Overnight the heavens opened, but, suitably liquored up, we slept well. It was a bit worrying since wind and rain would not be ideal for stepping the mast. But, after Environment Canada’s live weather report calling for wind and 70%
chance of thunderstorms all day, the skies cleared and the wind dropped to nothing to give us a glorious sunny, wind-free day! At about 0930, Prozac was shifted to the crane berth where we started unlashing the mast and boom. True to their word, Peter C and Greg arrived with Carl’s son, Jack, who will stay aboard for the remainder of our voyage down the seaway. Jane decided against a visit since it was rather pointless to sit around watching the mast-work. Just as well since we never did fully bull up the boat.
We had to wait for the marina’s craneman, but it was probably just as well, since the final unlashings and preparations on deck took a little longer than expected. With Greg, Peter C and Carl getting to work on deck, ably assisted by the new crewhand, Peter J and Theyre decided their most valuable contribution would be to bugger off and replenish the ship’s stores, severely depleted last night! Peter’s car was purloined – very nice if you’re used to a diesel, which of course by now we are!
The nearest LCBO stocked the finest selection of English ales, so Prozac is now – temporarily – stocked with Old Speckled Hen, Boddingtons and Tetley’s – and some damn good Creemore for the new crewman. We three Limey’s think we’ve died and gone to heaven!
Mast-stepping commenced about 1100 and the shore assistance was extremely competent. By noon, Prozac was back at her berth for the final connections. As we have become accustomed to, Greg and Peter worked diligently doing all the deck connections whilst Carl did the tricky work of reconnecting the confusing electrics. Peter J, Jack and Theyre watched, occasionally checking old photos to compare a ‘before and after’.
At about 1600, all was done – the rigging complete, the bimini in place and even the flag hoisted and we bade farewell again to our heroes, Greg and Peter C. Since it was too late to reach our next planned destination, Gananoque, it was decided to just sail to Kingston Marina, right downtown, where laundry services were available and restaurants and pubs close by. En route, the crew were embarrassed to receive a call from Greg and Peter, travelling home, to tell us that we had a fender hanging off the port bow, spotted from the highway! Are we professional or what?
Right at the entrance to the marina Peter immediately spotted those words so dear to him, “Old Speckled Hen”! There it was, our dream pub. Although it had an unpronounceable Gaelic name, it was English to the core. Carl and Theyre salivated over copious pints of Marston’s Pedigree and Peter… well, what do you think?
A beer-mat flipping contest ensued followed by a spoof for the bill, which the writer is delighted to report that Jack lost. We dined at another pub then returned for a quick nightcap of Marston’s and OSH, but not too late, because ETD tomorrow is 0400 hours if we have any chance of reaching Crysler Marina in Morrisburg to give us a chance to get to PCYC on Wednesday.
Captain's note: We owe a huge vote of thanks to Peter Charron and Greg Mant for driving all the way from Montreal to help us to re-step the mast. With Peter J injured and faced with the complexity of the task, having both practical Greg and practical Peter C to help work out what went where was a Godsend. It was a significant sacrifice of their time without which we may well have ended up returning to PCYC with the mast still lying on the deck.