Month: July 2014

Yesterday, MY Jane and I travelled to Toronto to meet up with Steven to help him take delivery of his new car. On the way, driving down hwy 427, we were hit by a severe thunderstorm. Visibility was minimal and we had to creep along. The wind was fierce too. We got through that and proceeded to the Toronto Island Airport Ferry to go to Stevens workplace where he is Operations Manager.

Here’s Jane looking up at the new company signage that Steven designed and had made.

We then had a tour of the facility which included a huge hangar where several company owned planes are being refurbished. Steven works for Stolport, a company that does work for the UN and also manages the Airport Ferry and Parking.

Both Jane and I were very impressed at how well organized Steven is. He says, “With so many things going on at once, I have to be organized.” Even his office – a corner one with a great view – was very organized. 

After the tour, we went to pick up Steven’s new car, a fully loaded Mercedes! A beautiful car! 

We capped off the day by going for dinner at a Beaches restaurant close to Stevens apartment.

All in all – a great day!

Yesterday we went to the nearby Rogers store to see about getting a replacement I Phone for MY Jane. It turns out that I was eligible for an upgrade so what we did was get the upgrade for me and Jane took over my old phone. It then took most of the afternoon to organize everything and to get all my pictures off my old phone so Jane could start fresh. But at least it’s done.

Later today, Jane and I are taking a drive down to Toronto to help Steven take delivery of a new car. He is going to be keeping his old car at his workplace on Toronto Island Airport where he is Operations Manager, so we volunteered to drive him to pick up the new one.

Yesterday, MY Jane and I went to Bay Port to have a look at te damaged prop on Georgian Spirit. In addition to the prop, the shaft and rudder were damaged as well. The company that supplies new shafts, located near Mount Albert, is closed all of this week so the repairs will not be complete until next week.

It’s raining here in Barrie. The neglected flowers in our front and back yards need it badly. MY Jane has worked so hard at making it look beautiful and it’s a shame that it has gotten to this. Hopefully this rain will rejuvenate the garden somewhat.

Minnie was very happy to be back home. She re-acquainted herself with the back yard as soon as we arrived and soon after, plopped herself down in the middle of our bed. 

Today, Bay Port will be lifting Georgian Spirit and hopefully fixing the damaged propeller. I am hoping it is just that and not a bent shaft. That would be very costly. I am also having them replace the faulty gas tank sending unit and depth finder. 

We will be spending most of the week here in Barrie catching up on things. Jane will be taking her Mom shopping and doing a few other errands.

Yesterday, The thought of having to dock Georgian Spirit with one engine disabled was somewhat daunting to me. Fortunately, Mother Nature cooperated by keeping the wind down and, with the help of MY Jane, Klae, Steven, and Bay Port Staff, it went pretty good.

Yesterday, Steven decided to fly his quad copter with Go Pro camera attached over Frying Pan Bay.

He got some great aerial shots of the bay and surroundings. From the location depicted above, the landing was somewhat rough and the quad copter crashed almost ending up in the lake.

Shaping up to be a nice day. 

Yesterday we went by dinghy to McCrae Lake for a picnic and to look at the shrine there.

We saw several young girls, about 9 or 10 years of age, and a couple of camp counsellors, portage a huge canoe straight up the rocks. An impressive demonstration of leadership and teamwork.

Steven and Klae climbed up to the shrine and placed a cross there while MY Jane and I stayed at the rapids.

We remain anchored in Frying Pan Bay. Yesterday we discovered that the forward head holding tank was full. This, despite the fact that I had stopped at Nautilus Marina for a Pumpout last Friday. I even asked the kid there if he was sure it was empty and he re-assured me that it was.

If our friends Larry and Marge are at Bone Island, maybe we’ll swing by to say hello.

Yesterday, I decided to take advantage of a good weather forecast and head towards home port. Having only one engine, would be an interesting operation. MY Jane, Steven, and Klae were in agreement.

Surprisingly, the boat handled not too badly at about 7mph. I only used the bow thruster to help round one sharp corner at ODonnell Point. 

We stayed in Frying Pan Bay overnight and were treated to a fantastic display of lightning and thunder which began at about 9 PM.

Earlier, Steven and Klae did some fishing off the swim platform and caught some small perch.

Left McCabe Rock about 1:15. Arrived around Cow Island about 5:00. 

Yesterday turned out to be a busy day. Steven and Klae went to Honey Harbour and did a little shopping. That shopping included the purchase of a minnow trap and on their return they set out to catch some.

MY Jane and I spent some time tidying up and sitting on the aft deck watching boats and feeding the geese.

Klae caught a very large pike which we let go because no one likes to eat pike.

We roasted marshmallows and lit sparklers that Steven had bought.

This morning Chris and Tonya left for home after a great week even though the weather was not so cooperative. 

Klae continues to fish off the swim platform hoping to catch some big fish. Yesterday she did have a fair sized pickerel but it broke the line.

It was a beautiful sunny summer day at McCabe Rock yesterday. There was a lot of summertime activities going on. MY Jane, Chris, Tonya and I went swimming.

