Waterford

August 28, 2016

Arrived Waterford this afternoon, after many, many locks, one of which I had a bit of trouble in.  Went for the wrong rope with the boat pole and tried to hang on, wrenching my arm trying not to lose the  pole (lost it anyway).  Ouch, but Wallace was able to maneuver so I could retrieve it.

Power on the docks ($10 flat rate), no extra dockage fee, showers and hose bibs. Laundromat within walking distance (laundry done).  Also a grocery store within walking distance that will let you take the cart back to the boat, so a good place to stock up on the heavy items (done!)

Around Waterford

Our chuckle for the day

Shortly after we arrived a catamaran was being towed in.  It was Malama Honua on its worldwide voyage from Hawaii.  This boat is equipped with sails only, no power and no nav. equipment. Its mission is to "bring attention to climate and ecology to inspire a global movement to care for the earth".  They are on their way to Ontario next and then returning to Hawaii in June after being gone for a year.  A crew of about a dozen men and  woman are on board with crew changes about every 30 to 60 days. They all sleep in the gunnels under the canvas tent like structure.

More excitement, Violet an old Scottish fishing boat built in Fraserburgh pulled in next to us.  She is now a sail boat and no longer has the pilot house, however Wallace was thrilled to have a look on board and share stories of his grandfather's fishing boat built at the same time and place as Violet. Unfortunately we didn't get a picture, they left too early.  Maybe we will see them again as they are headed the same way and move pretty slowly.

Also housed at this dock is Onrust, a replica of Captain Adriaen Block's 17th century dutch trading ship built with authentic Dutch shipbuilding methods.  It serves as a museum and hosts tours for students.