August 22, Tuesday, Lakefield to Bobcaygeon, ON

Before we left our quiet lock dock in Lakefield I took an early walk to town. It was quite nice with typical stone and brick store fronts and lovely flowers on the light posts. I also enjoyed watching some ducks on rocks in the river.

There were warnings of rain and thunderstorms for the afternoon so we left early with the idea of getting through some locks before noon. We made it until around 11am when it started to pour just as we arrived at a lock. We tied up and read while we waited it out. At some point Dirk noticed the rain had stopped, and off we went again. Cottages and some Inns were along the shore as we cruised up rivers.

Some time after the Youngs Point lock we came to Stoney Lake which lived up to its name with many small granite islands strewn about along the way, some with cottages. The island cottages looked so inviting and the church on the granite island is famous in the area.

We needed to stop in Buckhorn to pick up our spare pair of propellers that required straightening as the result of a grounding incident long ago in New Jersey.   Crate Marina in Belleville sent them here for repair and we were appalled at the charge. We thought it would be less in Canada but it was more than double the what we paid in the US. As Dirk lifted them aboard the rain started in earnest again, so  we sat at the dock for a while and headed out once it stopped.

It was already after 3pm but we hoped we’d make to the town of Bobcaygeon before the lock closed and 5:30, and we did!

We had borrowed a Trent-Severn Guide Book more than a month ago from boating people on “Spunky Joe”, promising to return it to their home port of Bobcaygeon once we got there. They might have wondered what happened to us since we were about a month late due to all the weather and repair obstacles we’ve encountered. We were happy  to finally give the book to the lock master who mentioned they had stopped by asking for it. Nice people!

After tying up the boat Dirk noticed a familiar trawler around the corner – Barefoot Lady and John and Dodie! They had stayed an extra day in town due to the rainy weather! We joined them for a Kawartha ice cream run (great ice cream made in Bobcaygeon) and for breakfast the next morning. Hope we see them again on our journey.

August 21, Monday Peterborough to Lakefield ON on the TSW

We were awoken by Gord, the master engine mechanic, at 6:30am! We overslept due to noctural awakeness, but quickly got in gear while Gord replaced the starboard engine water pump. While we still had electricity I decided to pre-make most of dinner in the form of a vegetable stew, and then headed out for a few groceries and stopped at a music store nearby for a Ukulele lesson book to help me learn to pick out tunes and read tabs. I started working with it tonight and it’s a definite challenge. I also found the right size patio rug for the sundeck at a local small store – finally.  Here’s a shot of our boat at the wonderful Peterborough Marina and the new patio rug.

Today was the day our boat went up the Peterborough Lift Lock, from lake level to 65 feet in the air in less than 10 minutes. Amazing.

The weather was wonderful and we enjoyed our travels. Besides the cottages and flowers and decorations at the locks we were also focused on seeing the partial solar eclipse. We were in lock around 2pm and we used a pin hole in cardboard so we could see the shadow of the eclipse. The lock master saw what we were doing and loaned us proper viewing glasses and we were able to see the partial eclipse quite clearly.

We are again docked on a lock wall, and this one is quiet and lovely. There is a nice town within a short walk but we were too tired to visit it tonight but we did walk to the Indonesian (and more) store at the top of the small hill.

On the way up from the boat, up the narrow road to the main road, I saw a library box – a small wooden bookshelf with a glass-windowed door – and looked through the books. One caught my eye because it mention the Ottawa Parliament and library so I picked up and left another book later that day.  (Later update: The book, Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis, was funny and clever and now I’ll read everything he writes!)

August 19 and 20, Saturday and Sunday, Hastings to Peterborough, ON

The goal was to arrive in Peterborough as early as possible so we could visit with friends Dodie and John from our Rideau adventure. We left around 8:30 am and traveled the Trent River to Rice Lake, which was much calmer than the day before, and then up the Otonabee River to Peterborough, about 40 miles with one lock. It still took us until 2:30,  going our normal speed and slowing down for all the fishing boats, and “No Wake” signs and boats in narrow waterways.

The marina fortunately put us right next to Dodie and John and Barefoot Lady. We had spent time together at the Newboro and Chaffey locks on the Rideau and were glad to see them again. After settling in and getting the marina paperwork done we caught up a bit and headed to a Belgian Restaurant, St. Veronas, for dinner, walking along beautiful paths along the way.

We were happy to discover that it was Dodie and John’s anniversary, and John had given Dodie a tenor ukulele as a present! I gave her some extra copies of ukulele music I had with me, and sent some of the lesson powerpoints I used when I taught ukulele. Dodie has played guitar, so we were already playing songs together (in the key of C) after dinner at their boat. Fast learner!

