Thorah to Fenelon Falls

TThe day was grey and overcast. Thorah is a very quiet and private place to overnight. We had the bottom of the lock to ourselves. Everyone on board slept in and had a leisurely start to the day.

It was 10 am before we got underway and started thru our first lock.

We always enjoy this section of the trip, travelling the man made channel. It is straight as an arrow, and after all these years the trees and shrubbery grow right along the canal creating a very secluded African Queen experience.

 And then to our surprise in an clearing area what appears but a herd of cattle relaxing along the side of the canal under a tree. Enjoying the lazy summer days of summer.

Then we come across this old hole in the wall bridge. What a sensation as we approach. Will we fit under??? I know we do because we passed under 2 years ago when we brought the boat from Marathon,  but it doesn't stop the feeling that have to be too high to go under this structure.
Nothing has changed. Once again we go under with room to spare. Not much tho'.

 And then we come to the Kirkfield Lift Lock. Another unique experience. It is like 2 huge bathtubs that hold boats. You go in on one side and the weight from the otherside lifts you up. A lot easier locking than when you are in an empty lock that fills with water. Kirkfield is at the summit of the Trent Severn Waterway, some 260 feet above sea level. We have been going up, up, up from Georgian Bay, and now we will go down, down, down till we reach Lake Ontario/Bay of Quinte at Trenton.

There are 45 locks along the Trent Severn Waterway. Trenton is lock 1 and Port Severn is lock 45. The booklet says you can travel the entire system in 5 to 7 days. It will take us longer as we don't push ourselves along the way, and if we want to stop and spend a day or two somewhere of interest we do. Oh to be retired and have the time. I guess this is our reward for all of those rushed and long days while working. No schedule here. And we work really hard to no longer have a schedule.

This photo is taken from the top of the lock at Kirkfield looking back the way we have come. You get some perspective of the height when you notice the boats tied to the dock on the right hand side.



We arrived at Fenelon Falls just ahead of a terrific thunderstorm with lots of thunder, rain and wind. I felt the first of the raindrops as we tied our lines and it was getting serious by the time I had closed up the flybridge. Good timing on getting in to port. Sure would not of enjoyed being out on the lake in that storm.