Bitter-Enders Admit Defeat and Come Home

Bitter-end paddlers Jack Vincent, Peter Coates and Peter Kasurak were forced to abandon their trip on the Mississippi River this Sunday by a sudden flash freeze.

"Who knew water could freeze so fast," said Jack.  "It was only -15 C. last night." ...

Peter Coates said that the province should upgrade its river guages and start reporting ice thickness as well as flow.  "This could save many a wasted trip," he said.

Meanwhile, in nearby Lanark, citizens were relieved that that seasonal depredations of butter tart stocks had ended.  An resident who did not wish to be named said, "Those come-from-away city folk take them all.  Maybe we can have a quiet Christmas now."

Other club members who were associated with the trip earlier in the week were:

• Gerry and Nancy "our furnace is broke" Godsoe;
• Karen "I've got a cold" McFaul; and
• Yannick "midnight drop-out" Lockhead.