Feeling hot, hot, hot

Bobcaygeon

 

We were in Bobcaygeon on a Thursday night and every Thursday night they have music in the park. This night Kim Stockwood performed. (have you heard her song You Jerk? Google it, http://youtu.be/2sVWOrhxpZk it is cute.)We just sat on our boat and enjoyed all the people around us and listened to the music.

Kim Stockwood

 

SIDENOTE: The song “You Jerk” always reminds me of our friend Kevin (Buck) Gregory….and NO he is NOT a jerk, he is a VERY VERY nice guy and he actually introduced Gary and I, and he was our best man at our wedding…. I think the first time I heard the song was in his car so….shout-out to Buck,  we miss you buddy!!!

Anyhow, where was I? Oh yes, Bobcaygeon. Nice little town (PS also Google the song Bobcaygeon by The Tragically Hip, a great Canadian band and great song  -trust me!! http://youtu.be/o6QDjDPRF5c) (IMHO a way better song the You Jerk, but that is just me)

The Tragically Hip

We set off early the next morning and made our way to Fenelon Falls. Last year we didn’t stop here and I was sorry we missed it, so this year we did stop. Called the Jewel of the Trent-Severn Waterway and the Kawartha Lakes.

Sailing Summer school

Fenelon Falls



Top of lock 35 - Fenelon Falls is a very popular stopping place for
boaters but there is also a non stop flow of tourists as this is prime cottage country.

My theory is that the Canadians only have 2 months of summer so they  make the most of it!!

We spent the evening visiting with MV Its 5-0 Clock Somewhere , Al makes the best dirty martinis!! We look forward to seeing them further north as they continue on while we wait for the crew from SV Last Waltz to come for a visit.

Charlie and Al

Sunset Fenelon Falls
AKA cocktail hour

Santa, in the summer he collects cans and bottles that people
leave in the garbage. He donates the money from these recyclables
to various charities
For 6 months of the year he puts his Santa job on hold to do this charitable work.
He gave us gifts for our grand children and a picture of him and Mrs. Clause.
For those of you non- believers, if this isn't proof enough I don't know what will be.

After an amazing visit with our very good friends Bob and Monique from SV Last Waltz we continued on to Lake Simcoe.

Great times with great people

 

 

 

It was VERY hot and some of the lock masters made an extra effort to work as slow as possible, keeping us waiting in the hot sun. 

So hot Josie decided to have a drink

Jacob passed out on the laptop

 

So far all the staff on the waterway have been friendly even though they are upset about the changes in their work place. I didn’t see any work-to-rule as I did on the last few locks from Kirkfield to Lake Simcoe.

At the top of Kirkfield lift lock

 

By hey, it could be worse….we could be stuck on the Erie as many other boaters are.

 

Hole in the wall

Good parking job

 

It was a hot and sticky night at the bottom of lock 41  at the entrance to Lake Simcoe so we were happy to be in the cool breeze as we crossed the sometimes treacherous lake ...it was flat calm for us.

 

Lake Couchiching is always a wonder , the water is so clear you can see right to the bottom. I kept looking out at the water so much I ended up with a stiff neck.

Atherley Narrows

Under the water are the Mnjikaning Fish Weirs, some as old as 5,000 years (same as the Great Pyramid at Gaza in Egypt.) These weirs or “fish fence” built by Aboriginals, are stakes ,driven into the ground  at the narrows to guide fish into areas where they could be netted.

After the highest lock on the TSWW (Swift Rapids) we got to the Big Shute and the land crossing.

View from the bridge

Big Shute crossing/lift

 

 

The last time Time & Tide was out of the water was at this exact same spot last year. It is always a little nerve-wracking to do that  60' lift but all went well and thanks to a lovely young man named Adam from Stratford we now have a video of ourselves going across the land from one body of water to the next.

Here is a link to the video http://youtu.be/DfQn5VrkXkk

 

Docked at the bottom of Big Shute

 

 

There are now Two washing machine islands :)

Docked at Port Severn, the last of the lock before we head out into Georgian Bay
and possible the last time I will have internet for a while


 

.................................................to be continued