Did someone forget to tell Mother Nature it was Summer? 44◦15'.944N 077◦35'.880W

It was a cold and stormy day...well it didn't start out that way. Up at 5:50am (yeah you would think we were back to work already) and on the road again by 6:20am, Jim and I had a 30+ mile run to do to get to our first lock this morning and we thought we would get a head start. It was warm, sunny, the birds were chirping and all was right with the world. That is until we got to the first lock. It started to rain moments before we got there and did not let up until we tied up for the night. It seemed as though every time we got to a lock it rained just a little harder, sometimes much harder. I think mother nature is trying to tell us not to go back to work! Lol.

Still we made it through tight railway bridges and high currents near the dams.

The water level is obviously rising, when they closed the gate at Healey Falls lock, the water was pouring over the gates in a waterfall that made us wonder how on earth can they get water out of here when it's pouring in so fast.

                           Heck even the Heron was surprised as he looked on.

Regardless of the rain, we did make it down that lock and a few others. I luck out in my Job since I get the covered stern, but Jim just got saturated.  We now find ourselves at the Glen Ross lock, hoping to sleep in tomorrow am because the locks don't start until 9am.

By this time tomorrow we will be snug as a bug in Trenton preparing ourselves for the light show celebration. Hopefully Mother Nature will co-operate. They are calling for rain in the am but it should clear by nightfall.

Happy Canada day everyone

Meeting up with old friends in Peterborough 44◦17'.287N 078◦18'.530

We've had a really nice day both weather wise and with meeting up with old friends. Started our day out with sunshine and warmth vs the rain we've been having recently, what a treat. When we arrived in Lovesick lock, we got to see some beautiful flowers growing right out of the tree. 

We saw kids playing on the beach 

and as we continued our pace we got to experience the Peterborough lift lock yet again. I actually took these shots, which is kind of a miracle considering my fear of heights. I took the one of people below just to give you  real idea of how high we were. 

The lock is 65 foot and we sit 8ft above water at the bow, so I was actually standing 78feet above these folks and still managed to look down. 

At the next lock, we were slowed down as other boats where locking through. We realized after a few minutes that it was Steve and Shelly on Pura Vida. Unfortunately we were heading in opposite directions, but we did get to chat for a few minutes.

 I saw Shelly jumping off her boat and running across the lock towards ours while they were still in the lock. It surprised me quite a bit. She handed me two coasters that Steve made for us, hoping we would meet up again somewhere in Canada. How awesome is that? We love them, thanks guys.

Continuing on our merry way, we found out that Dave and Michele were in Peterborough tonight, so although we planned on making our way as far as possible, we stopped at Scott Mills lock and biked over to their Marina for a visit. We ended up having dinner with them as well as tree other couples who are also loopers. A wonderful night all around. Biking home was fortunately uneventful as well. Thank god, because we have no lights on our bikes!

Tomorrow we keep heading towards Trenton. Our hope is to make it to the Trenton Marina for July 1^st so we can participate in Canada day celebrations, but for now, I must bid you adieu. 

On the Road Again - Buckhorn Lock 44◦33'.359N 078◦20'.751

We are back on the road again, after a weekend retreat in Ottawa. We got the starter of course, and then made our way to Fenlon Falls. The weather has not been great but this is not keeping the boaters from getting out in droves. When we got to Fenlon Falls the lock was packed both above and below the lock. I don't think I have ever seen this many boats at a lock. Perhaps the fact that they have power and water makes them a more popular choice.

We did have a nice stay here and then made our way to Bobcaygeon lock on Friday afternoon. Unfortunately we had to drop mom and dad off at this point, because we had a date in Ottawa for a Canada Day celebration at my baby brother's house, but not before a nice lunch with Jim's Sister Diana who came to pick them up and our baby Stephanie who came to pick us up. We have had a wonderful week with my in-laws despite our delays and rainy days.

Once we got to Al and Natalie's house, my nephew Matéo made us feel very welcomed as he played the host with the most. I assume his mom Natalie is to thank for that!  We ate and ate (thanks Nat and Al),











We played like kids

But Mom did manage to get us all quiet for a few minutes so we could get the 9 of us in a semi decent picture.

