July 2, 2017 Locks 31- 36 Kawartha Lakes area.

July 2 – Bob attempted to replace our solenoid (the thingy that shuts down a diesel engine).  Unfortunately that didn’t solve the problem.  So we still have to go down into the engine room to turn off the engine by physically moving the fuel valve.  Lots of fun when you go through 6+ locks a day and the engine has to be shut off.

Anyway, we moved on.

One of many pretty houses along the way.

 

Study in yellow, red and ORANGE.

 

Maneuvering into the locks was total chaos.  The procedure is that you tie up to the “blue line” to let the lock master know you intend to lock through.  That’s all fine and dandy when there’s space and no other boats.  However, on this holiday weekend there were a zillion boats in a very narrow space all jockeying for position.  Out of control houseboats were our particular favorite.  Bob managed to “parallel park” between 2 houseboats.  Bow and stern thrusters were quite helpful!

This dock and boat get the prize for most variety of flags flying.

 

Second prize for going with just one-flag theme.

 

We deemed this the Bob Reynold’s (our brother in law) water front:  you’ve got Audi, an athletic guy, a beer store, a ski boat, a skeleton representing the most bones broken, etc. etc.

 

Biggest Canadian flag yet.

 

Love this mascot.

 

After 3 locks of total mayhem we entered a much more tranquil part of the canal system.

 

Blue skies quickly being threatened by a storm front.  I’ll take the sunny side of the street!

 

Map of the next section.  It is so narrow you are advised to announce on the VHF radio that you are entering the Trent Canal.  Two boats of our size can not pass one another.  So basically  you enter a one way street blindly and hope no one is coming your way!

 

What narrow looks like ahead.

 

Narrow from the helm.  Some of the branches did touch the boat.

 

And from behind.

 

I notice the delphiniums along the way.

 

Bob notices the tug boats along the way.  He really liked the “gated” community.

 

We approach Kirkfield Lift Lock #36.  Looks like the end of the world!

 

Cool information about the lock.  Apparently in lock world, this is the “highest” elevation for a canal lock.  So basically in our world, we’re at the top of the world..

 

Sunset at the lock.  We thought this was the end of the evening….

 

But no, the storm finally hit and afterwards we were graced by a double rainbow over our boat. Cool end to a long day.