June 8th, 2010
Well there you have it, 299 days and 4100 nautical miles. This concludes our blog "The Log of Periwinkle II". Gill and I have really enjoyed this adventure and if you have thoughts of doing something like this, we recommend that you give it a try. Sure there will be some misadventures but over all it is a great experience. Periwinkle II is now safely home at her dock and the engine is off.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Collingwood, ON - HOME!!
Day 299, June 8th, 2010
The alarm went off at 5:00 and we'd slept well. Oh! I didn't want to get up! I was safe and warm there in bed and didn't want to face the day! But home was so close - only 3.5 hours!!!
We listened to the forecast again. Still strong winds but it sounded as if the worst of it would be coming the following day, Wednesday. Meanwhile the wave height at the buoy in the south of Georgian Bay was reported as 0.3 metres. with winds of 10 knots out of the west. The barometer was rising. This was an improvement. The wind had dropped by 5 knots and the wave height by 0.6 knots. I didn't like the idea of the wind coming out of the west though, knowing it would hit us broadside as we crossed the Bay. We got all our gear on again and set off.
The day was clear - we could see right across the Bay. The tiny pinpoint of white which is the elevator and those dear ski hills on the Niagara Escarpment.
It wasn't fun. The waves seemed higher than 0.3 when we got to open water. Back to the wallowing motion. Back to my imaginative thoughts as I white knuckled it at the helm. I'm not much of a conversationalist when I'm nervous so poor old John didn't have anyone to talk to! The good thing was, that I didn't hear any creaking from the wooden frame and dear little Periwinkle was as desperate to get home as me. Somehow or other she chugged along between 6.1 and 6.5 knots all the way across the Bay. I swear she could smell Slip #10, her little spot at the Collingwood Yacht Club. Slowly, slowly, we watched the "distance to waypoint" diminish from 15 nautical miles to 0. With each milestone there was comfort - we're halfway; less than 5 miles; less than 3 miles; less than 2.5 miles; we're almost home!!! We watched the elevator and the ski hills get bigger and then we could even see the houses. Finally, we were in the channel approaching the dear old elevator. What a wonderful landmark it is. As we turned the corner into the Harbour, we were surprised and excited to see the building at the "Shipyards" housing development on the waterfront.. So much has changed since we left home. We can't wait to explore.
I was glad there were few people about. It was lovely just to have a few moments to take in the moment. 4,100 miles and we'd closed the Loop. How lovely to be home again. What a trip, what an adventure!
The alarm went off at 5:00 and we'd slept well. Oh! I didn't want to get up! I was safe and warm there in bed and didn't want to face the day! But home was so close - only 3.5 hours!!!
We listened to the forecast again. Still strong winds but it sounded as if the worst of it would be coming the following day, Wednesday. Meanwhile the wave height at the buoy in the south of Georgian Bay was reported as 0.3 metres. with winds of 10 knots out of the west. The barometer was rising. This was an improvement. The wind had dropped by 5 knots and the wave height by 0.6 knots. I didn't like the idea of the wind coming out of the west though, knowing it would hit us broadside as we crossed the Bay. We got all our gear on again and set off.
The day was clear - we could see right across the Bay. The tiny pinpoint of white which is the elevator and those dear ski hills on the Niagara Escarpment.
It wasn't fun. The waves seemed higher than 0.3 when we got to open water. Back to the wallowing motion. Back to my imaginative thoughts as I white knuckled it at the helm. I'm not much of a conversationalist when I'm nervous so poor old John didn't have anyone to talk to! The good thing was, that I didn't hear any creaking from the wooden frame and dear little Periwinkle was as desperate to get home as me. Somehow or other she chugged along between 6.1 and 6.5 knots all the way across the Bay. I swear she could smell Slip #10, her little spot at the Collingwood Yacht Club. Slowly, slowly, we watched the "distance to waypoint" diminish from 15 nautical miles to 0. With each milestone there was comfort - we're halfway; less than 5 miles; less than 3 miles; less than 2.5 miles; we're almost home!!! We watched the elevator and the ski hills get bigger and then we could even see the houses. Finally, we were in the channel approaching the dear old elevator. What a wonderful landmark it is. As we turned the corner into the Harbour, we were surprised and excited to see the building at the "Shipyards" housing development on the waterfront.. So much has changed since we left home. We can't wait to explore.
I was glad there were few people about. It was lovely just to have a few moments to take in the moment. 4,100 miles and we'd closed the Loop. How lovely to be home again. What a trip, what an adventure!