From left to right-
Top Marie-Anne, Liane, Gilbert, Me, Cécile
Bottom Row: Al, Léo, Mom, Gerald and Bob.
I wonder if my mom looks at all of us and thinks, what the heck did I do to deserve this bunch of ...

Stephanie and Photographic underwater goggles

We had a wonderful time on Saturday but today it rained like a sun of a gun. Thank God Steph was the driver, because our little shenanigans left us a little tired and worn out.

Imagine trying to get 9 of us to dive and hold our breath long enough for an underwater shot? 

Once we did get back to the boat, somewhere around 2pm we set out up the Trent Severn again. We still hope to be home by the 4th of July but our little starter issue sure did slow us down a bit.
Thanks to our Host Al and Nat for Saturday and Marie-Anne and Danny for brunch today. Love you all and we had a lot of fun, However, I think sleeping in would definitely be in order for tomorrow.
Good night all.

Reading writing and rithmatic in Orillia

We are still in Orillia, enjoying the sunshine after the storm. We were all set to leave on the 22^nd, however once again the best laid plans do not always turn out. The Spare Solenoid Jim put on the started decided to malfunction and we had to get another one. An order placed with American Diesel for a spare to be delivered to Hamilton on the assumption that we would not need this part until we made it home. This was obviously a wrong assumption. So he rented a car, drove to Hamilton, picked up the part and drove back, only to find that the solenoid took the started with it when it malfunctioned. So a quick call to Scott's Automotive and Marine Starter Re-builders had us discovering that the Starter was fried beyond repair and now we need to wait for a new starter to be delivered. We should get the new one by tomorrow am and hopefully be on our way by tomorrow afternoon. Just another reason why all plans need to be in pencil.

We have been getting some entertainment during our wait however. Yesterday, while the boys drove to Hamilton, mom and I got to watch a boat being called into police service to go save a couple of boys who capsized their boat while out in the windy water of lake Simcoe. 

Turns out another boat got there first, but the boys are safe and sound.

We have also been spending lots of time reading books (mom, dad and Jim), playing Sudoku (mom) and writing in my diary (me). So although we are not traveling too far, we are certainly all getting smarter!

I also took advantage of all the bike paths today and went for a lovely ride through all the lovely parks along the waterfront. Tomorrow, hopefully and God willing, we will have a new starter, a new Solenoid and be on our way. 

Waiting out a storm in Orillia 44◦36'.792N 079◦24'.742W

We spent a lovely evening tied up at the Big Chute railway and awoke to a calm, glass like waters.

We watched a hole bunch of boats go through the lock. I must admit that it is a lot more fun watching it than it is riding it. 

We inched our way towards Swift Rapids lock and then through the Couchiching lock.

Mom and Dad M played tourist as we weaved our way through beautiful cottage country and really tight corners of the waterway. 

We got stopped waiting for a train, but still made good time getting to Orillia.

Our intention tonight was to anchor out on lake Couchiching, but once again Mother nature decided on something different as the weather man called for increasing winds and rain. A small craft advisory warning was issued and we headed for Port of Orillia Marina for a secure night tied up at a dock. We went out for dinner and a little walk through town. 

Once we were all settled in we saw another boat come in and I just had to send this pic along to the Blog. Stuart, I am almost certain this boat should be yours, although you already have one just like it!

Not too sure what we're doing tomorrow. The weather man tells us there will be high winds and more rain. We will assess the situation in the am. If it's calm enough we will make our way towards Fenlon Falls, If it's nasty out we may spend another day here to wait it out.

As always, we shall keep you posted. Good night all. 

They're here. Time for some sightseeing!

Mom and Dad are finally here. We picked them up in Hamilton on Friday the 19^th and were back in Penetang by 4pm.  We played some cards, the boys against the girls and unfortunately the boys won. The girls would get them back on Saturday night! 

Saturday we set out to go visit the Keewatin this is a ship, built in the early 1900's, designed to travel from Penetanguishene to Thunder bay. The tour was very informative. 

