WE ARE IN PETERBOROUGH!

WED. JULY 10th:

Left Burleigh Falls at 8:30AM as locks opened hoping

to head for Lakefield.  Winds got up at 10:30AM, in our

faces, had a struggle but continued until 12:45PM pulled

in at Young's Point lock, stayed there for the night, winds

continued very strong.

 

THURS. JULY 11th:

This morning we were up and away by 6:50AM, had a

beautiful morning until 10:30, winds came up again - 

northeast.  Did not stop us we were in the Otonabee

River.  We went through eight locks including the

famous Mills Lock #19, Peterborough.  Staying at

Scott's Lock tonight and tomorrow to visit the museum

and grocery shopping, our first day off.  Dining tonight at

Swiss Chalet!

MONDAY & TUESDAY UPDATES:

MONDAY, JULY 9th:

Left Bobcaygeon 7:30AM very calm

morning then about 10AM suddenly,

southwest winds came up strong, was

hardest day of trip on Pigeon Lake -

only did 10kms.  At 11:45AM was blown

in to Sandy Point.  Stayed here hoping

wind would subside but never did.  Landed

on a beautiful cut lawn with oak trees, found

an old building,  windows and doors were

open. Bill went to investigate knocked but no

one there, showed name of Sandy Point Resort. 

We decided to stay then had a siesta followed by

supper.  During the evening a car drove past,

eventually a couple (caretaker) showed up, now

a private property.  We explained the situation -

very nice man, said we could stay the night.  We

then pitched our tents.

 

TUESDAY, JULY 10th:

This morning we decided to get up early, got

away at 6AM, had a good day's paddle all the

way to Buck Horn.  Stopped here had early

lunch, weather excellent, went through to Love

Sick Lock.  Arrived at Burleigh Falls Lock #28

at 2:45PM, set up camp.  Can hear rumble of

thunder in the distance, black skies!  Did some

repairs to JR's kayak, broken cable, did some

laundry.   Camping here to night.  Hurrying to

collect dry laundry before rains come.

 

UPDATES FOR SATURDAY JULY 7th & SUNDAY JULY 8TH:

SATURDAY:

8:15AM left Bolsover Lock, overcast day,

arrived Fenelon Falls 5:15PM -- a major day,

paddled 38kms!!  For our accomplishment, at campsite

celebrated with a banquet of bought roast chicken, green

salad, tomatoes, and potato salad,  and for dessert

chocolate brownies with strawberry ice cream .  To

complete this fine cuisine we went to Tim Horton's for

coffee.  Bedtime at 10PM, our first late night. 

Camped here for Sat. night.

 

SUNDAY:

Left Fenelon Falls at 9AM, another overcast

day, had light showers at lunchtime.  Arrived

2:15PM at Bobcaygeon.  Completed 25kms

today.  Camping here tonight.

TOTAL TO DATE OF 515 KMS (APPROX.) 

 

POSITION UPDATE FROM SPANISH DONKEY!

FRIDAY, JULY 6TH:

 

Left McCrae Pt at 6:15AM, extremely hard

paddling across Lake Simcoe.  Arrived 3:30PM

at Bolsover Lock, camping here tonight.

 

Latitude 44 degree 30 min. 58 sec. N

Longitude 79 degree 05 min. 22 sec. W

BOLSOVER LOCK #37

3-DAY UPDATE -- DONKEYS GALLOPING ALONG:

TUES. JULY 3rd:

9:00AM, left Port Severn headed for Big Chute Marine

Railway Lock System, #44.  Very interesting, shown how

it works.  Arrived at Swift Rapid Locks at 3:30PM -

weather good all day; camped overnight at SWR locks.

Distance today, 26kms.

 

WED. JULY 4th:

Awoke very early then heavy clouds and rain set in.

Stayed at Swift Rapids Lock,  had an early lunch,

left at noon hour after rain stopped.  Paddled all

afternoon until 5:30PM, arrived at Couchiching Lock,

#42.  Evening was sunny and bright.  Distance today,

25kms.

 

THURS. 5th:

Left Couchiching Lock at 7:45AM, morning heavily

overcast, paddled all the way down Lake Couchiching

3 3/4 hr distance, non-stop.  At noon hour stop at mariner

end of Lake Couchiching had lunch at area

called Attersley Narrows (Orillia).  This afternoon

paddled on into Lake Simcoe, arrived at McCrae

Prov. Park at 2:00PM today, Thurs.  Skies blue

with northwesterly winds - drying laundry in the

blowing winds.  Completed 25kms. today

 

TOTAL OF 417KMS, DAY 16, NO DAYS OFF!!

 

[Tomorrow's plans a big day ahead (weather permitting)

a 2 1/2-hr paddle across Lake Simcoe, HUGE open water

- the last of Big water until Bay of Quinte (Lake Ontario).

 

 

 

 

UPDATES FOR SUNDAY & MONDAY

SUNDAY, JULY 1st: 

Left Frying Pan Island about 6:15A.M.

mornings seems to be good paddling weather

then afternoons get quite rough, winds pick up

especially in open water.  Arrived at GO HOME

BAY approx. 3:30PM, camped at Go Home

River.  Did 26kms today, Sunday.

MONDAY, July 2nd:

Very cold night, awoke to thick mist on river

this morning.  Left Go Home River about 6:10AM,

had good weather not much wind until 11:00A.M.

then winds picked up got stronger in afternoon.

Made very good time, got into Port Severn today,

Monday about 3:20PM got through locks by 3:45PM. 

Camping at Locks tonight.

Did 35 kms today - a long day!

In 13 straight days of paddling completed 360kms!!

Weather very much in our favour, no serious

rain.  Going to do laundry then into town for

for a relaxing evening.

 

DONKEYS UPDATES FOR FRIDAY & SATURDAY!

FRI. JUNE 29th:

Left Kill Bear park at 6:45AM headed for

Parry Sound (means huge body of water) - a beautiful

calm morning,  then winds blew up hard in the afternoon

got into P.S. approx 2:00PM.  Had a free night camped at

OPP boat launch area, were very accommodating, good public

washrooms. We were next to the PS Theatre complex and

Bobby Orr Hall of Fame.  Had a big night out on the town

at Don Cherry's restaurant -- (what civilization, eh!!)

Very rough on the open water in PS with heavy boat traffic.

 

SAT. JUNE 30th: 

Next morning, bright & early left at 6:45AM, excellent paddling

morning until the winds picked up at lunch time, paddled 26kms

by then.  Northwest winds behind us 2:00PM arrived at FRYING PAN

ISLAND, was an old settlement of SANS SOUCI, no camping allowed.

Headed to next mariner called HENRY'S, another free night's camp. 

Had another 'pig out' dinner of fresh fish & chips (HUGE portions) 

at Frying Pan Island.

Donkeys all fit and fighting, having a wonderful time!