Port Severn, ON
Day 298, June 7th, 2010
We left the wall ahead of Bluenoser at 8:40 and were through the swing bridge at 9:20 after crossing Sparrow Lake. Canadian Shield scenery. After living in Thunder Bay for 35 years and now in Collingwood, this is really home country!!
We arrived at Lock #44, The Big Chute, at 2:05. Just time to tie up on the blue line, pull up the dinghy and throw another jug of diesel in the tank. The guys called us up and competently caught us in the slings. This must be the best of all the locks. Its an extraordinary ride up in the marine railway, over the road and down to the water on the other side. All went so smoothly. When we were floating, John was told he could go ahead and again we tied up on the wall briefly so John could go below and "burp" the packless seal and lower the dinghy back down. Off we went again!
Through another couple of little lakes and we finally arrived at Port Severn. It was very windy. This is the smallest lock of all, built as a temporary lock in 1915. We waited while a 43ft cruiser locked through and then it was our turn. The weather forecast still wasn't good - much too windy to tackle Georgian Bay so we tied up on the west side. We went for a walk, bought an ice cream and a movie for $10 and then settled down to wait. We had a late supper at 7:30 but by the time we'd done the dishes the wind seemed to have dropped. Its a tricky little channel on the west side of Port Severn, so we decided to leave while there was still some light and make a try for it.
We just made it through the channel markers as the sun went down. All seemed okay at that point but we were still in the protected waters of the Waubaushene Channel. As we came out of the channel heading around the headland at Sawlog Point, the water changed considerably. The forecast had given the waters in the south of Georgian Bay as less then 1 metre but it was increasingly uncomfortable. Periwinkle was just wallowing in the waves, the wooden mast frame was creaking, and the wind was strong out of the WNW. It was obvious we would not be able to cross and should seek shelter. It seemed ironic that we had carried the survival suits, packed in a dry bag in the very back of the quarter berth, all these 4,000 miles, and on the very last night I'd dragged them out. They are lovely and warm and I felt more secure. I hate going through rough water with the mast down. Its my vivid imagination again as I picture the supports breaking up and the mast slipping. I had plans how I was going to cut the lines with a knife and see the mast sink overboard hoping Periwinkle wouldn't roll!! We looked at the chart and decided to head for Beckwith Island. Having reached there, the water was somewhat better but we chugged on a bit further to Christian Island and dropped the anchor in 26ft of water, not far from the ferry terminal. The water was calm there and we knew we could safely get some sleep. It was about 2:00 a.m. when we climbed into bed with the alarm set for 5:00 a.m.
We left the wall ahead of Bluenoser at 8:40 and were through the swing bridge at 9:20 after crossing Sparrow Lake. Canadian Shield scenery. After living in Thunder Bay for 35 years and now in Collingwood, this is really home country!!
We arrived at Lock #44, The Big Chute, at 2:05. Just time to tie up on the blue line, pull up the dinghy and throw another jug of diesel in the tank. The guys called us up and competently caught us in the slings. This must be the best of all the locks. Its an extraordinary ride up in the marine railway, over the road and down to the water on the other side. All went so smoothly. When we were floating, John was told he could go ahead and again we tied up on the wall briefly so John could go below and "burp" the packless seal and lower the dinghy back down. Off we went again!
Through another couple of little lakes and we finally arrived at Port Severn. It was very windy. This is the smallest lock of all, built as a temporary lock in 1915. We waited while a 43ft cruiser locked through and then it was our turn. The weather forecast still wasn't good - much too windy to tackle Georgian Bay so we tied up on the west side. We went for a walk, bought an ice cream and a movie for $10 and then settled down to wait. We had a late supper at 7:30 but by the time we'd done the dishes the wind seemed to have dropped. Its a tricky little channel on the west side of Port Severn, so we decided to leave while there was still some light and make a try for it.
