Shetland.
Our best regards to all, Chris G.Cooper
Spirit Dancer on the Northcoast of Bruray, Out Skerries, Shetland
News and Updates Aug.1st, 2011
Impossible is Nothing trailer - A trailer for the 57 minute video The Impossible is Nothing. This is an inspirational documentary about ten youth and their three chaperones from the Penticton Band of the Okanogan Nation, who, against steep odds, raised enough money to travel to the Orkney Isles off of North Scotland to paddle a 42 foot Canadian canoe and renew historic First Nation - Orkadian cultural bonds. (For best results click on HD at the lower right corner of screen to turn it off. Start video then pause and give several minutes to download at least half way before viewing.)
British Isles by Canoe, Glasgow to Orkney - A short overview of the 2009 three month journey of the 42' Canadian canoe Spirit Dancer from Glasgow to Orkney. (For best results click on HD at the lower right corner of screen to turn it off. Start video then pause and give several minutes to download at least half way before viewing.)
Shore station Burrafirth, Unst, with Spirit Dancer moored safely.
News and Updates July 28th 2011
Our crew arrived in Baltasound, Unst near the top of UK. It is a very interesting landscape with amazing views of the sea. There are about 700 people living here in this most northerly island. Yesterday was a huge highlight of the journey by canoe as we managed to get very close to the last headland of UK with large swell of 3 to 4 meters as we paddled out of the Burrafirth towards Muckle Flugga. Picture on website.
Our hire car with Canadian crew! Unst, Shetland
The seas were large enough to turn us around as we did have novice paddlers with us. One of our crew did feel quite ill from the larger seas. There was very little wind and this was the only day we had to see this area and be close to the most northerly section of the coast of UK.
We came ashore on a beautiful beach under very warm and sunny conditions. After a good break we set off for the Shore Station and moored Spirit Dancer there and waited for the flood tide so we could bring her in on the surf at the beach on the south end of Burrafirth.
About 2:00pm we headed up to the community ( Shore Station ) sheep shearing ( Caain-time ) occasion where 30 farmers with a 1000 head of sheep were being shorn. I was selected on behalf of the crew to experience this occasion. It was brilliant!! Picture on website.
In the evening of the Baltasound community we were introduced to dance Unst style, with all sorts of goodies including baked goods with lots of chocolate, shortbread and many other items prepared by the local community. There is a real feel of community spirit here in Unst and for outside visitors we have been made very welcome. We thank Jane Macaulay for the most amazing hosting for our Spirit Dancer crew.
I am now off to visit the Laird of the land David and Jennifer Edmondston to return the key for the gate that allowed us to trailer the canoe to the beach where we launched Spirit Dancer yesterday.
More to come
Regards Chris G. Cooper
News and Updates July 27rd 2011
Chris attempting his first ever sheep shearing at Burrafirth, Unst.
Sea caves on Burrafirth, Unst, Shetland
Spirit Dancer and crew at the end of coastal UK in Burrafirth. Muckle Flugga in the distance.
Spirit Dancer and guests in Scalloway Harbour Shetland
Photo - Mark Burgess
News and Updates July 23rd 2011
Don Jonasson in his glory with the Massey Ferguson tractor
Two more Canadians flew in yesterday to Sumburgh Airport Shetland to join us here in Scalloway. Spirit Dancer is being moved to Lerwick harbour today for the festivities of the Tall Ship event. I have been told that there are over fifty tall ships of all sizes including the Mir from Russia.
On Monday Spirit Dancer will be moved to Unst to celebrate four days with the community there and we hope to get her out to the most northerly point of Shetland Muckle Flugga. This of course will be very much dependent on the weather which has been a very strong northerly wind which is somewhat unusual for this time of year.
Traveling to Cullivoe on the Island of Yell, a superb landscape.
Yesterday we had eleven German sailors out in Spirit Dancer from the sail boat Esprit. They all had fun and we have now been invited to join them on their tall ship.
All is well here in Scalloway and we have been staying in the youth center for the last four days. On our second day we paddled out to the island of Papa with paddler Mark. Papa is located on the west side of Shetland. Mark is a local photographer and has lived here all his life. We had a fine day out there and seas were friendly.
Vikings captured by Canadians on the Isle of Yell. On route to Canada!!
Most likely we shall send another report early next week once we have moved to Unst.
Our best wishes to all, Chris G. Cooper
News and Updates July 21st 2011
Our first day in Scalloway. Sixteen people went out with us that evening. An amazing place.
Kevin Tulloch moving Spirit Dancer to Cullivoe, Yell, Shetland
Our crew of 5 arrived in Lerwick, Shetland after a 7hr voyage from Kirkwall, Orkney. Seas were calm and managed a bit of sleep on the journey over.
Kevin Tulloch came down to Lerwick from Cullivoe, Yell to trailer Spirit Dancer to their community for a two day festival for over 600 folks. They came from many areas of Shetland and some of them were very scary looking Vikings that ended up in our canoe! All 16 of them were in full regalia. They played the part incredibly well and when they finally managed to fit in the canoe I mentioned to them that in fact they were indeed now traveling like their ancestors back to Canada via Iceland and Greenland!! The Vikings were equipped very well including spears and shields, heavy armour and lots of port to drink!!
