The last anchorage on the west coast of B.C. was within the confines of Bahia Magdalena, later in the season it is a breeding ground for Grey Whales. The village located at Bahia Man of War is a humble fishing village and for all intents and purposes is in decline. Probably like many rural communities around the world and unfortunately there was plenty of rubbish and broken/discarded machinery around the place (although around the houses was always clean and swept). Lobster fishermen use this place as a base but there are still a surprizing number of elderly people living there. After enquiring with the Port Captain (El Capitan de puerto) we were led to believe this was not the case, however after engaging some of the other residents it turned out that there were quite a few people there who would benefit from being fitted with glasses. The oldest lady we helped was 79 and was limited in her mobility. She has never learned to read but her daughter told us that her eyesight had deteriorated to the point where she was unable to sew any more. So in order to fit her with glasses we gave her a needle and thread and tested her with different strength glasses until she was finally able to repeatedly "thread the needle". Perhaps not an ideal diagnosis but at least she was now able to do again something she enjoyed. It still amazed us meeting people in their 60's who can't see and have never owned a pair of spectacles, something we all take for granted. We even came across a 10 year old boy who told us that he had a problem reading and we were able to provide him with vision assistance. In the end we were able to provide spectacles to 35 people on behalf of the Lions Clubs of Australia and Oregon. It continues to surprise us how many people know about the work the Lions Club does around the world.

A few miles down the coast of the same bay we spent a night at the camp of the Magdelana shark fisherman. Their huts would be described as rudimentary in anyone's books but again a lot of rubbish. The residents are not permanent, however the term "permanent" doesn't mean transient either. Many spend 8 or more months here at a time, often with their spouses - not an easy life and I have to take my hat off to the women who live here. All their water is carted from San Carlos by boat, 12 miles to the north. With the help of Mike from Easy we were able to provide 14 people here with glasses. The photo is of lines of shark meat that have been salted and are being dried in the sun and behind the racks are the humble shanties.