We just made it through the channel markers as the sun went down. All seemed okay at that point but we were still in the protected waters of the Waubaushene Channel. As we came out of the channel heading around the headland at Sawlog Point, the water changed considerably. The forecast had given the waters in the south of Georgian Bay as less then 1 metre but it was increasingly uncomfortable. Periwinkle was just wallowing in the waves, the wooden mast frame was creaking, and the wind was strong out of the WNW. It was obvious we would not be able to cross and should seek shelter. It seemed ironic that we had carried the survival suits, packed in a dry bag in the very back of the quarter berth, all these 4,000 miles, and on the very last night I'd dragged them out. They are lovely and warm and I felt more secure. I hate going through rough water with the mast down. Its my vivid imagination again as I picture the supports breaking up and the mast slipping. I had plans how I was going to cut the lines with a knife and see the mast sink overboard hoping Periwinkle wouldn't roll!! We looked at the chart and decided to head for Beckwith Island. Having reached there, the water was somewhat better but we chugged on a bit further to Christian Island and dropped the anchor in 26ft of water, not far from the ferry terminal. The water was calm there and we knew we could safely get some sleep. It was about 2:00 a.m. when we climbed into bed with the alarm set for 5:00 a.m.
Lock #42
Day 297, June 6th, 2010
It rained all night and was still miserable in the morning. The thought of diving on the boat repeatedly again was not a happy thought. The nearer we get to home, the further away we seem!!!
Lock #40 was also full of weeds but luckily they got caught behind the doors when they opened and we didn't have too much trouble inching our way down to Lock #41 at Gamebridge, the last lock the East side of Lake Simcoe. This lock was clear!! We locked through and tied up on the wall again. John dove this time but it was easier to clear and everybody seemed confident this would be the last of the weeds!!
We set off again at 10:30 with only the weather to contend with - strong winds were forecast in the region. Lake Simcoe didn't look bad at first. We tried but had to turn back when the slop got uncomfortable. We went back behind the break wall and tied up on the inside wall. At first it sounded as if we'd have to wait the rest of the day and the next but after lunch the wind dropped from 20 knots to 10 knots and the sun came out. We decided to try again. It was quite a bit better and we made it across with no trouble.
At Atherley Narrows we stopped at a marina in Orillia for diesel and water and then carried on up Lake Couchiching. It was windy but we were fine and there were no weeds!!!
We arrived at Lock #42 just 10 minutes before 7:00 and locked through. The staff told us there was a swing bridge which would be closed at 7:00 and would not open again till 9:00, so we tied up on the west wall. We phoned home to Collingwood and let them know we hoped to be home Tuesday if the weather cooperated. There was another boat there - a 31ft motor boat, a really nice boat called Bluenoser. "Jim" had just bought it in Whitby and was taking it home to Penetang. After supper John went over and had a drink and a chat with Jim and his crew, Bruce, as they wanted to hear all about "The Great Loop". I gave my apologies and went to bed!
It rained all night and was still miserable in the morning. The thought of diving on the boat repeatedly again was not a happy thought. The nearer we get to home, the further away we seem!!!
Lock #40 was also full of weeds but luckily they got caught behind the doors when they opened and we didn't have too much trouble inching our way down to Lock #41 at Gamebridge, the last lock the East side of Lake Simcoe. This lock was clear!! We locked through and tied up on the wall again. John dove this time but it was easier to clear and everybody seemed confident this would be the last of the weeds!!
We set off again at 10:30 with only the weather to contend with - strong winds were forecast in the region. Lake Simcoe didn't look bad at first. We tried but had to turn back when the slop got uncomfortable. We went back behind the break wall and tied up on the inside wall. At first it sounded as if we'd have to wait the rest of the day and the next but after lunch the wind dropped from 20 knots to 10 knots and the sun came out. We decided to try again. It was quite a bit better and we made it across with no trouble.
At Atherley Narrows we stopped at a marina in Orillia for diesel and water and then carried on up Lake Couchiching. It was windy but we were fine and there were no weeds!!!
We arrived at Lock #42 just 10 minutes before 7:00 and locked through. The staff told us there was a swing bridge which would be closed at 7:00 and would not open again till 9:00, so we tied up on the west wall. We phoned home to Collingwood and let them know we hoped to be home Tuesday if the weather cooperated. There was another boat there - a 31ft motor boat, a really nice boat called Bluenoser. "Jim" had just bought it in Whitby and was taking it home to Penetang. After supper John went over and had a drink and a chat with Jim and his crew, Bruce, as they wanted to hear all about "The Great Loop". I gave my apologies and went to bed!
Lock #40
Day 296, June 5th, 2010
We left Bobcadgeon at 7:00 and did 15 miles to Fenelon Falls where we arrived shortly after 9:30. It was a good run with no problems! Then into Rosedale Lock #35 and across Balsam Lake. There's so much to see, so many pretty cottages, each with its own character. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining.
