Chaffey's Lock on the Rideau Canal

 Chaffey's Lock on the Rideau Canal

At the risk of repetition, we visited another local Lock today - just 20 minutes from where we are staying. 

Chaffey's Lock is a charming area, which is a strong attraction for tourists - either by boat or road. We had visited this spot on our previous sit, here, in the Fall of 2022. The vistas were different than the full experience of an Ontario Fall, but the verdant freshness of late Springtime afforded another perspective. 

Apart from the lock itself, the area is resplendent with lake views and blended buildings surrounding the Opinicon Pub and Restaurant, which started off as a fishing lodge, over 150 years ago. Now used for functions such as weddings, reunions, and other events, it fully earns its reputation as the Beating Heart of Chaffey's Lock. 

The Opinicon Pub and Restaurant

Timing, as we always discover, is of the essence, and this proved true today. We had seen locks functioning before, but we witnessed something new to us in our experience of the workings of a canal. 

We watched the lower lock open, but no boat emerged. We waited and waited, then noticed that the road bridge was beginning to swing around and we guessed that the boat in the chamber itself must have had a tall mast. Finally, we saw it proceed, gliding gracefully through the open doors and passing us by on its way to the next lake beyond. 

Afterwards, we took a leisurely stroll to both ends of the lock and enjoyed the stunning views of the boathouses above the lock, and the view out to the lake from the lock.

We saw this guy with his seadoo

The Lockmaster's House - now a museum

We think this may have been the original mill

Prior to this, upon our arrival, we visited the ice cream shop where we purchased a latte. We took them down by the lakeside to enjoy the peace and quiet of the surrounding scenery and relaxed in the gentle, warm breeze. 

The Ice Cream Store

While getting the coffee, Mark noticed a couple of posters mentioning Jeremy Hansen. (He is the Canadian astronaut who recently circled the moon with three American colleagues). Apparently, he has a cottage in this area and they named an ice cream flavour after him - with a nod to the famous quote from the movie, 'Apollo 13'. (Houston - we have a problem)!

Jeremy Henson - Canadian astronaut who recently circled the moon on Artemis II, in April, 2026.

We were hoping that he might have been visiting the locks, today, but we were unable to manifest that experience!!!

Needless to say, we are thoroughly enjoying this house/pet sit, with so many beautiful places to visit in the vicinity.