First though, we had to extricate the Ocean Alexander ( OA) from behind us, and that tiny little space that they fitted into like hand in glove.
Hats off to Craig (Dockmaster) for his skill, and the help of most of the other blokes in the marina.
Of course my camera ran out of battery half way through the whole thing, and I don't think the photos can adequately show the close confines the OA is maneuvering in. As you can see, I have the back gate open and I stood there at the stern until the boat was safely beyond our reach.
First, they brought his bow as close as possible to the right hand wall, so that he had room to get his stern out. He wasn't using his stern thruster at this stage...not sure why! Too much else going on?
They asked Waz to help hold the bow (that's him on the far right) as the Captain finally engaged his thrusters (on Craigs instructions) and swung the stern out. This starb'd side of their boat was literally two feet from the stern of ours...I put fenders out, but they weren't needed. Much skill was needed to back this baby out of her little hole. We were told a 37fter was coming into the same spot, later in the day. Ok..thats easy! BUT...it turned out to be another 47fter! sheesh. Their stern is behind us, which makes it easier for them to go out, I believe.
Nothing like a bit of excitement to get the old heart going, first thing in the morning:)
That over, our bikes came off the back deck where we have kept them chained up for the past two weeks, and we rode over the bridge towards 'town' to see if we could procure, by some means, a Mobile Internet Device. We have a Verizon JetPak right now which has been great, but it costs us $80 per month for the use of 10gb! Our phones are on Roaming at this stage, so don't call us!!lol. or better still...don't expect us to call YOU! Mega dollars for those roaming charges.
Our biggest problem is the internet use or lack, thereof. After visiting Bell and Rogers, where we drew a blank each time, we were instructed to go around the corner to The Source, who would surely be able to help us...How come none of these companies knows what the other is doing???
We went around the corner as instructed, and were told at The Source that they did have the device we sought, because they had none in stock. We asked them to call the nearest branch to see if there was one in stock there. Bellview is only a 20 min. cab ride away. Yes!! they had 2, so we put our name on one, having been assured, after telling our story yet again, that they could sell us this device.
We came back to the boat (biking) and asked for rates for the cab ride to Bellview Mall. $24 each way, we were told. Hmm...OK! Booked the cab for 1pm (it was now noon) and we took an hour to cool off and get a few chores done before setting out in a very dirty (in and out) cab driven by a 72 yr old (emphasis on the old) man who proceeded to tell us (me in the front seat per usual) his life story...We learned about his gambling/casino habit and that after 50 yrs he and his wife have little to say to each other without arguing (really? How had they lasted so long?) ..so it was a rather long trip, with no airconditioning, so the windows were down and making a racket, so I had to strain the hear what he was saying, coz he kept looking out his own window while talking...you get the picture!!! I have to remember that I have a sense of humour and the ridiculous, at moments such as these...Waz, of course, sat quietly in the back seat, wishing that the man would shut up:)
We arrived at the Mall, and of course The Source shop was at the other end of the Mall...(Murphy('s law) was at work here!!!). Half way to the store we found a Sushi shop...I detoured, and Waz rushed on to The Source...our Taxi was still waiting for us! I bought enough sushi for lunch. We have been a bit deprived, lately. Yes, I make it, but don't have all the ingredients, always.
At The Source...yes they have the device, and yes they can sell it to us...let us just put all your info into the computer and you are out of here...NOT!
They get to the part where the computer rejects our credit card, and we don't have a Canada address, Driver's license or other ID. Now, tell me this.....How can we purchase a PRE-PAID device, and they still need all that information?? THis means they have our money already, so they don't have to employ the Royal Canadian Mounties to chase us for payment. It appears that they KNEW they couldn't sell it to us without a Canadian address et al.! Bah!
So, it was a very expensive ($60 incl. tip) Taxi ride and fast walk through the Mall for our Sushi! Sheesh. We are not happy people. We NEED to have internet, and we don't always want to go into Marina's to get it. Well folks, you will be getting less blogs until we have internet connections through being docked in a Marina. Simple as that.
I forgot to say that we had two walks yesterday. This photo was taken from the far end of the bridge, looking back, of course. We are the tallest white thing in the marina! It isn't a large Marina but we are stacked in there, as I have said. Im glad we aren't on the outside on the river, coz right now, it is VERY choppy (sunday pm)
We are backed onto the Town Park, which is very pretty, and just down the street (main street) a bit further is this large tower with the gorgeous old doors. Plenty of metal 'notes' on the doors, so we took the time to read a few.