The water was nice and we stayed in swimming for quite awhile.

Well, yesterday we sailed Georgian Spirit to McCabe Rock, one of our favourite anchorages. 

Yesterday began as another rainy day. Chris tried fishing again, but no luck. He and I then went to shore and I filleted the fish I had caught the day before. It was a rough job, but we got two nice fillets which we decided to pan fry right away for a taste. Everyone liked it.

It’s another rainy day in Port Rawson. Chris is anxious to get fishing again. Last evening, after a delicious dinner prepared by MY Jane, he and I went out to a nearby spot and I caught another – maybe two pounder. I’m going to filet it a little later. Haven’t done that for over thirty years.

I’m hoping that it will clear up later today so we can do some swimming and go on a dinghy ride somewhere.

Yesterday, we moved to Port Rawson Bay. We had to make a trip of about 5 miles to Leblancs Store on Frying Pan Island to get more milk and bread. Tonya bought us all ice cream cones which was a nice treat. Chris filled the dinghy up with gas despite the fact that it was selling for $2.10 a litre. 

MY Jane and Tonya prepared a great dinner of vegetable kababs and shrimp which we barbecued.

I caught a small pickerel about 1 1/2 lbs but that was it. I kept the fish on a chain with the intention of catching more while keeping it fresh. It didn’t last the night, so this morning, I decided to fillet it on the swim platform. Unfortunately, it was very slippery and ended up sliding right back into the lake before I finished.

This morning has begun as a bright sunny day.

That’s a shot through the Master Stateroom window.

Yesterday, MY Jane and Chris went swimming despite the fact that it was overcast and a bit windy.

And later in the day we took a dinghy ride to Port Rawson to check out how many boats from the Rendezvous were still there. Most had left so we plan to move there today.

Chris and I went fishing just around the bend from here. No luck but we did get a chance to observe a beaver at work in between sounding an alarm that we were close by loudly slapping his tail against the water.

We had a great dinner of eggplant casserole that was prepared by Tonya.

The day was capped off with several games of cards. A fun day!

We left Bay Port aboard Georgian Spirit late morning and travelled about 40 miles to our point of anchorage just West of Port Rawson Bay.

The little red arrowhead is our present location.

Chris & Tonya arrived last night ready for the beginning if a week aboard Georgian Spirit sailing to points North. Minnie, the ships cat, will be along for the ride.

We plan on stopping at Indian Harbour for lunch and a swim, then continuing toward Port Rawson Bay.

Yesterday I went to one of my favourite stores, Canadian Tire, and bought a T fitting for the propane tank. This allows me to have 2 propane devices – the BBQ and Coleman stove/grill – hooked up to the same tank. Stevens idea!

Before this, I was using the little green propane bottles which are expensive and don’t last long. I am happy with this set-up.

We have grocery shopping to do, a Pumpout to be done, and miscellaneous things to do to prepare.

It is shaping up to be one of the best weather days in awhile. The sun is shining brightly and the sky is blue.

In the afternoon, I took Jane for a dinghy ride down the Wye River almost to the bridge at Hwy 12. She loved it.

Later, Jane washed the galley curtains, something she had been wanting to do for some time.

Weather plays such an important part in everyday lives, but even more so in boating. 

A storm passed by us including a lot of thunder and lightning. 

It’s overcast today and I wouldn’t be surprised if it rains. This morning, first thing, a Bay Port mechanic will be installing a new sending unit for the Port side gas tank. As he says, “Its not the actual installation, it’s getting at it that’s hard. He has to move the sofa out of the way then lift up sections of the salon floor. A big job in itself.

It will be good to have this done before we leave for Port Rawson Bay this coming Saturday with Chris and his fiancé, Tonya.

Because the weather forecast was not looking very promising, I decided to remain in port Saturday night even though our gas gauge issue was solved. Instead, MY Jane, Steven and I had a great steak dinner with mushrooms, potatoes, and veggies. That was followed by an evening of great conversation and company.

We very carefully wound our way down the river and came upon an unexpected sight. Swans – a pair of them and they had one little one! They were totally unperturbed by our presence and we even got within 6 feet of them with no problem.

We returned to Bay Port and a little while later, Steve had to leave for home.

Yesterday morning during breakfast preparation, the generator quit working and would not re-start.

Minnie has taken over. After dinner, MY Jane, Steven and I headed for McCabe Rock. 

Minnie said, Row you bastards, row!

After our arrival at McCabe Rock and getting the anchor set, MY Jane continued with the organizing that she had begun on previous trips up. It’s almost there.

I stayed behind her on the way down just in case, but she managed it quite well. Amazing for a 92 year old!

They had a great time and were quite “giggly” on return. It’s those darn insulated glasses. LOL.

Arrived at Georgian Spirit with MY Jane, her Mom, Ted, and Minnie, the new ships cat. We had a lot of trepidation about Minnie coming in the boat. But she has been pretty good. 

But soon she was out exploring every nook and cranny.

And also the two sides of the big boat

Still have the large transom name to put on.

Today we head to McCabe Rock.