Where do I begin? Something fun has happened every day since I last spoke to you, leading up to yesterday, the ultimate perfect day! Last I wrote to you, we were sailing down Lake Huron. As some of you know, when you are in the Soo lock at night, you will be at the Blue Water Bridge approximately 24 hours later, and then from there, another approximately 24 hours later, you will enter the Welland Canal. Thank you to those of you who were waiting to wave from the webcam at the Blue Water Bridge. We passed under the Bridge shortly after 21h30, and although it didn't seem very late, I was already in bed. I hoped to go out and wave, and lying down while waiting seemed like a good idea at the time until I woke and we were long past the bridge. Hopefully, the timing will be good on the way back up. When I woke Friday morning, we were in the Welland Canal, but where? I looked out my forward-facing porthole, but we were lowered in the lock, and there were no distinguishing marks to indicate which lock we were in.

I guessed that we were in the flight locks, but which one? It was Lock 5

Usually, I would check my phone, but cell reception is not the best when you are on a steel ship lowered in a lock surrounded by stone walls and gates. I guess it's a little like being in a huge elevator...going down. I had to disconnect my phone from the wonderful Starlink service we have on board because I was using up too much of the 40GB data we are given per month. This Starlink system is new to me, and before getting here, I thought that 40GB was a lot because I don't download movies, but my everyday use of running my book program and such used up more of my allotted service than I realized. I am now leaving my phone on my own plan and saving the cherished high-speed internet service for my laptop. Very early Friday morning I received a message from a friend I hadn't seen in over 20 years. We sailed together in 1982 and remained friends (Do you remember when I shared with you that I rode my bike from Vancouver to Ontario in 1986? Yes, a bike, not a motorcycle. This is the friend I took that trip of a lifetime with.) The friend went on to explain that they were on a mini vacation to Niagara Falls and would love to come and say hello at Lock Three. The timing was perfect. I had an hour before I had to start preparing lunch, and we had a nice visit, exchanging stories and laughter over the ship's side. I also had a chance to say hello to a couple of ladies who were in the area ship-watching for the weekend. Lock 3 is a great place to ship watch. We continued talking until the ship was lowered, and they disappeared out of view.

It was such a treat to hear from a friend that I hadn’t seen in over 20 years. We easily fell into conversation as if we saw each other yesterday.

Getting the last few words in as they disappeared out of sight

Friday, we had clam chowder, and one person remarked that it was the best clam chowder they had ever had. This kind person had a little spare time and offered to wash the portholes in the galley. My pictures will be extra clear now. I felt really lucky. I snapped a picture of the coast guard ship in dry dock and the Famous Theodore the tug boat. Before we departed the canal, we stopped for fuel.

There was not one drop of clam chowder left at the end of the day.

We only took one truck load of this fuel. It took about an hour and then we were on our way again.

I thought it was interesting, the ship is only painted to the water line. I am assuming it’s expensive to paint a ship.

I didn't have any fish left in the freezer to make the usual Friday night's fish and chips, so I made shrimp. Not everyone likes shrimp, so I also made Italian sausages and pesto pasta and marked Italian surf and turf on the menu board. Saturday morning, I set my alarm earlier than usual so that I could go out and wave at Brockville at 06h00. I remember all the years that the ship would salute my mom and dad as we passed my hometown.

Three sisters Island just a little past Brockville. It made me smile. It is located in front of the long term care home where both my mom and dad spent their final years. I always thought it was special that there was an island named three sisters island that they could see from almost every river facing window. We are three sisters so I thought it was like we were always together with them.

Iroquois lock was shortly after 08h00, and I made some time to go and wave at a few of the people standing where I was standing two weeks ago, catching the first glimpse of the Assiniboine as she made her way upbound. There were so many birds chirping that I felt like we were passing through a bird sanctuary. I went up two decks to get a better photo of an Osprey, or as one guy referred to them as fish hawks. It was feeding time on the high nest. So far, I wasn't hitting the rivers during daylight, and I thought I would have a chance to go out in Eisenhower lock to wave hello, but it was right at lunchtime, and I had a line of hungry sailors. I filled their plates as quickly as possible, and when I saw the ship was already lowering in the lock, I asked the last two people if they would mind waiting 2 minutes while I quickly went out to wave. Sorry, I couldn't stay longer. The wheelhouse was impressed with your sign and flags. Thank you.

It was breakfast time for the little baby birds as we made our way through Iroquois Lock

The chicken vegetable stir fry that I was trying to quickly serve so that I could go out and wave at Eisenhower Lock

I hoped we would not lose too much time as we made our way to Montreal. Lorraine (my sister, best friend and publisher) was planning to visit me in Quebec City. It is almost a four hour drive one way, and her cut-off was visiting was before 18h00hs. This meant we had to clear Montreal before 04h00. I woke yesterday mornning and was delighted that we had easily cleared Montreal in the wee hours and sent a message off to Lorraine that our visit was a go. I told her I was making one of her favorites, roast lamb, and asked if she would pick up some fresh mint so that I could make a mint sauce for her. I also said I would make some mashed cauliflower. Not only was Lorraine coming in Quebec City but the groceries were coming too. We were down to the bare bones in the fridge. I used the last celery for the broccoli cheddar soup for lunch. I used the last few heads of romaine lettuce for a chicken Caesar wrap or side salad. I used two of my emergency meals that I had ready in the freezer. For lunch, I used the leftover spaghetti sauce for Beef-a-roni, and for supper, I used the leftover chicken a la king to make chicken pot pie with biscuit crumble. Since we were getting groceries, I lifted the flour ban, which was placed for essentials only, and used the remaining flour, which was just enough for Assiniboine cinnamon bun Sunday, my biscuit crumble for my chicken pot pie, and enough flour for the lamb gravy. I panicked, momentarily thinking that I forgot to save butter to make my gravy. I always start with a roux, but I found a little piece that was just enough. Lorraine arrived halfway through supper and I put her to work right away. The groceries came shortly after Lorraine got on board, and having an extra set of hands was great. After storing the groceries, we sat down for our lamb dinner. I had quickly made a mint sauce that was so delicious. I just added the fresh mint leaves to my maple dressing and emulsified it. She agreed and said she would do the same at home.

The combo plate that the crew ordered. I’ll have a bit of everything. Beef-a-Roni, tomato tart, potato skins and a side Caesar salad.

Roast Leg of Lamb with some perfect medium pieces for those who like it.

all 14 chicken pot pies with biscuit crumble were gone by the end of supper.

I was so happy to make the dock knowing that Lorraine was on her way.

Lorraine came bearing gifts, not just a bouquet of mint but also a bouquet of my mom's peonies, which neighbor Susan is caring for. I was so delighted. She brought me peonies last year to the Oakglen, and I enjoyed them so much. She also brought me the most delicious lemon blueberry grain-free loaf, which I enjoyed for my breakfast this morning, and my coffee was extra good sipping it out of a mug from a friend. She bought the mug when she read "You are where you need to be" on the mug's sides. I had retired my usual ship mug because it got a chip after five years and have not replaced it yet, so this mug was perfect. After supper, Lorraine and I reviewed the book, all 260 pages. She went through with her usual honest approach, and each time she said good, I clicked to the next page. There were a few suggestions (easy fixes), and we both felt good when we got to the end. Some details, mostly lines and sizing, still need to be fixed before sending it off for the sample printing. I am self-taught, so some of these tasks take a little longer. We both agree that you will like the new book. Here are some other meals I prepared since I last wrote you. I hope you have a lovely day. I enjoyed starting my day with you. I will keep you posted on our next stop.