We headed out early to set up for the Peterborough Lift Lock but had to get through Lock 20 first. We were the first boats to lock 20 so planning sometimes works. After locking through we went through the swing bridge and slowly approached the lift lock through the canal with a park on one side and road on the other. It was a cloudy breezy morning and it was only us and Beachside locking through. We had to wait about 40 minutes for what looks like a large bathtub to fill up and the gate to drop to allow us in. As we approached the lock you could hear the attendant on a loud speaker giving directions. The voice was very familiar and it was apparent that it was Sarah from Coconuts followed by Edie from Brand New Day. They convinced the operator to allow them in the control room and direct us through the locking procedures. After the long wait and anticipation it was like a holiday meal. A lot of work for 5 minute event. The lift was quite smooth and quick. We were emptied into the upper canal and it was off to continue the Trent Severn Lock System passing the Lift Lock Golf Club then through the Warsaw Bridge and into downtown Peterborough. We wound through the city center passing the trent University with many new modern architectural buildings.
We had six more locks for a total of only 15 NM. There were tight channels and beautiful homes along the way. Again the locks were very well maintained each with their own personality created by the lock staff.We arrived at the Youngs Point Upper Lock Wall by 1500 hrs. where we had to negotiate our way into a slip where a small pontoon boat had to be moved along with a 30 foot cruiser, both of which took up more space that they needed.
Youngs Point is a small town and as usual not much was open. We walked to the Lockside Trading store which did have ice cream. We took a long walk over the Youngs Point Bridge that was built in 1884 and is one of the oldest bridges on the Trent. We spent the rest of the evening on the boat watching others passing through the lock.