From Balsam, we went across Mitchell Lake - everything was fine. Then, as we approached Kirkfield Lock #36 (2nd largest lift lock in the world after Peterborough) we met a sailboat coming the other way, tied up on the wall. We called out to warn him of the weeds. His reply was "Its worse coming here!" "Oh! It can't be!" I stupidly replied. "We've had to dive on the boat to free up the prop 4 or 5 times already!" "That's just about what I'm going to do now!"
Into the lock we went and were joined by a 36ft motor cruiser - the guy had just picked it up in Albany, NY and was bringing it home to Midland. He reckoned he hadn't had any trouble with the weeds.
Coming out of Kirkfield, the motor cruiser took off fast and was in the distance very rapidly. Meanwhile, the rpm dropped while we were still in the channel and all of a sudden we were going nowhere. The channel was thick with weeds. There was quite a wind blowing too from the starboard bow and before John could drop the anchor we were blown out of the channel towards a rocky outcropping with a Trent Severn sign. The anxiety didn't end when we realised the anchor wasn't holding - it too, was clogged with weeds immediately. I scrambled out of my clothes, donned my skin, no time for the wet suit, and jumped overboard. The grass was so thick around me and I could stand on the weed bed with my flippers. I thought for sure the boat must have gone aground, but John assured me it was still rocking! Several dives later the prop and shaft were clear and we tried to move up, back into the channel, but it was hopeless, we just got choked up again immediately before John could get the anchor up. We tried tying the dinghy to the port side of the boat and using the 15hp outboard along with the main engine, but then brown smoke started pouring from the exhaust. I thought we'd lost the engine!
A fishing boat came by with 2 guys. They had a 50hp motor and offered to help. We threw them a tow line and they pulled while John struggled to raise the anchor. They did manage to get us back into the channel but it was pretty obvious they didn't have enough power. We dropped the anchor again. Then we saw a motor cruiser come out of Kirkfield lock and was approaching up the channel. I called them on Channel 16 and asked if they would consider giving us a tow. The Prescott Coast Guard must monitor Ch.16 very carefully, because they came back to me and offered their assistance. I explained that the motor cruiser was going to try to take a tow line and Prescott stood by on Ch. 65 while John tried to throw them a line.
Several tries later though, the motor cruiser gave up. They just didn't have the confidence to do it. Quite understandable. But a jet boat had happened by too, a man and his two young sons, and they offered to tow us into Bolsover. We kept the Coast Guard up to date and they made contact with the captain on his cell phone. It was decided they would take us to Sunset Cove Marina in Bolsover. The jet boat was about 18ft and at first we really didn't think they would have the power, but we made a good steady 2-3 knots across the dreaded Canal Lake, about 5 miles, to Sunset Cove. Luckily there was an empty slip where we were able to tie up. John wanted to pay the guy for his fuel and time but he wouldn't hear of it. "Just pass the favour on when you get the opportunity - that's what boating is all about!" That's the boating community for you!!! Bless his heart!! We called Prescott Coast Guard too, of course, and let them know we were safely tied up on the dock, and thanked them for their support. They wished us well with our engine problem. John then dove on the boat again. He pulled great rafts of weeds from the rudder. He couldn't even see the prop and shaft at first - it was just a huge ball of weed! Once that was cleared off, John tried the engine but there was no water coming from the exhaust. He took the water intake hose off the engine and blew down the line. It cleared and when we tried again we had lots of water coming from the exhaust. He felt we could continue! I was so stressed out. I'd thought we'd lost the engine for sure and had had visions of trucking her home and having to get a new engine. My goodness, my imagination is alarming!! I've always considered myself as a pretty fearless person, but this was all getting to me. At one point I announced to John "my cruising days are done!" The proprietor of Sunset Cove was also very kind and wished us well on our journey without taking anything for the use of his dock. Thanks Sunset! He and a couple of fellas on the dock told us that that would be the end of the weeds. They were wrong!!!
Our next lock was #37, got through that one and then into the narrow man made channel. Lots of weeds again. We backed up several times but knew the prop was wrapped again. We got into Lock #39 and saw rafts of weeds actually in the lock. When the west side doors were opened and we attempted to leave the lock, we couldn't go anywhere! The lockmaster eventually threw us a line down and he pulled us out of the lock until we could tie up on the wall.
