SAILING BY BROCKVILLE

You know when you meet someone, start to get to know them and then discover through sharing stories that you could have met before, but just missed each other? I just came back from the galley, my morning coffee in hand. It's nice getting coffee with this second cook because she starts the pot of coffee so it is always ready when I come into the galley. I usually come in two hours before my watch starts.  I know it's not difficult to put on a pot of coffee but it is nice when it is there ready to just pour. I complimented the Second cook on her beautiful apron that she was wearing. She replied "I got it in Japan when I picked up the new ship to bring back to Canada" I couldn't believe she got that job. For those of you who have been following me for a while, you may remember me getting the call to pick up that same boat in Japan offering me the chance of a lifetime to travel to Japan. When the Union called me for that particular Chief cook job, I didn't know that there would be a second cook. I hesitated and said that I would call back in 10 minutes. I immediately called Lorraine(my sister, best friend and publisher) who was visiting my mom that fall day in 2020. They were both concerned about me making such a big voyage across the ocean but agreed it was the opportunity of a lifetime. I remember I was still sitting in the car, where I had parked to take the original call from the Thorold Union Hall eight minutes earlier. I excitedly pushed the recently incoming call # and was pleased that someone answered, it often goes to message and then they call back. I was so excited and in the milliseconds it took for him to say hello, I imagined flying to Japan and wondering what to pack for this exciting adventure. I explained that I would like to take the job and almost couldn't believe my ears when he said "too late, the job is gone!" The next person on his list accepted the job without hesitation. I am usually a very fast decision maker, but for some reason, perhaps my anxiety about flying (I have flown often but I am not particularly fond of flying, and a flight often involves a Martini or two before boarding the plane) caused me to hesitate. Also the idea of crossing the ocean, wondering if the winter crossing would be harsh. I believe I am where I am meant to be and after hearing the job was given to someone else I called Lorraine and my mom and they both shared with me that they were glad the job was gone. The second cook who is here with me on the Atlantic Huron took the second cook position to pick up the ship in Japan and said it was a wonderful experience. She said crossing the Ocean was smooth, she also added my cooking would have been well appreciated there. I thought that it was funny that we could have met three years ago. I should finish the story for you. An hour after I missed the opportunity to pick up the ship in Japan the Union called me with the relief cook job call for the Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin. I accepted the job immediately and joined the Martin for the first time in Oshawa. I ended up being where I was meant to be, and my mom would not worry about me sailing on the great lakes. Both my parents came to Canada by ship. They married in Germany the day after my mom turned 20 and then my dad came first the summer of "54" and my mom came in January "55" My dad had a rough crossing and my mom had a smooth ride. She always told the story that after arriving in Halifax, she took the train to Montreal. She thought it would be nice in Canada when she saw that the Canadians also did their laundry on Mondays and hung it out on the line to dry, something so very familiar, and comforting in the new land. My dad picked up my mom at the train in Montreal on a very cold January day and had to borrow the $11 from his landlord to pay for my mom's travelling trunk which carried her treasured items to start their new life in Canada. When my dad picked up my mom he had one week's rent paid and $2 to his name, but they were in love and starting their new lives together in Canada.

1954

My newly wed dad waiting for the train to take him to the harbor to board a ship that would take him to Canada

January 1955 my mom travelling to meet my dad in Canada

The ship that brought my mom from Germany to Canada in 1955

My mom is second from the right, she met Renate on the far right on the way to the ship and they became lifelong friends both eventually settling in Brockville not far from each other.

A true love story

My mom and dad started out in Montreal when they immigrated to Canada

As you can see I am enjoying the extra free time I have working with a second cook which allows me the time to write to you and just share my thoughts. The last two days were great. The timing in the St Lawrence river, Iroquois lock, passing Brockville, the 1000 islands was perfect and the weather could not have been more perfect. I popped out before breakfast to wave at Iroquois lock and was delighted to see multiple cars parked so early in the day. It is always fun to wave at Iroquois lock. A place that holds so many memories from numerous visits with my parents during my earlier years sailing from 1981 to 1994). I am always excited to wave at Blockhouse Island in Brockville too. I received a message from a friend who said her brother went to wave at Blockhouse and saw some people waiting to wave and he asked are you waiting to wave at Catherine and when they said "Yes" he joined the group. He mentioned an enthusiastic young person and I knew that had to be Kamden. A true ship enthusiast who I have met on several occasions and who knows more about ships at such a young age then I ever will. I could see the flag Kamden was waving and later received a photo from Kamden’s mom. I grew up in Brockville and although I moved to Quebec 29 years ago, and my dear parents no longer live there, I still consider it home and it's such a joy to wave when I pass by.

I was delighted to see so many cars out so early in the morning. I had just enough time to wave before I had to rush back in, and change to start my day in the galley

Johnstown Bridge connecting to Ogdensburg NY

Approaching Brockville

The Tall Ships Building can be seen from so far away.

I could see Kamden waving the flag from the ship. Thank you to Kamden’s mom for this beautiful photo.