They set up the rooms in different era's to portray each of the 5 decades that the boat was in service. 

The centre sitting area was quite impressive with all the greenery and all the painted windows.  

These windows are the original windows painted in Murano Italy back in 1904.

Mom M and I rested a bit in the Ladies' parlor, designed to enjoy high tea, 

while the boys rested in the Men's lounge to enjoy a little crib game.  

After the tour of all these rooms we ended up in the engine room. The engine is 3 stories tall, with pistons that are 8 feet in diameter. These things are impressive, especially if you consider the fact that they had no computer designers back then and the machining of these impressive pieces with tolerances of fractions of inches must have been a real engineering challenge.

We ended our day in the company of Jeff and Susan, and one more last meal together.  We had a wonderful week with them both and once again, we will miss their great smiles and friendly banter over a card game.

Today, father's day was the beginning of our trip toward Peterborough. It was pouring rain in the am, so we did not actually take off until around 10am. We made our way through the first lock in Severn and then the marvel of the Big Chute where we will now spend the rest of our afternoon. 

Tomorrow we will be working our way toward Orillia for a little visit into that town.  Hopefully we get some nice weather for that. I will leave you with a picture of this very astute sign noted at the washrooms at the Keewatin. 

Truer words have never been spoken. 

Another beautiful day in Penetanguishene

We've been busy little beavers here and having a great time at it.  We had a bit of company over two nights ago, with Paul, Ryan, Susan and Jeff joining us for a pizza dinner after a day's chores and visiting.  

Yesterday the boys went golfing without us. Apparently I slow them down or something! Susan and I went shopping in the morning and then went for a bike ride on the beautiful trails in the afternoon.

Susan has left her bike in Cape Fear when they left to fly home, so she had to borrow one from her daughter. I think she looks like a biker mamma  on this laid back number.

Jim is tired of getting his picture taken

After our bike run, she went to pick up her granddaughter and I kept going for a little while. We met up again for dinner on the 'Weweena', which is the name of their new boat. (I know, there is just too many jokes!)

Joey sniffing out the pork chops 

 Paul and his buddy Joey came to join us for an evening of cards and laughs yet again. 

Unfortunately Paul ended up losing that fight and I liked him too much to force him into doing that silly loosed sign on his forehead. Maybe if I get to know him better I might change my mind next time. Lol

Anyway, today we are off to pick up Mom and Dad Mitchell, finally. We will be setting off into the sunset on the Trent on Father's day. Looking forward to our visit.

I better get some bed linens changed and get going in the car. We'll be picking them up at noon.  Who hoo!

Have a great day y'all. 

Boat Rescue day In Penetang.

It was another beautiful day yesterday. The sun was shining the birds where singing and the boats were sinking. 

Well not all the boats but the one little aluminium 16 footer was. Apparently he has been taking on water for quite some time, but he was satisfied that the bilge was keeping on top of it so he never got the problem looked at. I guess yesterday the bilge decided not to keep looking after it.

 It was sunk on one side, engine almost completely under water and something needed to be done about it. 

So Jeanette to the Rescue. This Young lady operates the Canadian Effort with her husband who is currently out of town.  Since she was alone, the boys quickly went to her aid and got the boat from under water to gunnels showing, to owner getting into it.  

It was the excitement of the day, while a dozen other guys looked on.

Once the boat was saved and the show was over, I got to the shores of the day until Susan came by the help us check out all the sights in Penetang. We spent the afternoon going from one sight to the other making sure they were open and available for us when Mom and Dad came.  Only 2 more sleeps now!

After our gallivanting around  we took out the clubs and went for a short nine holes of Golf. Jeff and Jim were very serious about it all. 

Susan and I really played an  equivalent of an 18 hole given that our drives are so short. It got a little frustrating, to the point where Susan turned into the Karate Kid. 

We retired on the top deck for a late dinner and then a quick game of cards.

I'll give you one hint as to who lost that one!

Today is turning out to be a lovely day so far, so we'll likely go try our hand at another Golf game. I won't keep score!