We have some great video and still images of this very special occasion over the 2 days we took out over 100 folks in Spirit Dancer a grand success.
The entrance to the harbour Lerwick, Shetland a land of fascination.
The landscape here reminds me very much of Canada's High Western Arctic with rolling hills and very dramatic coastlines. It is an absolutely beautiful landscape with very kind people looking after our crew. Quite a few folks here are on holiday. Some have joined us from Norway, France, Northern Island and other regions of England and Scotland.
Our proposed itinerary is posted under "Maps and Legs" on the website. We are assured of an amazing experience with visits to over a dozen communities throughout Shetland. The canoe has been a huge success with plenty of very interested people wondering what is this strange craft!
Chris Duff - extreme rower from Seattle, Washington, USA waiting out the weather to Cross to Iceland.
You can follow Chris on Facebook or Google "Northern Reach".
Chris is a wonderful and very serious adventurer.
At present we are based in Scalloway ( Youth Center ) near Lerwick surrounded by a beautful landscape. It is great for the photographer.
We will attempt to keep things interesting for the viewers with postings when possible.
Best regards to all, Chris G. Cooper
Yesnaby in a Breeze - photo credit: Johnny Johnston
(Yesnaby on the West coast of Orkney)
July 13, 2011 - Chris's new mobile number is - 07933 597 559
July 7, 2011
Hi Chris
I'm sure you are aware of the Up Helly Aa festival here in Yell - www.cullivoeuphellyaa.com
We will have the Up Helly Aa jarl squad at our event, in their viking dress; and thought it would be good to get them aboard Spirit Dancer for a paddle - possibly from the local marina to the pier, (about 200 metres) on Monday 18th.
I had considered billing it as a 'vinland return visit' - 1,000 years after the vikings travelled from here to Canada!
What would your thoughts be on this?
Regards
Barry
Sail Yell
Mainland Orkney - a beautiful and tranquil place - photo taken last summer 2010
News and Updates June 29th 2011
This will be the last of the updates till we arrive once again in UK July 10th 2011, just to let others know and the ones following us, there will be many updates while in Orkney and Shetland this summer, we hope to film most of it thanks to Don Jonasson who was with me in 2009 for 3 months, so we hope the film will be of interest to many that will appreciate Don's work.
A special thanks to all the folks in Shetland that are helping setting up our itinerary while there ( July 18th to August 14th ) I am sure it will be a grand time for all. We have 6 Canadians coming over this season so this will be an amazing time for all of them. We will post a new mobile telephone number once we have the opportunity to reactivate the mobile.
Spirit Dancer at Birsay, Orkney A magnificent place.
We are being very hopeful to find a place in Shetland that would have a garage or barn that will be safe for Spirit Dancer and trailer to winter over, we are planning to come back next year ( mid June ) 2012 to help facilitate a cross cultural exchange for youth so this will also be a huge highlight for all concerned.
We thank all who are helping and following the canoe journey around the UK coastline.
Chris G. Cooper
Operations and Project Manager
Another amazing day at Birsay, Orkney.
News and Updates May 11 2011
Another exciting season is approaching with Spirit Dancer and the Shetland Islands. I have been in touch with key people there in regards to the Tall Ship event and also positioning our canoe to different parts of the Shetland Islands.
It is our hope to take many of the people of Shetland out in Spirit Dancer to experience a traditional craft from Canada which has been modified for the coastline of Britain and to also make some very good contacts throughout the islands with the hope of creating ties for Cross Cultural exchange for youth both from Canada and UK.
We are pleased to announce that we will have a videographer with us to document the five weeks in Shetland. I have been advised that there will be a press release designed for media to announce our event and the arrival of Spirit Dancer which will be an amazing experience for the local people and the Canadians coming over this year.
There will be changes to the website over the next few months, in regards to our Mission Statement, proposed itinerary and the new press release for the community of Shetland.
Best wishes to all who are following our progress around the British Isles.
Chris G. Cooper
Operations and Project Manager
The Churchill Barriers built in the 1940s blocking Kirk Sound, Orkney
News and Updates for January 27th 2011
Happy New Year to all who are checking and following the news of Spirit Dancer and the Canadians that will be coming over to Shetland this year, it will be my first visit to Shetland and I am really looking forward to our experience of meeting the people of these very special Isles, this is now our fourth season over in UK with Spirit Dancer, our experiences are hard to come to grips with as each time I think about the amount of time, energy and planning the logistics it is truly the most exciting canoe journey I have ever taken on.
The Italian Chapel in Orkney. A very special place.
We would again like to thank North Link ferries for the support in getting Spirit Dancer canoe and some of our Canadians over to Shetland.
Our planned visit will be from July 17th to Lerwick for the Tall Ship event and then onto the outer isles for 3 weeks or so.
There should be a press release coming soon from some of the organizers in Shetland who are helping with our itinerary.
We hope to have a film maker with us to document the event and will know fairly soon.
Our plan is to leave Spirit Dancer in Shetland over the winter this year so that we can tie in more community visits in 2012 as I'm sure we will run out of time this year we will know more as we are making progress with our plans for this years visit.
Our best wishes to all,
Chris G. Cooper Operations and Project Manager
The West Manse in the distance - a place of tranquility and peace
Westray, Orkney
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