Sunday, August 4, 2019
Dietrich watched a loon catch a bluegill then wiggle and sake it into that long neck. He could see it pulsing as it headed down. No camera in sight. Great Blue Herons stood like limbs on deadwood, then nipped fish with their scissor beaks, almost too quickly to focus on the action. Calls of osprey chicks have been part of the last few days' entertainment. Our attention is drawn to huge nests high in trees or on manmade platforms. Made from big sticks, they look like startled porcupines! A lock tender told us about a fish who leapt out of the water between the opening gates. In a flash, a hovering osprey dove between those gates, caught the fish, swooped over the crowd of boats and away. There were gasps and cheers.
Happily, we heard from Lawrence and Joan (she from Wales, he from Scotland, now living in Toronto) who hope to connect with us later in the trip. We met them in December, 2008, on Bimini, shared the holidays, then saw them off and on throughout the Bahamas. In 2016, we had a reunion at Oak Bay, in Ontario's North Channel.
Several days ago while we were parked at a fuel dock, a 36' sailboat captain ignored the dock crew's directions to wait in the open water until room could be made for him. He drove to the dock (cockpit fully covered with canvas so his forward view was limited and his deafness kept him from hearing warning shouts from the dock crew), rammed the tip of our deck-stored mask and roller furling, sheared the protective 2'x4' in half, and plucked his port shrouds and back stay across the jagged remains. The roller furling looks misshapen but we won't know the extent of the damage until we can take the whole rig apart. That will not happen until we reach a yard where repairs are possible, somewhere on the Hudson River. For now, there is nothing we can do but move along the NY Canal system and enjoy the ride.
August 2, we crossed Lake Ontario in about ten hours. It was a quiet, sunny day. Leaving Canada was hard since we will miss the Trent-Severn Canal. It was a top notch experience! August 3rd was a maintenance day. Our generous and friendly hosts at the Oswego Yacht Club have made it easy. Thanks especially to Chuck, Noel, Phil and others who were so welcoming. We had several long evenings of great conversation and stunning sunsets, shared meals, and ideas. It was time so well spent!
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| after the crash |
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| flat Lake Ontario |
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| Our friends on Bacchus |
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| a great bike ride around Oswego |
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| Trent -Severn at our last wall |
1 comment:
hi floeter's - so fun to read your about your comings and goings! keep them coming! if i didn't know better, i would think it was Norm from GLSS at the helm of the vessel that rammed you! that must have been frightening and frustrating! hope all is well. nothing new here.
kelly and glen
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