We were rather amused by this piece of rope, in the middle of the door frame. No idea what might have hung there, but it definitely isn't very decorative!
Further up the main drag is this older style building with these shop fronts as a façade. Not pretty!
Around the block is the Trent Port Museum...we didn't go in...but appreciated the stone walls
The park behind us is in full bloom. There was a musical performance here on Friday night, which we enjoyed...old timers music which was a lot better than any heavy metal that COULD have been being played. We are grateful!!
We are on our way back to the boat, Saturday, when I asked to stop and take some photos from across the bay from the Marina. Our bikes are fantastic, and we are glad we made the purchase, after much hemming and hawing.
Included in these locks is what is known as the Marine Railway, and Two 'Bath-tub' Locks, which have no sides. You are literally being raised up in a tub of water! Fun!!:) The Marine Railway, lifts the whole boat in a sling and goes over the top of the highway on two railway tracks. Don't worry, we will take plenty of photos when the time comes:)
After our morning bike tour and then Mall trip for nought, we settled down to some chores...Waz inside doing research for the next phase of our trip, and me out shining the stainless steel. I need to move when Im thinking, so it was a perfect chore for me. Along came various people to chat and I enjoyed the companionship, even if it did keep me from my chore.
I arranged with Connie from one of the other Looper boats, to go to dinner...and she sought the opinion of the other Loopers in the marina. They all gathered to go to the Italian Restaurant just down the road, when we joined them around 6.30pm.
With a large group of 9 to accommodate, it was a good half hour to wait for tables to be set up for us...then, along came Susan and John, another couple we had met in Delaware City, long time ago (or so it seemed). That made us a group of 11, now. No matter, we sat outside alongside the river and listened to a musician, in the square. Most enjoyable, and it gave us all a little time to reconnect with each other and enjoy the sunshine.
I am happy to report that the meal was delicious, even though Waz's steak with veg and mashed was cold when he got it. He didn't feel inclined to send it back, so just ate it cold.
We are a happy group, and this was just our (Waz and Mine) second group meal on the entire trip. The first was the night we arrived in Tarpon Springs, having just crossed the Gulf of Mexico with 6 other boats.
It is always fun to hear each other's stories and how we came to be where we are and what criteria we used to buy our respective boats etc. We all have stories of Locks, Docks, Marina, personnel at the same, good times, bad times and trials and tribulations...not being the same as the good and bad times, you understand!:)
After the meal and we all departed the restaurant, Waz and I set off for our evening constitutional per usual. We happened upon a very nice and new Liquor store, and decided to go and see what Kiwi Wines are being imported into this part of Canada (Ontario). These two we recognized! Some are marketed under different labels than those we find at home.
This Cloudy Bay wine was expensive at $31.95 per bottle!...Canadian dollars, which is almost on par with he US Greenback, right now.
We arrived back at the boat around 9.30pm, and watched a lovely movie on Netflix, which we hadn't done for a long time. This one (cant remember the name, sorry!!) was set in London (briefly) and the Tuscany Hills (Italy). It was in the Comedy category, but should really have been in the Drama Category...It was fun, dramatic, gorgeous countryside and visuals/light and the dialog was well written. We enjoyed it!
We woke this morning to rain. Bummer! It has rained on and off all day, but no matter, as we are sitting tight today. We have another night paid for, in the marina, so we don't have to move until tomorrow.
The others in the group are also planning to leave in the morning...I guess that depends on the weather, largely, but a bit of rain didn't hurt anyone. It is just annoying and wet! Wet means slippery, on the boat, so we have to take extra care.
We went out, just before lunch, to get our remaining groceries, and to have another look around the supermarket.
We splurged!!! One Pain chocolate (chocolate croissant) each, One Pain au Raisin each (not super sweet like in the USA..really FRENCH!) and a container with three Macaroons, in it...on special, being a day old:) The last of the sugar!!!! I guess we will have the latter for dessert, because we have already eaten the croissants for lunch!
We had some raspberries and strawberries to eat for breakfast, so I decided to saute them with a banana in a little knob of butter, in the frying pan. No sugar required! I made a large omelet and divided it, and spooned the berry mix over the top...sweet omelet! Fantastic! it was delicious.
We purchased some more of both berries, so we wont go without. In fact, we have eaten both kinds of berries all year!
Time for me to do some clean up ready for tomorrow, whenever we decided to leave the dock. I think we are only going 24 miles tomorrow, so we have half a day to sit around twiddling our thumbs, beforehand.
Ciao for now. Cooking on the boat, tonight...Italian Sausage with a large salad! Yum!
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