On the 18^th Sept 10, 10 personnel from 165 Port Regt and 2 personnel from 17 Port and Maritime Regt departed from Heathrow to Edmonton in Alberta, Canada for expedition Mulberry Paddle. After the eight hour flight, we were met by Lt Lisa Bayduza, Commanding officer of 2995 Lac La Biche Army cadets our hosts for the exercise, at Edmonton airport and driven three hours north to Lac la Biche. We arrived at the Cadet offices, where we were to spend the first night, in the late afternoon local time and were treated to a Wendy’s "Baconator" burger for dinner, the first of much red meat to be eaten over the week, but this seems in keeping with our hosts who apparently eat "a pound of red meat a day" and all seem fit and healthy for it. We were kitted out with all the equipment we would need including super warm Canadian Army sleeping bags, axes and chainsaw, tents and the all important Bear spray, essentially a fire extinguisher sized can of pepper spray – but note the maximum range of just four meters!

The following morning the town came out to greet us and cook us a true Canadian breakfast of eggs, bacon, waffles, fruit and loads of maple syrup. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police also came along and gave us a demonstration of all their equipment. After this we headed out to the Provincial Park to start our AT expedition.

On arrival in the park we collected our canoes and the rest of the equipment and set off for the lakes. This involved dragging the canoes on carts for three kilometres in order to reach the water. Once on the water we paddled off through stunning scenery to reach our campsite. We stayed at an official park campsite which consisted of a fire pit, a picnic table, a toilet – a big hole with a seat on top - and a bear proof frame to store the food. We set up our tents, well away from where we were to store the food and cook and got a fire going. We were now the only humans for miles around, surrounded by bears, timber wolves, coyotes, bald eagles, beavers, moose and deer. All creature comforts were now well behind us. Even the toothpaste had to be left behind as it attracts the bears - instead we had to brush our teeth with bicarbonate of soda, which is effective but not the most pleasant tasting condiment.

We spent most of the next five days on the water, paddling the lakes and enjoying the wildlife, scenery and isolation. Half way through our time we were visited by our hosts, who brought out some white tailed deer they had shot, from which we made a lovely venison stew that was a welcome change to the diet of albeit very tasty Canadian ration packs – no biscuits brown here. We also made a point of visiting the cairns dedicated to the Canadian airmen killed in the Second World War after whom each of the lakes are named. This gave a poignant reminder to all of us about the sacrifice made by our Canadian cousins on our behalf.

After a truly wonderful time in the wild we made our way back to meet our hosts and return to civilisation. We were put up on our return in the local motel and treated to a steak dinner and entertainment at the Royal Canadian Legion. A night everyone will remember if only for the size of the steaks! The following morning we bid farewell to our new friends and were transported back to Edmonton for the flight home. Everyone who took part enjoyed every minute of their time in Canada and most were already thinking about going back for personal holidays before we had even left. Now the roles are reversed as the Canadian cadets have flown here for their week in England. I only hope we can give them at least half the experience and welcome they gave us.

This expedition was only made possible by the generous donations from Ulysses trust, RLC one day pay scheme and the Connaught Drill Hall trust.