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.
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