Thursday, June 23, 2016

Off to Orillia , Jewel of the Trent

Hi Fand F, 
Well another beautiful day , sunny , no wind today which made it very pleasant!
The sound of the loon calling this morning was a thrill.
The water looked so inviting Erica decided  to have a swim .The water was quite warm and the blue gill fish were swiming about nearby , specially as we had been feeding the  some bread earlier they were inquisitive to see what Erica was all about !
By the way this is a water slide !
We left at 10 to 10am to catch the first lock of the day, one of five in close succession before reaching. lake Simcoe.As we entered the first lock with a 36 trawler from the Sunset Marina, who should come steaming  up, our  friends on the 48 ' Cantis and the 48 ' Cranchi who had been our companions on the day after Peterborough on that stressful day.So again four boats in the locks scenario.
Anyway this time as we were going down in the locks not up , it seemed to go much more smoothly.
It was very scenic between the locks with lots of farmland and animals in the  pastures. So like the canal du Midi in France.
As we were the first boat , I noticed we had less trouble in front than the boat behind us.
This was the reverse when we were in the front going up.Maybe it has something to do with the way the water is distributed in the locks.Onto Lake Simcoe for about 14 miles, nice and deep with no weeds and smooth waters.Understand this lake can get up quite rough in windy conditions . 
At 2 pm we arrived at Port of Orillia Marina.Nice new floating docks  but lots of weed growing.Quite a problem I would think for the Marina.Thry are expecting. 200 boats in tomorrow for their annual Christmas in June festival on 25 th All the  boats get decorated with the Christmas theme and have then they have a turkey dinner which raises money for charities.
 We walked into the Main Street and checked out the shops and restaurants . Dinner is  off the boat tonight.We made a reservation at Era 67 for tonight.One recommended restaurant was Sixteen Front  (from a friend who went there last year ) but It had already closed down. Back for a rest and cocktails, then into town for a wonderful meal. Amazing food , with lamb, PEI mussels, steaks, steelhead trout, duck and short ribs .Tony our waiter was fun and we enjoyed the evening.Strolled back to boat where people were already starting to decorate their boats .
One had a blue lit Christmas  tree and a Santa coming down chimney.Should  be a fun  weekend, but we head off tomorrow morning  for another big day and the big chute!
Over and Out, 
Crew Lady Erica.




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