Association Forum - Living on board full time and going South (PART 11

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Living on board full time and going South (PART 11

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/28/2007 : 10:32:47

Writng this report Sunday, May 27th, '07 and sitting on board while it's raining outside both Johanna and myself are on a high, a very high indeed... to be precise 320 ft after 18 locks above our starting point in Lake Ontario. Our minds hardly accept the fact that we are already, after looking forward to this trip for years, several days into our Trent/Severn adventure... and what an adventure it is... still can't believe it!! If the remaining 230 odd miles is as wonderful and scenic as the first 5 days we have a lot to look forward to. But first I have to back-up a tad again...!!

After leaving the boat, our loved floating home, on April the 11th, in a barn at Johanna's family's farm we left Ontario to fly on airmile points across the country to visit the kids in British Columbia. This we considered another highlight since we hadn't seen the two new-borns and looked to spending time with each of our 4 children and their families. In BC we were met by our youngest daughter at the airport and while shedding a few tears of joy we had our first glimpse of Carmen's first born.

It proved to be a busy and yet relaxing two and a half week period with lots of time for the grand-kids. In fact I was called upon to babysit the kids while the ladies had activities.

While in our home town of Langley, BC we dealt with boring things such as house, car and personal insurance. The dreary filing of income taxes turned out much better than anticipated, mainly due to Johanna's accurate record keeping and our great accountant who concluded the forms with a healthy tax return... During our stay we were able to visit my previous place of employment, had the pleasure of talking “old-times” to the boys and co-workers while at the same time making provisions for upcoming contract work. Yes, our '95 C250 WB is going to be displayed in the feature area of the over 360 booth horticultural trade show, having the theme of “Sailing into the Future”, in September. It'll need some elbow grease to get it into shape though...!! Flying 1200 km further North to visit our other two kids and their families in Smithers, BC (located at the height of the Alaskan Pan Handle) we were met by a total of 11 family members including the newly born Kirsten Grasmeyer... what a joy to see them all at once. Yes, believe me, we played our hearts out during our entire stay and even visited the school and classes of our grandaughters Kayla and Rachel. I'm sure they are all glad we are off and gone again.

FROM OUR LOGBOOK May 4th, '07: “We're on our way back from Vancouver to Toronto with a two hour lay-over in Calgary, Alberta.. Johanna's brother will pick us up at the airport at about 11:30 pm to drive us to Port Hope, Ont were we will stay to re-fit the boat and prepare for our inland watertrip. We'll visit Opa, (Johanna's 91 year old dad) family and old friends as well. When I ask Johanna about leaving the kids behind and returning to “ships life” there is a sparkle in her eyes and an immediate response of “ we had a good time and enjoyed it very much, but I look forward to being with you on the boat again and starting our new Trent/Severn adventure”... Not only do I share her feelings but also experience real and uncanny sense of exitement of what lies ahead. Yes, we had a wonderful time, did things we needed and wanted to, admired the two new babies, re-connected with the grand kids, shared and talked lots with our own married kids, did tax returns, paperwork, visited friends and work and went for lots of dinners. Thanks you kids for letting us interupt your life and accommodating us during the last weeks... we can hear you say, “you made us happy twice... when you came... and when you went” Just an advance warning for you all... we'll be back again sometime in August, 2007”.

Back at the farm owned by George and Elsie Zweerink in Port Hope, Ont we started making improvements and additions to the boat in anticipation of six weeks of motoring, hopefully to be interupted here and there with some lake sailing. The farm has a first rate work shop with all the tools you'll ever need. During the few weeks there it was hard to get me away from the shop and all its tools. We had frequent visitors while on the hard.

Projects included 1) shorter spare rudder in order to accommodate the shallow water we would encounter 2) Bug screens for all hatches, 3) Small generator to reload batteries and to visit special places, 4) Tabernacle mast support, 5) Shroud coiling to keep the decks clear, 6)Tiller extension for cold windy and rainy days, 7) Smallish spare gas tanks when gas is far away 8) Curtains for the main cabin 9) motor tune up, valve adjustment and oilchange, 10) Wax boat before launching 11) Buy route strip charts and waterway description. 12) Research must see/do see places along the way 13) Repack our clothes and other things from the truck to the boat, 14) Obtain bug killing devices, spray and repellants. 15) Extra fenders for locking through the 44 locks

The next report is in the works
Love you all
Henk for Johanna too
Lock 18 in Hastings, Ontario

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2007 : 10:44:55

Awesome adventure... sounds like you are expecting a few insects?

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2007 : 11:47:05

Bruce... had no idea how big and abundant they are... They seem to find the most miniscule openings. Story is coming...

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gnorgan
Admiral

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USA
563 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2007 : 23:14:12

Really nice to read your latest. Sure wish Susie and I were trailering/sailing along with you. Sounds so much better than working

Someday soon....

Thinking very seriously about hauling Classical Cat up to the northwest, not this summer but next, and sailing the San Juans. Perhaps a rendevous is in order?

Anyway, happy sailing (or locking??) and hope to cross paths with you and Johanna, our new old friends

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2007 : 21:31:01

Gary... we sure would have liked to have you and Susan join us on this trip... its a total hoot! Would love to meet up and spend time together in the San Juans later this or next year...

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