Port Dover

(Tues Aug 16 - Dist: 52.7 mi; Avg Speed: 18.9 mph; TTT: 2:50 mph)

Port Dover Harbour Marina

The morning looked decent at Port Colborne but the Weather Network readings for Port Dover had the winds at 31 km/hr.  It did not make sense so we called the marina and sure enough there was no wind, the flags were limp.  We had a bit of a late start but up on plane the trip was quick and smooth. 

We signed up for 3 nights and then stopped by Giles Marine to speak to the diesel mechanic there.  We have a fuel leak on the starboard engine that has been with us for a couple of months now.  The mechanic in Baltimore thought that it was the fuel filter because it had a bit of a kink on the lip of the filter.  As it turned out that was not the problem.  It was not much of a leak so I thought that I would wait and have Cummins in Detroit look at the problem after our return.  Unfortunately, after the run on Lake Ontario and the excessive idling for 9 hours through the Canal, the leak was now worse.  Ray Giles immediately came over to the boat and spent about 45 minutes trying to locate the source of the problem.  He was not having any luck but when I started the engine he discovered that injector #4 was leaking,  It was in a very hard to get place so he said he would be back the next day with a bunch of tools because the only way to get at the injector was to remove some other components.  Well he and his assistant came back the next day and fixed the problem.  The injector and the return fuel line were loose.  It took them a little less than an hour.   When I went to pay the bill, I could not believe what he charged ....  $80.  Go figure, the best mechanic charges the least. 

After the mechanic located the leak on that first day, actually the first 90 minutes of our arrival, we headed up the hill and across the Lynn River to town.  It was a neat town with lots of shops and bars / restaurants and it was busy.  There were lots of people everywhere.  We had our lunch at the Erie Beach Hotel on Dino's recommendation and had the fried perch.  OMG another best that I have ever had.  Sorry, my Windsor friends, Duffy's does not hold a candle to the perch and fries at the Erie Hotel.  We are going to go again.

After lunch we wandered around town for a bit and then headed for the beach.  Excellent!  The beach was packed with bikinis, at least that is what I noticed.  Linda said the she could hardly see any sand, it was that crowded.  The photo above is actually taken after 5 PM on our second visit to our now favourite spot at Callahan's Beach House.  

Mnay people have already left for the day.  We were not dressed in our beach attire so we found a primo seat on the balcony of a bar overlooking the beach.  The drafts and scenery were good.  Come supper time we ordered some dessert, mocha cheesecake, to take back and climbed back over the hill to the marina.  On the way by the office Linda signed us up for a week.  There is a summer festival this weekend which she would like to partake in.  I guess we are now on vacation.  It was a good day and promises to provide many more.  We will be here until at least next Tuesday morning, who knows maybe even longer.  Why there are even palm trees here in Ontario.