I wondered if they could smell the Cinnamon buns I was making for cinnamon bun Sunday I planned an easy lunch because I planned to make Chinese dinner for supper and that always takes a lot of time. For lunch I had chicken fingers with french fries and the second choice was a tropical crispy chicken salad with mango salsa and maple mustard dressing that is in the book. Third choice was the leftover curry chick pea and sweet potatoes. I don't usually carryover a leftover from the day before but a few of the crew said "if there is left over please save it for the next day" I offered it over rice or french fries. One crew member shared with me that chickpeas are not his favorite, but they somehow tasted really good in the curry sauce. 

Tropical crispy chicken salad with mango black bean salsa and honey mustard dressing

Chickpea and sweet potato curry over French fries with a side of curried chicken rice.

Cinnamon bun Sunday, everyone’s favorite

The second cook, Nancy has not had many opportunities to pass through the 1000 islands, so I suggested we leave the final lunch cleanup and go outside to see Boldt Castle and the little Islands that we glide past so closely, you feel like you can reach out and touch them. It was such a spectacular day. The water was calm, the sun was warm. It was perfect.  As we saw the 1000 islands bridge just ahead of us we looked over and waved at Meg. I gave a warning that I would be screaming hello so cover your ears. I could hear Meg yell back. It's always fun and she is easy to spot as she waves the flag.

Nancy, the second cook and I enjoying the spectacular weather in the 1000 islands

We left the dishes in the sink and went out to enjoy the view. Just as my mother taught me, the dishes can wait.

The water was so blue

one of the smaller islands

I have been over and under this bridge numerous times and I never tire of how beautiful it is.

After a wonderful morning and afternoon playing tourist going through the seaway and 1000 islands I had one more meal to prepare and it was a busy one. Chinese food. I made steak and broccoli stir fry, pork chop suey, deconstructed egg rolls, vegetable fried rice and plain rice. I was happy when my day was done and went to bed early after the exciting day.

Catherine’s Chinese food combo plate #4

The day time passing through the 1000 islands meant a very early arrival to the canal and I woke briefly when the ship's engines got quiet as they approached Lock One around 03h30. I love to go through the canal and enjoy the familiarity of the places I have been too and thinking about past visits. I went out to take a photo at lock three and remember the book signing that we did there at the end of September. It was really fun and we enjoyed a nice dinner after at Georges restaurant just down from Lock 3. I spent quite a bit of time out on deck and had to hurry to get lunch ready in time. I made tortellini soup, Liver, onions, bacon and gravy, boiled potatoes and creamed corn. The second choice was a BLT on a double homemade roll or toast. I also offered eggs and bacon when one person went for. Actually another person ordered a fried egg, but my pan was too hot so it didn't look very appetizing. The crispy edges of the fried egg reminding me of how my dad used to love his eggs fried. I apologized to the crew member and offered to make the egg again but he said, "No, it reminds me of my wife's cooking" With the BLT I offered potato skins which I made with the leftover baked potatoes from Saturday night, just scooping out the insides, baking them till crisp and then adding cheese, and melting it. I had the toppings on the side ready to make them to order: salsa, sour cream and chopped green onions.

I was out before the sun came up. As I looked out I thought of the people who were already driving to work.

This is a special place for me. My books are in the gift shop and we had a really nice book signing there end of September. A very nice memory

You can order your Ship to Shore Chef Aprons online and Lorraine will mail them to you. Order soon so they arrive in time for Christmas

We were being held in Lock 6 waiting for a ship that was coming down from Lock 7. I like looking down the flight locks. The Tadoussac was coming up behind us in Lock 4

Here we are approaching Lock 4 of the flight locks

The Ship we were waiting for makes it way into Lock 6 and we continued on to make our way into Lock 7

Tortellini soup. It was a popular choice

After lunch which I was grateful I had ready in time, I stopped by my room to grab my vest, hat and fingerless gloves to go sit out in the sun. It was so enjoyable and I sat on the port side as we made our way out of Lock 8 and past wharf 16 where I spent the last two winters laid up on the Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin. I looked over at the ship graveyard and saw that they were busy dismantling a ship. I always find it a little sad. I looked past the ship graveyard and saw Nickel Beach. I have been there once and it is a beautiful spot and of course a great place to watch the ships approach the Port Colborne Piers and Lock 8. As we made our way through the piers, the wind picked up considerably and although I still had 15 minutes of break time left, I went inside. The wind made for a bit of a bouncy ride the rest of the day.

It was a beautiful sunny day.

I always find it a little sad sailing by the ship graveyard

I would love to tour this boat before it is dismantled. In the background is Nickel beach which I enjoyed visiting.

For supper I made meatloaf  and gravy oven home fries, buttered noodles ( I had wanted to make homemade spaetzle but I was feeling tired and knew that I should listen to what my body was telling me and decided to make store bought noodles) I also had Rainbow trout and served it with the leftover black bean, mango salsa  that I had made for the lunch the day before. I find the time is going so fast on this ship. I will write tomorrow with the meals I made yesterday and today. We will be back in the canal tomorrow during the day. These runs are fun because there is so much to see but harder to concentrate and get my work done. I remind myself that my mother always said “The dishes can wait, go out and have fun” www.shiptoshorechef.com

Lorraine (my sister, best friend and publisher will be happy to send you, your copy of the book or merchandise from the store on www.shiptoshorechef.com Order soon so it arrives in time for Christmas.