Overnight at Smiths Falls Combined Lock

44°53′47″ N 76°1′16″ W

Today I traveled from Merrickville to Smiths Falls. The journey took about four hours with no waiting time at any of the locks.

The lockmasters at each lock commented that traffic had started slowing down quite a bit since the end of the Quebec construction holiday.

I tied up in the basin at Smiths Falls, adjacent to the docking area for the LeBoat fleet of charter boats. Catherine & I are planning to charter one of their boats in France sometime next year or the year after.

Scattered showers kept me inside for the balance of the day. Things calmed down a bit around dusk.

Hopefully this will be the end of rain for a few days because I have some friends coming tomorrow (Monday) to spend some time on the boat with me.

Cheers!

Aylings Boatyard Merrickville

44°55′2″ N 75°49′51″ W

It rained most of the day today – a good excuse to sleep in & then take a long nap later in the afternoon.

Just before noon I managed to drum up a bit of ambition. Steve Flewitt, the owner of Aylings Boatyard was getting ready to custom cut some hardwood lumber for one of his customers so I lent a hand as his apprentice pile it. Steve cut the wood & I piled it for him. Sorry, no photos to show you because I was keeping a close eye on my fingers 🖐 🤚while working around the monster saws & planers.

Just before bedtime I received a text message from my friend Glenn with an inspirational poster.

I am looking forward to impressing my guests on board with a platter like that.

Yummmmy👍