My turn this time. Down I went, had to struggle to get a huge raft off the rudder - couldn't even see the prop, except for this huge mass of weeds. It seemed to take ages to chop away but gradually the prop and shaft were clear. Meanwhile the lockmaster had given John a garden rake to clear the rafts of floating weeds from the boat. There was a bit of a current there going down from Lock #39 to Lock #40 so we realised that if we didn't set off then, the rafts of weeds would all be ahead of us and we'd be stuck again, so while the prop was clear we set off again and made it the .8 mile to Lock #40. By this time it was almost dark. We had a look into Lock #40 - more weeds. All a bit depressing! We thought we'd feel better after something to eat so sat down to barbecued pork chops at 8:30 at night!!
We left Bobcadgeon at 7:00 and did 15 miles to Fenelon Falls where we arrived shortly after 9:30. It was a good run with no problems! Then into Rosedale Lock #35 and across Balsam Lake. There's so much to see, so many pretty cottages, each with its own character. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining.
From Balsam, we went across Mitchell Lake - everything was fine. Then, as we approached Kirkfield Lock #36 (2nd largest lift lock in the world after Peterborough) we met a sailboat coming the other way, tied up on the wall. We called out to warn him of the weeds. His reply was "Its worse coming here!" "Oh! It can't be!" I stupidly replied. "We've had to dive on the boat to free up the prop 4 or 5 times already!" "That's just about what I'm going to do now!"
Into the lock we went and were joined by a 36ft motor cruiser - the guy had just picked it up in Albany, NY and was bringing it home to Midland. He reckoned he hadn't had any trouble with the weeds.
Coming out of Kirkfield, the motor cruiser took off fast and was in the distance very rapidly. Meanwhile, the rpm dropped while we were still in the channel and all of a sudden we were going nowhere. The channel was thick with weeds. There was quite a wind blowing too from the starboard bow and before John could drop the anchor we were blown out of the channel towards a rocky outcropping with a Trent Severn sign. The anxiety didn't end when we realised the anchor wasn't holding - it too, was clogged with weeds immediately. I scrambled out of my clothes, donned my skin, no time for the wet suit, and jumped overboard. The grass was so thick around me and I could stand on the weed bed with my flippers. I thought for sure the boat must have gone aground, but John assured me it was still rocking! Several dives later the prop and shaft were clear and we tried to move up, back into the channel, but it was hopeless, we just got choked up again immediately before John could get the anchor up. We tried tying the dinghy to the port side of the boat and using the 15hp outboard along with the main engine, but then brown smoke started pouring from the exhaust. I thought we'd lost the engine!
A fishing boat came by with 2 guys. They had a 50hp motor and offered to help. We threw them a tow line and they pulled while John struggled to raise the anchor. They did manage to get us back into the channel but it was pretty obvious they didn't have enough power. We dropped the anchor again. Then we saw a motor cruiser come out of Kirkfield lock and was approaching up the channel. I called them on Channel 16 and asked if they would consider giving us a tow. The Prescott Coast Guard must monitor Ch.16 very carefully, because they came back to me and offered their assistance. I explained that the motor cruiser was going to try to take a tow line and Prescott stood by on Ch. 65 while John tried to throw them a line.
Several tries later though, the motor cruiser gave up. They just didn't have the confidence to do it. Quite understandable. But a jet boat had happened by too, a man and his two young sons, and they offered to tow us into Bolsover. We kept the Coast Guard up to date and they made contact with the captain on his cell phone. It was decided they would take us to Sunset Cove Marina in Bolsover. The jet boat was about 18ft and at first we really didn't think they would have the power, but we made a good steady 2-3 knots across the dreaded Canal Lake, about 5 miles, to Sunset Cove. Luckily there was an empty slip where we were able to tie up. John wanted to pay the guy for his fuel and time but he wouldn't hear of it. "Just pass the favour on when you get the opportunity - that's what boating is all about!" That's the boating community for you!!! Bless his heart!! We called Prescott Coast Guard too, of course, and let them know we were safely tied up on the dock, and thanked them for their support. They wished us well with our engine problem. John then dove on the boat again. He pulled great rafts of weeds from the rudder. He couldn't even see the prop and shaft at first - it was just a huge ball of weed! Once that was cleared off, John tried the engine but there was no water coming from the exhaust. He took the water intake hose off the engine and blew down the line. It cleared and when we tried again we had lots of water coming from the exhaust. He felt we could continue! I was so stressed out. I'd thought we'd lost the engine for sure and had had visions of trucking her home and having to get a new engine. My goodness, my imagination is alarming!! I've always considered myself as a pretty fearless person, but this was all getting to me. At one point I announced to John "my cruising days are done!" The proprietor of Sunset Cove was also very kind and wished us well on our journey without taking anything for the use of his dock. Thanks Sunset! He and a couple of fellas on the dock told us that that would be the end of the weeds. They were wrong!!!
