Live, from McLaren Island, it's the South Channel Blog!

Channel Man Stan continues to slowly improve today. His nurse reports that his vital signs are solid and this has been a good day for him. We are all encouraged with his progress and are hopeful that the trend continues. However, we also remain mindful that we are riding the ICU roller coaster.

My trip north to the cottage went without a hitch. I am especially pleased that I seem to have beaten the mad rush of cottagers heading up from Toronto. The bay is alive tonight, with regular boat traffic every few minutes as people head out to their South Channel retreats in anticipation of a banner weather forecast for a beautiful weekend. The natural beauty of this place is beyond description. Channel Man will kick himself for missing out on this one.

I am assembling equipment and notes in preparation of starting water testing tomorrow morning for the 2006 season. On my way into town, I stopped by the Township of The Archipelago offices and picked up ColiPlates and documentation for the new testing protocol to be used this season. Unfortunately, Greg Mason was unexpectedly called out to do a last minute inspection this afternoon, so I didn't get a chance to meet with him in person. However, I left the cottage phone number at his office and he called me here to discuss the new procedures. I feel confident that I will be able to temporarily step into Channel Man's size 13 shoes and get the job done to his satisfaction. It's good to be "home".