August 7, 2011 Port Dalhousie

We used the air conditioner last night as it was so muggy outside and rain was predicted. I went down to the marina office to use the wifi as it would not work on the boat. Well, it did not work there either and another frustrated wifi user confirmed that it was not working. So, I toasted 2 complimentary bagels, spread them with butter and cream cheese and delighted Kerry when I took them back to Excalibur. She had hers finished before she even got out of bed.

We decided we would wash the boat tomorrow. Kerry planned to clean the inside today and do laundry. It appeared to be a good time for me to split, so I unfolded a bike and rode to town. It was pretty much as I remembered. Mostly there are restaurants, ice cream places and bars in town. There is also a very nice beach and park along the waterway and the $.05 carousel ride is still operating. The old Welland Canal use to come out through Dalhousie and parts of it still remain, like the old wood gate pictured.

Back at the boat, Kerry was cleaning up a storm. Lew was out scrubbing his deck. I felt I had to do something, so I switched the wires on the rear cabin fan and got it going in the correct direction.

Kerry and Gretchen took a cab to the Laundromat and also took my laptop. I rode there on my bike so I could update the blog then bike back to the marina to go fishing with Lew while the ladies finished their laundry. Lew was napping when I returned. My dock mate, Bruce, was washing his boat and we started talking about his boat and how he repaired it after buying it a year ago. As we chatted we saw Lew climbing into his dingy, ready to go fishing. I joined him full of optimism with my new pole. The closest we came to landing a fish was the one that got away from Lew, which was a decent size.

After cocktails it was time for dinner. The four of us were going out to celebrate our last dinner as a crew of 4. Starting Monday we will have additional crew (Kip) and Kevin and Jennifer all the way to Vermilion. We decided to eat at Murphy’s as the fish place Gretchen wanted to go had closed. They had a nice menus that allowed me to get a Guinness with fish and chips and Gretchen and Lew to get a more upscale lobster dinner. Kerry and I have enough left for lunch on Monday.

We walked back along the river and by the PDYC docks, which was probably a little less than a mile. It was a pleasant evening. Lew stopped at Tim Horton’s to pick up some pastries, and had one when we returned to the marina. When we returned to Excalibur, Bruce and his wife Holly, invited us over for a glass of wine. We accepted and had some interesting conversation about travel and boating with them. They are well traveled and very experienced boaters.