Our next lock was #37, got through that one and then into the narrow man made channel. Lots of weeds again. We backed up several times but knew the prop was wrapped again. We got into Lock #39 and saw rafts of weeds actually in the lock. When the west side doors were opened and we attempted to leave the lock, we couldn't go anywhere! The lockmaster eventually threw us a line down and he pulled us out of the lock until we could tie up on the wall.
My turn this time. Down I went, had to struggle to get a huge raft off the rudder - couldn't even see the prop, except for this huge mass of weeds. It seemed to take ages to chop away but gradually the prop and shaft were clear. Meanwhile the lockmaster had given John a garden rake to clear the rafts of floating weeds from the boat. There was a bit of a current there going down from Lock #39 to Lock #40 so we realised that if we didn't set off then, the rafts of weeds would all be ahead of us and we'd be stuck again, so while the prop was clear we set off again and made it the .8 mile to Lock #40. By this time it was almost dark. We had a look into Lock #40 - more weeds. All a bit depressing! We thought we'd feel better after something to eat so sat down to barbecued pork chops at 8:30 at night!!
Bobcadgeon, ON
Day 295, June 4th, 2010
We were waiting at Lock 25 at 9:00 a.m. and the two girls there locked us through. The next lock was a Lakefield, and then we did 15 miles across Lake Katchawanooka. This is all beautiful cottage country.
Lock #27 at Young's Point is a popular little spot. Very picturesque. There's a lovely store there, where we've been before. We tied up for a bit and treated ourselves to an ice cream and a walk about, stopping at the general store for some milk.
Back on the boat we motored through Clear Lake and Stony Lake. The scenery changes here from the marshy low lands to a the rockier landscape of the Canadian Shield. And, fortunately, deep water with no weeds!!
From Burleigh Falls, Lock #28 into Lock #29 and Lovesick Lake, then Buckhorn Lake through Lock #31. We were doing so well with visions of getting to Fenelon Falls before dark, when we got hung up on weeds again at the top part of Buckhorn, Gannon Narrows. The lake was shallow there - about 7 - 8 ft deep in the channel and the weeds were thick. The rpm dropped until we were hardly doing 2 knots. We stopped the boat and I went down to clear the prop, shaft and rudder. However, we thought we could just do it quickly and continue on without anchoring, but the wind blew us out of the channel a little where the weeds were even worse. We got going again but immediately got bogged down again. This time we dropped the anchor right in the channel and after waiting for a motor cruiser to pass, I went down again and had another go. Freed up again, we chugged through another 1.75 miles to a patch of deep water where we had to repeat the performance and cut away more weeds. Our hopes of making Fenelon Falls were dashed. We didn't think we'd make it even through the lock at Bobcadgeon.
Just as we were approaching the lock in a narrow channel right in the town, a tour boat pulled out just as we were passing, without giving any kind of signal and obviously without checking for traffic! Fortunately John had the horn right beside him and gave the danger signal of five loud blasts. We came within 3 feet of him but didn't hit! He had been about to do a 360 degree turn, so waved us ahead to the lock. It was 7:05 p.m. We thought we'd missed locking through by 5 minutes so we tied up on the blue line. Then we heard the lockmaster call out to us that if we wanted to lock through, to give him a high wave. We waved and he called us up. He said he had to bring the water up anyway so might as well give us a ride! That was kind of him. We tied up on the blue line on the West side ready to make a good start the next day.
Once tied up we had a nice chat with Bernie, Sylvie and Ann who were having a few days fun on a little houseboat. Even though they owned cottages in the area, it was their first time at using the locks!! We went for a short walk around the pretty little town before turning in for the night.
We were waiting at Lock 25 at 9:00 a.m. and the two girls there locked us through. The next lock was a Lakefield, and then we did 15 miles across Lake Katchawanooka. This is all beautiful cottage country.
Lock #27 at Young's Point is a popular little spot. Very picturesque. There's a lovely store there, where we've been before. We tied up for a bit and treated ourselves to an ice cream and a walk about, stopping at the general store for some milk.
