Oct 29

At 6:30 our neighbours rudely awoke us in order that we could all cast off and make for the next lock. These guys must be nuts I thought. The lock does not open until 9:00 and it should take less than 1 hour to get there. But once you are up, you are up so off we went.

It turned out to be a good thing we got the early start. Part way there, we encountered a tree that had fallen across the canal, blocking the path. We got out the jig-saw, fired up the generator and took the ends of several limbs off the tree. This created enough of a path that we and 3 other boats could fit through. The wine that evening was on them!!

We discovered the other good reason for our early departure when they locked us through at 8:00 AM instead of the advertised 9:00. This was when we found out our clocks were out by 1 hour.

Again, the canal was very beautiful. It was full of floating weeds, however, which did not bother our outboard but repeatedly clogged the cooling water intake filter of a Gemini 105 Catamaran.

Note the house for the Superintendent of the Canal. Is this an indication that they do not pay civil servants very well here or is this a relic from days gone bye?

Elizabeth City has a very charming tradition of hosting wine and cheese parties at 4:30 PM for visiting boaters. It has free docks and reasonably close shopping – especially if you have a bicycle. It is highly recommended.

Beverley used this opportunity to buy a sewing machine. Her painting is getting better and better. She is now able to do one of her other hobbies as we travel along.

We got one of the last spots at the dock, just fitting between an end wall and the boat behind us. Our new friends on Autumn Borne rafted up.

Beverley did much of the steering through the canal and seemed to be really getting into the trip.