And so Krista and I find ourselves at Pearson, Toronto’s international airport, awaiting our flight to London.

It doesn’t matter how much planning goes into a trip of this sort – you still have to pack your bags. For Krista and I, this proved an adventure in itself. If everyone finds life in 2015 to be complicated, Krista’s is more complex than most. As a veterinary surgeon, telephone calls and messages continued through the day, checking on the progress of recent patients, and making plans for upcoming treatments. Did you think that you life was complicated by your dog or cat? Imagining Krista’s life, which she shares with cats and reptiles and myriad birds. The needs of each have to be met before departure for the airport. How much lettuce can a turtle eat? You need how many crickets for the lizard? And then there is the little matter of a bag to carry our canoe paddles. Krista’s bag was suitable for paddles that telescope into themselves, but were a tad short for our beautiful five-foot long wooden paddles.

And as the day unfolded I wondered how much easier we might have made things by simply paddling the River Thames itself. From Kemble to the west end of London. Done! Lots of fun, and lots of adventure, but only one craft to paddle, and only one type of clothing. We might have got away with carry-on luggage.

But that isn’t what adventurers do. They don’t do things by half just because it would be easier. Krista and I arrived at Pearson with our carry-on bags, four large duffel bags full of adventure gear, and our Alfred plush toys to join us on our voyage. Tomorrow morning – London! Think of us.

- Glen