On to Hastings

Monday, June 23, 2014

It was a very nice morning at Old Mill Park in Campbellford. John gave the front deck a wash while I cleaned up inside. We walked to the grocery store to get a few things. We certainly are eating well on this trip.
Campbellford has a giant replica of a Canadian two dollar coin, popularly called the “toonie,” in two places in town. One side has a bear and the other side has Queen Elizabeth, very British.

Chris meditates in the morning sun, wondering about that looming toonie.

We were ready to push off at about 10 and motored on to the next lock, # 13, just a mile or so away. As we approached we saw another boat waiting at the lock and we pulled in behind them. They said that there would be about a 45 minute wait while the lockmaster had gone up to the farther lock to help someone come through from the west. This boat, “Inspirations” was from Ottawa and we had a nice visit while we waited.

We locked through together and went on to go through four more, including another chute with two locks connected, 16 & 17 at Healy Falls, for a total lift of 54’. We tied up at the top and waved as the other boat pushed on. We were disappointed to learn that there is no water currently going over the falls because of the use by the hydro-electric plant, but we had a good walk anyway.

This originally was the lockmaster's house, now privately owned -
I love the gable with the balcony and lime green door.

It is a quiet site and, once again, we are here by ourselves.

Captain’s Notes: June 23

Departed: Old Mill Park, Campbellford, Ont. 10:10 a.m.
Locked through 5 locks, 13 - 17
Engine hours: 1.4
Actual hours: 2 hours 35 min
Traveled: 4.7 nautical miles,
Arrived: Upper wall of lock 17, Healy Falls, 11:45 a.m.
A leisurely morning, sunny then becoming overcast

Tuesday, June 24

Rain and thunderstorms came through in the night. They weren’t bad, but John didn’t get much sleep. It was still raining this morning so we took our time getting ready, and by the time we pushed off, the rain had stopped and the skies were a little brighter.

This boathouse looked like it was laughing at us as we went by -
I call it the "Happy Boathouse"

Our route took us through some isolated areas, but also some thickly settled summer camp areas. The channel was narrow and wound through islands in the hub of Trent River cottage country.

This house went all out with flowers everywhere!

The winds had really picked up by the time we locked through our only lock of the day and tied up on the wall in the town of Hastings. Again, it is a no frills, no cost stop. We are a short walk from everything we need, including the library at the civic center and a grocery store.

Tied up in Hastings. Can you see Christopher on the front of the boat
above John's new magnificent Rocna 55 anchor?
Chris is saying, "I'm king of the world!"

I am impressed with how the towns and homes are decorated with flowers; even the bridge had wire baskets all along the rails.

Flowers and more flowers

Zooming in for the close-up

When we got back from our short foray into town we saw that Mary and Roger on Ta Ta had tied up in front of us. We were glad to see them and pointed them in the direction of shopping and an internet connection. It is nice to be back in civilization tonight.

The weather is looking stormy for this evening with more and stronger thunderstorms predicted. John's Richmond, VT weatherman, our friend Doug, has already been texting forecasted updates.

Captain’s Log: June 24

Departed: Healy Falls 9:50 a.m.
Engine hours: 2.4
Actual hours: 2 hours 25 min
Nautical miles covered: 12.59
Locked thru # 18 Hastings
Arrived: Hastings, south wall 12:15 a.m.
Wx: Overcast, winds less than 5 kts. Nice trip