This morning John and Dodie left early to continue north, as we well will do on Monday. We have one more repair on the starboard engine planned for Monday before we can move on.

We decided to walk over to the next two locks and scout out an overnight location to save money versus paying for another night at the marina. On the ways was a great water park that of course made me wish that our grandson Arden was with us.

After looking at the Lock 20 we finally saw Lock 21, the famous Peterborough Lift Lock. The Peterborough Lift Lock was the first lock to be built out of concrete, and at the time was the largest structure ever built in the world with unreinforced concrete. More importantly, the lock’s dual lifts have been until recently the highest hydraulic boat lifts in the world, raising and lowering boats 65 ft simultaneously. What’s amazing to me is that no external power is needed: the lift lock functions by gravity alone using the counterweight principle, and this huge structure was completed in 1902! We watched as boats moved into both the upper and lower chambers, and then reversed positions. Pretty amazing.

Later in the day we moved our boat to the fuel dock to fill up and get a pump out before heading to the lock for the night and while there we were offered the option of staying another night in the marina for only $25 (vs $75). Yes please! One more day of electricity and WiFi is delightful.

August 18, Friday Campbellford to Hastings ON on the TSW

We stopped on our way out of Campbellford to visit their semi-famous bakery, Doohers, which had been mentioned by a number of dock hands. We were told they run out of the most popular items by noon every day. We arrived at 9:30, there was line and they were already out of turnovers. However we did manage to find some special treats and then were on our way.

We had hoped to put in a long day and get to Peterborough where boater friends are staying, but the weather didn’t cooperate. Although it remained partly sunny all day, the wind grew to 15 -20 knots and we were advised by the lock master that the next leg, the 20 miles by 3 miles Rice Lake was going to be a challenge.  We had already struggled with the wind as we went through the lock and my shirt on the deck was blown into the water so we decided to spend the night in Hastings. We are docked across the river from a marina and a festival area where there will be music tonight – hope we like it! The town  center is tiny but there are a number of restaurants and at least 4 places that sell ice cream cones!

Some photos taken along the way today.

August 17, Thursday, Lock 1 to Campbellford ON

We are happy to be at the beginning of the next Canadian historic waterway – the Trent- Severn between Lake Ontario and the Georgian Bay.

We slept well our first night on the TSW. The dock below the lock was a beautiful place and there was only one potential challenge to sleep -can you see it?

Fortunately we have gotten used to nearby trains and it didn’t bother us. The scenery along the way included cottages, RV parks and farms on the river, as well as a shallow area where water grass was in touching distance.

We made our way to the lock just before Campbellford, as it was said to be only a 15 minute walk to that town. There is also a Suspension Bridge at the lock that deserved a visit.

After settling in we decided to walk to town via the bridge as there was a trail, part of the Trans Canadian Trail,  mentioned in a few places that would go right to the heart of Campbellford. I wish I had taken the picture of the map below before we started.

Dirk didn’t look at the map and I did and insisted I knew the way to town that was supposed to be a 15 minute walk. About 45 minutes later (at least) we found the town. Boy did I eat crow and then bought Dirk a nice fancy dinner (the place had tablecloths!).

August 15, 16; Belleville and Prince Edward County, Trenton north

While waiting for the boat to be fixed and working on some boats projects, I also had time to explore a bit. One morning I took a sunrise walk around one of the many Belleville Parks and bike paths.

I visited the Glenmore House, Canadian National Historic Monument. It was built in 1883, and is an example of the Second Empire style architecture similar to the Parliament in Ottawa, but in a private home. The furnishings were all of the era, and the walls and carpets are restored to their original Elizabethan look. It was a treat to be in a home that elegant.

We again played Cribbage with Judy in the evenings. She is beating me and almost beat Dirk!

On Wednesday, more work was needed on the transmission and I took advantage of the extra time and traveled south to Prince Edward County to the famous Sand Banks Park. I’ve never seen anything like these hills and valleys of sand dunes that extend in every direction. I walked away from the starting point for over 45 minutes and still hadn’t seen a fraction of all the dunes that surround this park. Stunning!

After walking in the interior of the dunes I headed for the shore of the bay, and saw families enjoying the water on the way back. I walked in it too and it felt great.

I also saw milk weed and then looked around for Monarch Butterflies. I even got a photo of one while it fluttered around the plant.

