Lovesick to Lake Simcoe

Tuesday, June 27, Day 12. We leave luvverly Lovesick Lock to cross the lake to Buckhorn  for the first lockage of the day at 9:00, by which time the weather clears, and we’re through into Buckhorn Lake, then Pigeon Lake, to Bobcaygeon, where we tie up for lunch.

We wanted to move on, but thunderous skies appeared again. A brief attempt at dodging the weather led to a quick turnaround as rain hit us sideways, and we tied up again at Bobcaygeon lock wall for the night. 42 miles done that day, plus two locks. Our American friends were arriving there, too, and so cocktails at 5:00 pm was on the cards. Here we heard all about the strong rapids and currents ahead of us – tales of derring do and derring don’t.

The next day, we leave bright and early to catch the first lockage at Fenelon Falls, and are joined by a trawler from Toronto, Outport, that the owner bought new in 1988, and was sailing it to Midland, a Back Cove 34 from Muskoka, and a big cruiser from Arizona. Next lock is Rosedale, then Balsam Lake, which is the high point of the system – from there we will be going  downstream on the Severn River/Trent Canal to Lake Simcoe – and then the famous Kirkfield lift lock, second only to Peterborough in its height. A somewhat unnerving experience….

Back into weeds and narrow shallow channels through the stump-clogged lakes and canals, and then, after a major delay at Bolsover Lock 37, we go through Talbot Lock, Portage Lock and tie up at a peaceful and serene Thora Lock 40. Another 42 miles and this time 7 locks – a very full day, with nearly 7 hours on the engines. Because of this, and weather, we treat ourselves to two nights at Thora, and are joined the next  day by Magic Jeanne, so we have them (Art and Jeanne) over for drinks at the end of Day 14.

Day 14 we spend at the lock, amid showers and risk of thunderstorms. Tomorrow we will get the first lockage of the remaining two and get to the Lake Simcoe crossing, in the company of Magic Jeanne…