A Second Overnight at Lakefield Lock 26
44°25’11.2080″N, 78°16’14.1852″W
What3Words: ///conga.caring.secretly

We decided to spend another night at Lakefield. This is a very quiet and pretty spot plus the ability to connect to shore power for a very reasonable cost ($10/day) is another incentive.

I spent some more time working on the blog and then shifted over to doing some research on navigation software for the laptop that can utilize Navionics brand charts. When I first started travelling aboard our Nauticat motorsailer “Ananda” I discovered a marine navigation software program from Norway called “TIKI Navigator”. It was relatively inexpensive and used Navionics charts. It was also very simple to understand and to make the most of what it had to offer.

TIKI Navionics Gold – Marine Navigation Software

I used TIKI from 2010 until 2022 when we sold Santosha. Their website is still active so I purchased new Navionics charts and then tried to buy a licensed version of TIKI Navigator – but there is something wrong with their website and also with the person/people who operate it. I can download a trial copy of the software and the website accepts payment for a license, but then they don’t follow up on the purchase and send a license/activation code. I tried several times to reach them but have had no success. Fortunately PayPal has refunded our money so now we will have to find an alternative software.

Catherine went for a walk into the village of Lakefield to check things out and then she spent some more time working on the Sunbrella window coverings. The front windows of the boat are oddly shaped and it’s tricky trying to set up a pattern to work from. This is also something that is difficult to work on unless you are at the boat. It’s fine to take all kinds of measurements and then work on the coverings at home – but because of all the odd shapes and the fact that the window frames protrude almost an inch from the window glass – that makes measuring and cutting that much more complicated. Oh well, I am confident that she will get it done nicely. When she is sewing I try to stay out of the way and be supportive. When I am working on the engines the roles are reversed! Pink and blue jobs!

Belisama’s front window coverings – angles and protrusions everywhere!

Catherine told me that she found a very nice café in the village that is within easy walking distance from the boat – even for me! We will go there tomorrow morning for coffee and a light breakfast before casting off.

Catherine also found several beautiful heritage homes and lovely gardens in the village – including the home of Canadian author Margaret Laurence. She lived in Lakefield from the early 1970’s until her death in 1987. If you look closely at the photo you will see to the right of front porch a stone angel in the garden, as homage to her iconic work “The Stone Angel.”

Margaret Laurence’s House in Lakefield – click anywhere in the image to enlarge it

Tomorrow we head for Young’s Point or Burleigh Falls – final decision not made quite yet. Our summer cruise is coming to an end. That makes us a bit sad but we are also looking forward to getting back home, sleeping in our own bed, having a shower in a bathroom that hasn’t been used by dozens before us and to not have to worry about fuel tanks and toilet tank pump outs.

Cheers!