Before leaving Belleville on Wednesdy afternoon we visited Uncle Dick, Aunt Willy and Cousin Dirk de Boer and his wife Janice and said our farewells for now. Aunt Willy sent us along with some of her famous cookies.

By 5pm we arrived in Trenton, Ontario and the beginning of the Trent Severn Waterway – our next 230+ mile, 45 lock adventure. We continued on to the first lock, which was closed so we tied up there for the night.

We had a surprise visitor last night! Judy drove to the lock after playing tennis, bringing us the steps we sadly left behind in Kingston. Thank-you Judy!

August 14, 15, 16 Belleville, ON

I didn’t finish the update on the transmission in the previous post. We lucked out when Gord (master mechanic) dug into the transmission in preparation for removing it – it turned out that the issue was a worn out “dampener plate” – a round plate of metal with springs in it – that had failed. The transmission did not have to be removed and rebuilt – yeah!

Gord found a source and ordered the part Monday and it came on Tuesday. As Gord and his helper began to install it there was an issue – the new part was a bit too big. Actually the previous one was as well, and was just jammed in – but they weren’t going to repeat that mistake. Gord knew of a local machine shop that took off just the right amount the same day, and by the end of Tuesday it fit. Amazing! Dirk took a photo of the engine and the round plate that needed to be replaced.

We’ve also had a manageable issue with coolant in one of the engines – almost every day Dirk has been adding coolant due to a slow leak somewhere. Gord looked at it today and ordered a engine water pump that will fix this as well. Hopefully he’ll install it Monday wherever we are on the Trent Severn, since he lives closer to that area than Belleville. Things are looking up!

August 14, Monday, Crate’s Marina, Belleville

The day has come for the serious boat transmission work. We were warned about an early start, and true to his reputation, Gord was at the boat at 6:30 am to climb into the engine and get at the transmission. The plan was to remove and rebuild the transmission so after removing the oil it was time for the haul out. We also needed to replace a non-operational seacock valve (a valve in an opening through a ship’s hull below or near the waterline that connects a ship’s engine-cooling system to the sea)).

More on the repairs later, but we are encouraged that the work is taking place. We are in good hands.

I took some photos of this nice marina as well. Services and facilities are great – I’m working inside a nice air condition section of the office since the boat isn’t really accessible now.

To be continued…

August 13,   Sunday, Belleville

Boat work took priority yesterday morning. Uncle Dick de Boer brought his tools and knowledge to our bent gunwale so that he and Dirk could unbend it and pound and screw it back in place. The damage caused by a very rough T-dock in Florida was visible, embarrassing and potentially could have let water in the gaps. It took a few hours, but it looks so much better now. Meantime I did laundry and waterproofed the sundeck roof with some spray bottles we purchased from Canadian Tire. I had to balance on the railings, but it was a calm day and it went on pretty easily.

Cousin Judy came over in the afternoon with Aunt Willy and we headed to the quaint town of Bloomfield, ON in Prince Edward County aka “County or PEC”. I hadn’t realized that PEC is a special area of Ontario, a summer destination as it is surrounded by water and has famous sand-dune beaches I’m hoping to visit. We shopped at a number of stores with unique gifts and clothes, and our reward was the handmade ice cream and sorbet at the end of the stores. Judy’s flavor was S’mores and it tasted like burnt marshmallows. I loved my grapefruit sorbet.

Later Judy, Dirk and I ate Thai at a local restaurant and then, back at the boat, re-taught Judy the fine art of Cribbage! Another victim! I almost beat Dirk – only 5 points away, and Judy wasn’t far behind.

August 11 & 12, Friday and Saturday, Belleville, ON

As we pulled into the entrance canal to Belleville yesterday, we saw Dirk’s Aunt Willy and Uncle Dick on the docks waving at us – a lovely greeting. Dirk also took a great photo of Wandering Star which he emailed to us later. While we moved along to our marina they drove around town to greet us once more after we docked. We were glad they were’t there to watch because it was tricky with wind blowing and only one engine – a dock hand had to use a marina dinghy like a tugboat to push us in the right direction at one point! They came aboard and saw the boat and then treated us a nice Chinese Buffet dinner. Dirk’s cousin Judy joined us and drove us back to the boat while showing us some of the town as well.

Today I walked to a very nice farmers market next to the town hall and bought some unusual  ingredients for a salad such as green pea sprouts and apricots. I just missed Dirk’s cousin Dick stopping by but he plans on visiting another day. Judy drove us to Canadian Tire where we got some boat essentials and then we enjoyed a special dinner made by Aunt Willy. Uncle Dick took a photo of us enjoying the meal.