A close inspection of this photo reveals several things: it's raining; it's windy; it's 47°F; and the water is a chilly-for-swimming 60°F. In other words, it's a great day to be snug and warm in Nellie's wheelhouse.
Spending time on deck as we go through the locks, makes the crew even happier to be in the dry, warm wheelhouse.
Trouble in Edmond's Lock 25. Something was keeping one of the downstream valves from fully closing. It magically cleared after the maintenance crew showed up. I asked one of the techs if they were going to take credit for the repair anyway. His answer, "We're here. It's clear. Darn right."
All the cool weather and rain has been good for the flowering plants.
Today we crossed paths with Sharyn and Derek Robinson, from South Africa, in Old Slys Lock 27. They're on the tail end of a two week cruising holiday in a rented LeBoat. They have two girls and two boys. In the beginning of his working life Derek apprenticed as a machinist--a wonderful beginning he says. It took 35 years of hard work but they built a company that makes mining equipment. They retired last year and their son-in-law, son and two partners have taken over. Sharyn and Derek are both prior international sailboat racers. Now they enjoy a more relaxed pace aboard their 30' sloop. Sharyn really enjoys traveling. Derek enjoys the trips that Sharyn puts together. Next year they plan to rent a boat and go cruising in Croatia.
It was 14 miles from Smith's Falls to Merrickville. The waterway appears to be made up of a bunch of connected ponds. What water there is is shallow. Not to worry though, the channels are very well marked. The increasing current is evidence of the Rideau's higher-than-normal water levels. Tonight we're safely tied to the Parks Canada dock at the top of the Merrickville falls. Having learned their lesson, Nellie's crew conscientiously avoided any mooring location near the top of the falls. 157 miles into 2019 and 8348 miles since leaving Naples. DBH
