Overnight at Aylings Boatyard in Merrickville
44°55′2″ N 75°49′51″ W
Today was the last day of my journey with Mike & Pennie & it was also Santosha’s last day of cruising for 2019.
We had tied up in the basin at Smith Falls above the Combined Locks. Our journey today would take us through the Combined Locks, Old Slys, Edmonds, Kilmarnoch & then finally through the three locks at Merrickville.
But, before we cast off I took Pennie & Mike for breakfast at the Roosteraunt! This was a great way to start our day.
Our journey from Smiths Falls to Merrickville was uneventful except for some heavy looking skies, the occasional raindrops & a beautiful black cat on the trawler that went through the locks with us. His “people” told us that he loves the boat & often takes command of the flybridge.
We got through the three locks at Merrickville around 1:00pm & headed directly over to Aylings Boatyard.
After tying Santosha up securely we walked into the village & had lunch at a local cafe. Then I drove Pennie to Kingston in my car (to pick up their car) while Mike stayed aboard Santosha.
Pennie & I were back in Merrickville just before 6:00pm. Mike & Pennie helped me take down Santosha’s bimini & then we BBQ’d a pork tenderloin for supper.
I am feeling a bit sad at having reached the end of my cruising adventures for 2019 but I am also ready to go home. I’ve been away for 3 months. I spent the first month working on Santosha on the hard & then the past two months cruising up & down the Rideau between Merrickville & Kingston. It’s been a great summer with lots of memories.
We were up early the next morning to a beautiful sunrise. Heavy mist on the water reminded us that fall is quickly approaching.
Pennie & Mike had to head back to Goderich. We had a great trip together. Be sure to come back next year for an adventure on the Trent Severn System!
Aylings Boatyard will haul Santosha out on Wednesday, September 18. Jay, “the fiberglass guy” is going to refinish the bottom for me between the 19th & 21st & then she will go into a storage shed for the winter. I will post some details & photos of that project & also about winterizing Santosha’s engine & plumbing.
Cheers!