Connecting The Dots…
Our departure from the dock at Confederation Basin is under the direction of the delivery captain from the Cassandra Jade. His idea to turn us around in the slip so the bow is out is handled by himself, his two crew and four dock hands…..we weren’t just imagining the possible problems leaving in the strong south west wind. We slip away with waves of thanks and “good luck!” to the proud new owners.
The scene from the water is very different from what I recall driving through this area for many years: Royal Military College, Fort Henry, the Martello Towers - all behind the Wolfe Islander as she steams past our port side.
The bay on the south east side of Leek Island holds a half dozen mooring balls, with two in use by a houseboat and a small cruiser. Happy St. Baptiste Day to our fellow boaters enjoying their holiday!
We opt to anchor in a landscape very much like those we remember in Georgian Bay. We manage very chilly swims and indulge in meatloaf and vegetables with fresh strawberries and lemon squares for dessert. The new “Lisbon by Night” recommended by the LCBO clerk, is a hit.
The full moon brings some wind and Harald is up during the night checking the anchor.
With a two night stop we take time to work on some boat chores: Harald fixes some leaks, cleans out the port locker and I organize laundry and attempt our reservation for Crysler Park Marina. I am successful at reserving our lock transit at Iroquois for Monday morning but still no response from the marina. This is an important stop for us as we plan on spending 4 days with kids and grandkids.
Picnic packed, we head to shore to walk the short trail to the sandy beach, as recommended in the GLCC harbour report. We find the houseboat has moved to this bay and the family of nine from a day cruiser have also arrived for picnic and swims.
The gentleman from the houseboat walks the beach to say “hi” and we chat, learning of his career with The Ford Motor Company which took him to Newfoundland several times each year. He has been cruising in this area for over 50 years and is happy to answer our questions.
Leaving the beach, the couple from the day cruiser ask if we are from the sailboat and where we are headed: a very friendly couple who invite us to contact them if we need anything at all after we pass through the Beauharnois Canal. Their home is there in Beaconsfield. They are very interested in our journey and welcome the chance to follow this site.
Returning to the boat, we find the ruins mentioned in the harbour report, just as sailing friend Don calls. A short video chat with a face we recognize - feels good.
The ruins are those of the stone summer house of Ira and Katherine Kip who donated the house to the Canadian Government in 1917. It was then used as a hospital for WW1 veterans returning to Canada, suffering from, what we now know as, PTSD.
Sitting in the cockpit later that day, I hear the telltale buzzing of a hornet in the seam where the centre piece of canvas meets the dodger, We have had this happen before and know exactly what is going on: how does a hornet hone in on a piece of canvas on a single sailboat and know it’s a good place to build a mud nest? Extrication is swift!
Nachos for supper as we’re observed by two white-tailed deer on shore. Looks like we’re in for another warm night but expect rain and wind tomorrow as we make our way to Brockville.
WInds do come but they are spotty as we “connect the dots” motoring through the many various and narrow channels in the 1000 Island area. The rain stops so we can clearly see the many beautiful homes and properties along the waterway.
After passing under the Ivy Lea bridge, we realize we have missed a turn which will take us through a narrower passage but one we favoured as more sheltered and in Canadian water. We navigate on two devices to take us through some very shallow passages.
By 1:15 we are anchored off of Smith Island, just west of Brockville, at the Brockville Sailing Club. A few members are enjoying time together with a campfire, dinner and lots of laughter. Covid seems far away. As soon as we have the hook secured the ships start rolling by - just 600 feet away. The count now becomes serious and I start a spreadsheet of names, sizes and flags.
The following morning brings another early departure and another morning of “connecting the dots” through more channels. A little fun comes at Maitland where we connect with my sister’s sister-in-law who we find waving from her dock. We take photos of her lovely home and she grabs a few of us passing by.
The Griffon is at the dock of the very large Prescott Coast Guard Station.
Our first sense of a current finds us doing 9.5 knots as we pass under the Prescott-Ogdensburg Bridge and 30 knot winds are blowing as we turn into the anchorage at Presqu’ile Island. (We see this as practice for more to come.). We wait for The Algoma Harvester to pass so we can exit the channel.
We sit for the rest of the day, spinning in the wind, with a view of the Iroquois Lock entrance just 1/2 nautical mile away. This of course brings many more ship sightings.
A sailboat similar in size to ours exits the lock and approaches the anchorage. Anchoring attempts are futile in the strong wind, mud and weeds with their bruce anchor. We are grateful for our new spade anchor which set with the wind, no back throttle required.
A bald eagle and another heron visit and Harald has suggested we stop counting the ospreys - there are just more than we need to report on.
My many attempts at connecting with Crysler Park Marina finally bring success but we are told the channel is very shallow and we doubt we will be able to access the gas dock for services. We think we can manage, but Harald fills the diesel from one of the jerrycans which we can replace in Cornwall. We now have a confirmed slip and begin to feel the excitement of seeing family very soon. Upper Canada Village has just reopened but the miniature train will probably not run until the fall.
New Covid regulations will allow us all to be together outdoors.
