The delight of Tuesday was that our entire day was organised by Michael, who proved to be an excellent host and tour guide. He picked us up from the Beavermead Campground at 10 a.m. and whisked us off to a waterfront café for coffee and some very tasty baked goods. From there, he took us to the historic and impressive Hydraulic Lift Lock—one of Peterborough’s most striking landmarks and a marvel of early 20th‑century engineering. Built in 1904, it remains one of the highest hydraulic boat lifts in the world, raising vessels an astonishing 65 feet using a simple counterbalance system: two massive water‑filled chambers that glide boats up and down with elegant, almost effortless motion.
Before heading to lunch, we made a quick stop to pick up Michael’s partner—our first time meeting her, and we instantly enjoyed her company, especially as she’s a fellow Brit. Michael’s kiddos joined us for an afternoon at the Canadian Canoe Museum, a surprising little gem of a heritage museum. It houses hundreds of historic canoes, kayaks, and related artifacts, and does an excellent job of blending both Indigenous and non‑Indigenous perspectives.
We finished the day with a lovely meal at Michael’s home, a late‑1800s charmer full of quirks, character, and even a fully operational 1940s stove—and let’s not forget the wonderfully wonky stairs. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable day.
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