Brewerton NY-Oswego-Sackets Harbor-Clayton-Kingston ON-Picton-Belleville ON (214 miles)
With TOSCA safely stored indoors at Winter Harbor, near Syracuse NY, we set off on a six-week side adventure over Christmas - a circle Pacific trip from Vancouver via the Cook Islands, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Viet Nam and Japan, returning to Vancouver.
In New Zealand, we went jet-boating up the Dart River, near Queenstown, then kayaked back down the river - great, energetic trip.
In New Zealand, we went jet-boating up the Dart River, near Queenstown, then kayaked back down the river - great, energetic trip.
A couple of days in Sydney to visit relatives. Here, Rowland's niece Bridget and her husband Des.
Sydney is one of our favourite cities, with a spectacular harbour. My cousin lives on the waterfront in an amazing setting, right across from the centre of the city.
Then on to Hobart, where we went for a walk on the beach on Christmas Day.
Lunch at Richmond, with Rowland's niece Maree and brother-in-law Bob.
After Christmas, we drove from Melbourne to Adelaide, via the Great Ocean Road. A helicopter flight over the Twelve Apostles was spectacular.
Then a few days at The Louise in the Barossa Valley, sampling the wonderful wines. The Barossa is the birth place of the famous Penfolds Grange. The 2008 Grange was awarded a perfect score of 100 by Robert Parker and we were amazed to note on our return that it is almost $200 a bottle cheaper in Calgary than it is in Australia!
We hope to return to the Barossa.
We hope to return to the Barossa.
From Adelaide, it was on to Singapore, where we sampled the delights of the famous Newton Circus outdoor food market - a brave step for Alex!
Next stop Viet Nam and an overnight cruise in the amazing Halong Bay.
Then a few days in Ho Chi Minh City (still called Saigon by the locals) in the beautiful Majestic Hotel (which proudly proclaimed that "Catherine Deneuve slept here," during the filming of Indochine).
On to Kyoto and Tokyo, where we had a chance encounter with a friendly Sumo wrestler in the subway.
And where I showed off my "Gatsby" pink linen jacket that I'd had tailored on the way through Saigon. Lunch at the Tokyo restaurant of our favourite chef in the whole world, Joel Robuchon.
So, we hadn't exactly been idle before returning to Brewerton in late May to continue our Loop. TOSCA was already in the water waiting for us. We spent a few days provisioning, even a new mattress and bed spread!
We did very well sampling the local restaurant scene, including another DDD, Pastabilities in Syracuse, and Copper Top.
We did very well sampling the local restaurant scene, including another DDD, Pastabilities in Syracuse, and Copper Top.
We threw off the lines and set out on Leg #7 on Thursday, June 5, 2014.
We left the Erie Canal and headed for Oswego NY, located where the Oswego River enters Lake Ontario.
A couple of days in Oswego, getting things shipshape and noting that someone's always got a bigger one!
More pleasant dining at "Alex's On The Water", which was conveniently located next to our slip. We also found a wonderful breakfast at Wade's Diner, worthy of entry into the DDD list.
Into Lake Ontario, which sure is big - no land in sight!
And even when we saw the shore, it wasn't always pretty - another nuclear power plant.
Soon we were in the St. Lawrence Seaway and lots of big time commercial traffic.
Next stop, Sackets Harbor, a very picturesque little town that we learned was the naval headquarters for the American Great Lakes naval fleet during the War of 1812.
We seem to have quite a nose for finding great eating places along the way! Here we dine al fresco at Tin Pan Galley.
We seem to have quite a nose for finding great eating places along the way! Here we dine al fresco at Tin Pan Galley.
Clayton, our last stop in the U.S. before heading into Canada.
No alcohol allowed whenever we're underway, but no restrictions in port. Besides, we had to make sure we didn't have more than the allowable limit on board when entering Canada!
We had to be on our toes through the Thousand Islands, where some of the channels are quite narrow, although well-marked.
Past many beautiful holiday homes.
Alex later complained that she was too busy navigating on the Ipad to notice the view!
We officially entered Canada in Kingston ON on Monday, June 9 and cleared customs over the phone. We think the customs agent must have been a new summer student - when she asked if we had anything to declare and we said "a boat," her initial response was: "Oh, please hold. I'll be right back!"
We stayed several days in Kingston, during which we enjoyed a great visit with our friends Dave and Liz Mullan.
We were also treated to a private tour of the Royal Military College, guided by the Principal Emeritus of the College, John Scott Cowan. John is a walking encyclopaedia of military history, and in particular the War of 1812 - he had a quite different spin from the impression you get in Sackets Harbor!
As we left Kingston on Saturday, June 14, we passed the infamous Kingston Penitentiary. Somewhat incongruously, there is a yacht club right next door - cruel and unusual punishment if the inmates can see it from their cells!
Our next stop was Picton, which turned out to be one of those unexpected gems. A beautiful protected harbour.
And lo and behold, more fine dining nearby, at the classic Merrill Inn.
On to Belleville, where we spent a few days on routine maintenance and took the opportunity to launch the dinghy. Not an easy task, which we certainly wouldn't want to have to attempt in any sort of an abandon ship situation!
But it floats and the motor works - we'll need it when we get to the Georgian Bay and the North Channel.
A final hose down and it was back to Calgary for a couple of weeks.
With the end of Leg 7, we now have more than 2300 miles under our keel. We will leave Belleville for the Trent Severn Waterway on Saturday, July 5. Next destination Chicago, via Georgian Bay and Lake Michigan, by Labour Day weekend.
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