Long days....

Long days – sort of

Leaving M’ville we traveled all of 6 miles to Burritt’s Rapids for a stop at the quiet floating docks behind the lock. This long trip actually took almost four hours since it included four locks – (and we had already dropped the three in Merrickville!) The time was not in the cruising but in waiting and locking through along this narrow stretch of the canal.  Fortunately it is also some of the most picturesque river we have seen yet. Because of the narrow waterway, we waited after the Clowes lock for the boats coming up to enter the lock before we started down. Then, we waited again for the next crowd locking up to clear at Upper Nicholson by which time the crowds behind us caught up  - making it a puzzle process to get boats into the lock. Thankfully everyone was cheerful and accommodating resulting in a jolly, safe if snug journey.  All the boats pulled into the docks with us for their lunch break and when they departed our friends on L’Escargot arrived for the evening. It pays to not be in a hurry to make miles on a weekend or during the peak vacation period! Watching the boats lock up and down is as entertaining for us as the many tourists who throng the parks around the locks. We are grateful that the lock tenders are expert boat wranglers as well as master gardeners – all contributing to the joys of the Rideau experience. 

After the afternoon rain cleared we wandered down the tip to tip trail for a look at the hamlet of Burritt's Lock with its many restored vintage 1850s homes. 

 church - still a church