Back on the boat we motored through Clear Lake and Stony Lake. The scenery changes here from the marshy low lands to a the rockier landscape of the Canadian Shield. And, fortunately, deep water with no weeds!!
From Burleigh Falls, Lock #28 into Lock #29 and Lovesick Lake, then Buckhorn Lake through Lock #31. We were doing so well with visions of getting to Fenelon Falls before dark, when we got hung up on weeds again at the top part of Buckhorn, Gannon Narrows. The lake was shallow there - about 7 - 8 ft deep in the channel and the weeds were thick. The rpm dropped until we were hardly doing 2 knots. We stopped the boat and I went down to clear the prop, shaft and rudder. However, we thought we could just do it quickly and continue on without anchoring, but the wind blew us out of the channel a little where the weeds were even worse. We got going again but immediately got bogged down again. This time we dropped the anchor right in the channel and after waiting for a motor cruiser to pass, I went down again and had another go. Freed up again, we chugged through another 1.75 miles to a patch of deep water where we had to repeat the performance and cut away more weeds. Our hopes of making Fenelon Falls were dashed. We didn't think we'd make it even through the lock at Bobcadgeon.
Just as we were approaching the lock in a narrow channel right in the town, a tour boat pulled out just as we were passing, without giving any kind of signal and obviously without checking for traffic! Fortunately John had the horn right beside him and gave the danger signal of five loud blasts. We came within 3 feet of him but didn't hit! He had been about to do a 360 degree turn, so waved us ahead to the lock. It was 7:05 p.m. We thought we'd missed locking through by 5 minutes so we tied up on the blue line. Then we heard the lockmaster call out to us that if we wanted to lock through, to give him a high wave. We waved and he called us up. He said he had to bring the water up anyway so might as well give us a ride! That was kind of him. We tied up on the blue line on the West side ready to make a good start the next day.
Once tied up we had a nice chat with Bernie, Sylvie and Ann who were having a few days fun on a little houseboat. Even though they owned cottages in the area, it was their first time at using the locks!! We went for a short walk around the pretty little town before turning in for the night.
After Lock #24
Day 294, June 3rd, 2010
We left Lang's at 7:00 before anybody else was about. It was a difficult run across Rice Lake because of the weeds. We remembered it like that from before, so expected it. We did "the dipsy doodle reverse thing" repeatedly with some success but it was frustrating. Things improved a little once we got into the River and then enjoyed the three locks in Peterborough.
The lift lock, of course, being the most fun. What a weird sensation it is going up and up in the tank and finally looking back over that enormous drop!!
Coming out of the lift lock in the Trent River, the weeds were worse than ever. Even the backingi up didn't seem to help. You could see the weeds right up to the surface and in the channel. It seemed to take forever to get to Lock 22 when it started to pour with rain.
In Lock #23 they had a new set of doors on the West side. They were beautiful. We thought they were Western Cedar but when we asked, were told they were built from Douglas Fir!! I wished I had taken a picture.
We managed to get through Lock #24 before they stopped for the day and anchored between 24 and 25. Then donned the gear again and went diving! The shaft and prop were just gummed up with weeds. It was a lovely peaceful spot. Pretty good day in all. Managed 39 miles and five locks. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the waterway hours are extended to 7:00 p.m. so we hoped to do better for the next three days.
We left Lang's at 7:00 before anybody else was about. It was a difficult run across Rice Lake because of the weeds. We remembered it like that from before, so expected it. We did "the dipsy doodle reverse thing" repeatedly with some success but it was frustrating. Things improved a little once we got into the River and then enjoyed the three locks in Peterborough.
The lift lock, of course, being the most fun. What a weird sensation it is going up and up in the tank and finally looking back over that enormous drop!!
Coming out of the lift lock in the Trent River, the weeds were worse than ever. Even the backingi up didn't seem to help. You could see the weeds right up to the surface and in the channel. It seemed to take forever to get to Lock 22 when it started to pour with rain.
In Lock #23 they had a new set of doors on the West side. They were beautiful. We thought they were Western Cedar but when we asked, were told they were built from Douglas Fir!! I wished I had taken a picture.
We managed to get through Lock #24 before they stopped for the day and anchored between 24 and 25. Then donned the gear again and went diving! The shaft and prop were just gummed up with weeds. It was a lovely peaceful spot. Pretty good day in all. Managed 39 miles and five locks. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the waterway hours are extended to 7:00 p.m. so we hoped to do better for the next three days.
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