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! 

Sunny day, Thanks Dan!

We finally had a sunny day, well at least half of it. It was a little overcast in the am, threatened to rain most of the day, but it held off. It was so sunny in fact that Jim has a return of his lobster face.

We had a lovely visit with Dan and JP, buddies of Jim's from work. The conversation revolved around shop talk of course, but we had a lovely afternoon. Dan supplied these massive butcher shop steaks which were probably 4 portions of meat in each one. Yet we managed to finish one off each. They were delicious. Thanks for Dinner guys! It was lovely. And Thanks Dan for the sunny day. I know you ordered it and I am glad you have that kind of clout. By the way, are y'all noticing the shinny BBQ in the background?

Jeff unfortunately had to scrape zebra mussels  off some pipes on a dock, while we were enjoying drinks on the top deck. He gave us a cheers, anyways when we called out to him. I'm pretty sure though, that the hand salute is a read between the lines salute! After his tough work day, we did manage to get him a beer.

After dinner, I went for a walk to check out the sights. The gardens at the waterfront are beautiful.

 I am looking forward to getting some use out of those bike paths as well. 

There was a flurry of women in the gardens at the marina last night too. The horticultural society came to help get the gardens up to snuff in here. Give 12 women a couple of hours and a complete transformation will occur!  

Susan and I took the boys to the Husband's day care in town, to watch the Stanley cup playoffs.

A few beers and lots of laughs and by 11:00 pm we were out of there.  Perfect ending to a perfect day!

Today, if the rain holds out, we will likely go for a Golf game. If not, I'm sure we'll find something to do.  But for now, I must bid you adieu. Susan was nice enough to lend me a carpet cleaner, Guess I better get to work! 

Rain, rain go away, come again another day.

I did not blog last night because we spent our evening playing cards again with Jeff and Susan. It was a late night!  We played 65, where the object of the game is to score the lowest. With 4 players, through 10 hands, I was doing pretty good all the way to the last hand, where I then proceeded to lose. 

The boys forced me to pose for this picture. 

You can tell by the look on my face,, that I did not do this willingly.

Susan, who I thought would back me up, somehow went right along with them. Hum! She is not who I thought she was, but I still like her!

I got a few shots of the beautiful Penetanguishene from across the bay. But I must admit it was rather difficult to get these night shots without a tripod for the camera.   

It rained a bit in the morning, but the afternoon turned out really nice. Susan gave us a little tour of Penetang, than we went to check out the in water boat show they were having at Hindson's Marina. Susan lent me her car to do a little shopping while Jim gave the boat a little wash. I got lost in Midland, but fortunately I managed to find my way back. There was a butter tart Festival going on in down town Midland, but I deliberately avoided it because those things can be very addictive. 

Jim and I gave tours of our boat to a few folks and then had dinner with Jeff and Sue on the boat. 

Today we spent yet another rainy day in Penetang. 

We left 'Harbor West Marina' at around 9:30am and made our way to the 'Historic Port of Penetanguishene Marina'. It took a whole 10min. Shortly after we arrived it started to pour and it did not let up much throughout the day. We had intended on doing some sightseeing but with this rain we opted for some chores and watching a movie in the afternoon. I know, it felt almost sinful! 

I chose to tackle the BBQ.I have attacked this BBQ with SOS pads and various other products and I could not get the rust off. I figured that  the salt water we had been in, really took it's toll and I was at the point of just wanting to get rid of it because it was so ugly. Last night however, I remembered this product I bought at a boat show maybe 2 or 3 years ago. It's called Prism polish. I decided to give it a try as a last resort and OMG, I am shocked at the results!

Check out the before and after shots. I am so impressed I think I'll write to the company!

Although it was not a busy day, the salvaging of our BBQ did make me feel like it was not a totally wasted day.

Before

After 

 Hopefully we get some sunshine tomorrow and we can go check out a few of the sights.

I am now starting a new count down for Mom and Dad's visit. So 5 more sleeps guys. I can't wait!

Good night all.