Owen Symington

Another beautiful summer day in the North Channel of Georgian Bay. After a leisurely breakfast and a swim we motored into the wind back to Killarney, docked at Killarney Mountain Lodge Marina. Had a late lunch at the World Famous Herbert’s Fish & Chips which was very good. Checked out the bakery but it was too late in the day and they did not have much left. We had to bid farewell to our Swedish friends for now as we head home (by car) and they continue on The Great Loop and head toward Lake Michigan from here.

After breakfast of blueberry pancakes, peameal bacon and maple syrup we moved Thaleia to the top of Baie Fine then took the dinghy further up to The Pool. Hiked a trail up to Lake Topaz a small lake on the Killarney ridge where Eva & I went for a swim. Then we sailed Thaleia down Baie Fine across Frazer Bay to Heyward Island. Anchored for the night with many other boats. No wind for sailing but a beautiful calm night on anchor.

We met up again with Eva & Tomas in Killarney after they spent the last two weeks sailing Thaleia from the Welland Canal to Georgian Bay while we have been home adjusting to land life. Beautiful day on the water. We motored into the wind out of Killarney, across Frazer Bay and then through the narrow entrance into Baie Fine. So nice to be enjoying the beauty of Canada again and special to be here with Eva & Tomas from Sweden. They feel at home in Georgian Bay as it’s very similar to the Swedish archipelago near Stockholm.

We joined our friends on SV Thaleia to transit the Welland Canal as up-bound passage requires at least three people, two line handlers and one operator. It was really helpful to have four people onboard. It was a very hot day but not busy. Went through the locks with only one other boat and only passed one large commercial boat. Scheduled start time was 9AM but they got us into lock one early and we only had two short delays. Waited for the big ship to go through lock 7 and also waited for a GO train to pass before the bridge opened. We were very happy to get through the entire canal in under 8 hours as it can take 12-14 hours. Spent a very nice evening at the free docks in Port Colborne, had dinner at Canalside restaurant.

Winds variable and mostly light. Later in trip wind directly on nose. A little bumpy starting out but overall mostly flat sea state. Motored sailed for short time early in day. Docked on wall just below lock one ready for up bound trip through the canal tomorrow morning. Fun day aboard Thaleia with Tomas & Eva!

Winds were light and variable from south. Extreme heat. Anchored off the yacht club for a swim. Warmest Lake Ontario in July I can remember. 78F First sail after stepping the mast Good opportunity to tune the rigging.

Fun day on Esmeralda with James, Jaqueline & Keira. Race to the Ajax weather buoy and back. Winds were about 7kts from SW to start and built to about 18-20kts W or NW after rounding the Ajax weather buoy. Waves were about .5 m, 3 sec. The snacks were great and company superb!

Light winds and flat calm most of the way. Overcast skies cleared to sunshine by the time we arrived. Uneventful motor home with our mast carried on deck. Arrived home to a big welcome crew on dock eight. So nice to be back at PWM with so many familiar and friendly faces. Champagne popped and flowing all afternoon celebrating the completion of our trip to the Bahamas and back. One year, one week and one day!

Very light winds and calm sea state for the entire trip, which is what we were looking for as we are still carrying our mast on cradles on the deck. Some fog about 6nm from Oswego which cleared within an hour. Light rain as we approached Cobourg. We chose this weather window to motor across the lake and will get the mast stepped at our home marina in Whitby. Now waiting in Cobourg as winds from the west for the next few days will create head on waves, we don’t want to be motoring into the wind with the mast on deck. Considering all the big storms north and south of the lake glad we had the opportunity to cross the lake, home to Canada when we did.

Moved past the last lock in prepare for an early morning departure on Saturday since the locks open at 8AM. Docked on a wall managed by the Best Western. Walked around town and bought treats for our lake crossing tomorrow at Man in the Moon Candies. Dinner and drinks with Scott & Leslie MV A Loan Again (from Ottawa) and an early night.