I arrived at Lock 1 late yesterday, and today got cleaned up and organized while waiting for the waterway to open tomorrow. There are no other boats here.
Tomorrow I’ll go up a couple of locks, then hop on the scooter and leave Escapade for a few days.
The dinghy is fabulous with the new motor. Top speed is over 45 km/hr, and it’s smooth, quiet and fuel efficient. I went up the Salmon River in it, and have zipped into Trenton a couple of times from here to eat out.
Weather has been sunny and cool. Got 4.3 kwh from solar today, a new best I think.
After spending two nights in Colbourne I left early Tuesday morning and headed over to Prince Edward County. The Murray Canal isn’t open yet for the season, so it’s out and around.
I’ve explored this area in the past, but hadn’t been into Weller’s Bay Lake before, so poked in. I ended up close to Consecron, so anchored here and tried out the new kayak to go ashore for a late lunch. I have to work on entry and exit…
I would have stayed the night around there, but there was a bit of wind forecast for Wednesday so I headed back out and came around the peninsula, arriving in Collins Bay at about 0300 and anchoring here.
Today I went ashore and had a nice dinner at Bella’s. Last time I was here was three years ago, when many of the local restaurants were closed.
I’m anchored in Colbourne Harbour. Left Toronto this morning and noodled along the shore. Calm and rainy late in the day. I stopped just after dark.
It feels really good to be back underway. I’m also happy to be out of Toronto. I may stay here for a couple of days.
The next week or so looks like perfect weather. Samantha and Sarah are planning a visit Sat-Mon and the Thousand Islands are always a hit.
I think I’ve solved the hop-on, hop off challenge with the scooter. Maybe we’ll try it. They could hop on in Kingston, we’d stop in Gananoque, and I’d take the scooter back to retrieve their car, then get dropped off at the scooter. Need a good dock, but there’s one there.
The only pics I’ve taken since my last post are these:
Fuel mileage – hauling furniture on the 401 followed by Guelph – Toronto
I took them intending to send them to my friend David. We’d been chatting about fuel economy and my faith in old cars. His kids are into diesel VWs. I bought a 2005 Prius with 355,000 km from a stranger and left for Florida in it a few days later.
The car is serving me well. I confounded Sarah by easily packing my winter frame into it and having space to carry a few radiators as well. It’s living underground in Toronto when I’m not using it, easily accessible by GO.
Tonight I’m anchored here in the Toronto Islands. My plan is to head for the Thousand Islands next week, then back through the Bay of Quinte and into the Trent Severn Canal, which opens May 19.
That’s my Silverwing 600 perched on the deck. Easy to load and unload from the dock.
You’ll also notice a new kayak on top. I’ve also replaced my outboard with a shiny new Tohatsu 20 HP. Yee haw!
I’m going to be practicing multimodal transport this summer. My plan is to stay between here and Sault Ste Marie with Escapade, but be able to spend more time in Toronto and Guelph.
I picked up a new car over the winter. Sold our old Rondo and bought a 2005 Prius. Great car. It’s parked at Susan’s and is easy to pick up any time.
I’ve also finally figured out how to capture waste engine heat for cabin heat and hot water. RTFM. Works great.
Beyond that the boat is in good order. I still have a few fairly urgent items on my to-do list, but plan to have lots of down time to get them addressed.
I just returned from a two week visit to England. My first time there. My sensible and spry 80 year old mother in law wanted to visit childhood friends and relatives, and I was happy to accompany her and spend time skulking around canals.
Maybe I’ll annotate in more detail later, but here’s a breakdown.
Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria
Portsmouth, Bristol, and the Kennet and Avon Canal.
Football! High expectations and a painful loss for Burnley. Many pints drunk before and after.
I’m in Jensen Beach FL competing in the ICLA Master Midwinters. The US Sailing Center here does a great job of hosting and running the event, and I’ve done the event several times, but not in the last few years.
Yesterday was a great day of racing. I flubbed a couple of races, but got things figured out as the day went on. Currently sitting at 31st place in a fleet of 47.
Today racing has been delayed due to lack of wind. We may get out this afternoon. Wednesday and Thursday look great.
I have a newer boat that I bought two years ago and this is my second time racing. It felt good. I’ve lost weight, and didn’t suffer from boat speed issues yesterday.
I like this fleet. Lots of familiar faces, and deep talent. There is an age-based handicap system that allows the older folks to remain competitive.
My old friend David is racing as well, and he and his wife Laura have set up their trailer in Indiantown about 45 minute drive away. I’m staying with them.
It’s always useful and informative to compare actuals against plan.
I’ve just reread my plan for 2022. I think I can say results were consistent with the plan. The only real wrinkle was engine problems spanning the summer. But I was able to work around them and eventually resolve.
2023 is shaping up nicely, with several attractive options. No firm plan yet. I’ll report back when I have one.
Boating Adventures 