Cambellford - on the wall again....yes we are on the wall again....

Six locks today and 31 miles to Hastings, ON. The Trent Severn is a route that leads boats through lock after lock. Often the lock is open and ready for us to enter. Instead of using the VHF Radio for communication, the telephone is the mode of conversation. Call the Lockmaster and let them know how many boats are coming.

Two of the locks work together in that the boat enters the chamber and is locked up. Instead of leaving the lock, the boat moves directly into the next chamber and is locked up again. This allows for a large lock without the need for huge doors and mechanical engineering.

The National Parks Service of Canada makes an effort to explain how the locks work. This sign explains the use of gravity and the water valves that allow the water from above to enter the lock.

Since the original locks were built, many of the locks have been changed, but others remain basic, as with these wooden doors. Most of the locks have wooden doors.

This sign explains the typical laborer in 1908. For these locks, most were recent immigrants from Italy. They lived is shacks and moved from lock to lock as they were built. The holes were dug with shovel and pick ax.

The Trent Severn Waterway is beautiful and peaceful.

This lock has a road over the lock. After the lock is filled and the boat is raised to the correct water level, the road traffic is stopped and the bridge opens.

The old railroad bridge has been along the canal for a LONG time.

We were hit with thousands of dragonflies. (All were busy making more baby dragonflies!) The Lockmasters like the dragon flies because they eat mosquitoes.

The area under a lock as it empties can have a "bit" of current. I always thought a bit was a small amount.

We tied to the blue line (which indicates we are ready to enter the locks) and awaited the opening of the lock door.  I climbed the steps to the top of the double lock and saw a boat we have seen several times in the Great Lakes – One Grand.  It is the 1000^th Grand Banks 42 and was specially built for one of the Grand Banks dealers. The boat had been for sale for some time and was being delivered to Boston by the purchaser.

As we waited for the double lock, I climbed to the top and saw a Grand Banks 42. The boat name is One Grand. We know the boat from the Great Lakes Grand Banks Association. I asked the captain if he had just bought the boat. He was surprised I would know that, but I explained we knew the owner and knew the boat was for sale. Quite a coincidence.

One Grand leaving the double lock. One Grand was the 1000th Grand Banks 42 built. Our boat is numbered 952.

We have been driving from the lower helm as it is easier for Jim to help with the locking. After all these locks we have become pros (tomorrow will certainly be a disaster after saying that!). Our skills have improved significantly over the last year. (I guess!)

Most of the locks have a home immediately at the lock. The Lockmaster in the past always lived at the lock. Now they are used as an office and restrooms.

The people watching boats traverse the locks are great fun!

As we enter the lock, we can see the lock wall in this lock is leaking....a bit.

As Crawdad approached Old Mill Park (City Dock) a gentlemen offered to help us and informed us he knew who we were as he follows our blog! He knew Boo and Buddy and was really a nice guy.

The Lockmaster showed me the controls for the double lock. Where is the handle that is turned manually by the other Lockmasters?

When the water is released to lower the boats in the lock, there is again, a bit of tumultuous water.

In we go!

There is the Lockmaster. He has a PA system to communicate with the boaters. After the first lock is filled, the boat moves directly into the next chamber.

Lines fall from the top of the wall. The Captain and crew or in our case the Captain and the Captain attach a line around the plastic covered cable and hang on. The Trent Severn Locks are not as crazy as those on the River System.

This was the first lock where we saw the zebra mussels.

In the lock with Greg of Grainan, holding the line. Also in the lock was a SeaRay owned by a couple who have cruised Georgian Bay and the North Channel for 30 years. Garry saw with us and marked up our charts for the good...and bad ....spots along the way. Extremely helpful. Amazing how many friendly people we have met in a lock or tied on the wall.

The designer of the Toonie coin ($2.00 coin) was from Campbellford. The town erected this sculpture in his honor. Be careful what you design.

As we left one of the locks, the Lockmaster pushed the boat ahead of us as to not hit the wall. She lost her balance and fell from the lock wall, but had the good sense to hang on for dear life. The door to enter the side of the boat was open and she pulled herself on the boat. A bit of a panic, but only her ego was bruised.

What a lovely day for a ride.

I love barns.

I really love barns.

Cambellford is a small town (what’s new!) with a few restaurants and a great hardware. Purchased a few items needed for Grianan and Crawdad and visited every other shop. Not much there, but a good walk.

Jim and I feel our best meals have been on the boat with friends. Kate and Greg enjoy many of the same foods as we and the meals (in our opinion) our fabulous! Yeah for cooking on the boat! But tonight we went to Capers, a local restaurant and it was one of the better restaurants we have found.