First Few Days On The CSL Laurentien
Day 4 on the CSL Laurentien (Louis R.) I am sitting at my desk recounting the days and double-checking the calendar. Is it really possible that I am already starting day 4? The first few days always go very fast as I try to find my way around the galley. I shared with you yesterday that my original internet voucher did not work, but the replacement voucher is doing its job, and I am connected to the world again. This morning we are in the Welland Canal. When I woke up this morning, I listened to see if we were moving and checked Marine Traffic. For those of you who are not aware, you can go on www.marinetraffic.com enter the name of the ship I am on and it will give you the location. I am on the CSL Laurnetien, not to be mistaken with the St Laurent. It is a free app if you just want the basics.) We have actually been in the canal since yesterday morning and sat in Lock One from 11am until sometime throughout the night. Everything was stopped due to high wind gusts. It was a sunny, beautiful and very windy day. Spring is further along in St Catharine’s, Ontario than my hometown of Mont Tremblant, Quebec and it was totally opposite to the cold rainy day when I joined the ship in Quebec City just a few days ago. After lunch I took the opportunity to sit outside on the bench and enjoy the warm summer-like day. It was wonderful. There is a walking path by Lock One and I thought about the times I walked on that same path. In a few weeks when tree buds open up to lush green leaves the path will be hidden. However, yesterday I could see quite a bit of the path and the benches. The intoxicating smell of spring came in gusts of warm air.
We sat in Lock one for just over 12 hours. I sat outside after lunch and each gust of warm wind brought the intoxication smell of spring.
My phone alarm rang at 14h25 a reminder that it was time to go back to the galley to get supper started. I leave this 14h25 alarm on even if I am not sailing. It's fun when I am off the ship, the alarm rings and I think I don't have to get back to work. I can continue the activity I am doing. Yesterday, I smiled when the alarm rang and could hear Lorraine's voice and laughter, stating the obvious of the last two months when we were together. "It's 2:25 You don't have to get back to work." Following was written Sunday morning. Good morning! I just wanted to drop in quickly before I start my first day on the CSL Laurentien (Louis R). I was so excited when the job called. Since I returned to sailing in 2019, I secretly hoped each time a job was offered that it would be the CSL Laurentien, which to me will always be the Louis R Desmarais. When a ship has a major overhaul, they are renamed and after a new body was attached to the Louis R, it was renamed CSL Laurentien. The accommodations, galley and after house are all the same so for me it was like coming home. The job was originally called for April 20th, but there were delays and yesterday (the 26th) was finally the day.
I always print and take along a logbook when I join a ship. There are 90 days in it so I can take it with me to three 30 day relief jobs. I knew in advance that this job could be as much as 100 days so I had to add a few pages to my logbook file I took the opportunity to also add a title page. We often print at Staples and were so pleased that this machine had the feature to punch holes. That saved us a lot of time. I like starting with clean pages and making the first entry.
. In my imagination of joining after 31 years, I painted a picture in my head of a beautiful day and climbing up the ladder in excitement to get reacquainted with an old friend... There are a few ways to drive to Quebec City and we drove south of the St Lawrence River and crossed over the Quebec bridge to the north shore. I have sailed under this bridge many times, and it is always exciting because, when you are downbound, not long after you pass under the bridge, you can see Quebec City and the Chateau Frontenac perched high on the cliff. It's beautiful to see, especially at night with all the lights of the city. I have visited many times by ship and by car and it is like a mini trip to Europe without having to cross the ocean. We had packed a picnic lunch (using new wraps that I discovered). We picked a beautiful spot to park on the south shore and watch for the ship to come into sight. Lorraine (my sister, best friend, and publisher) pointed out a ship in the distance, and I looked at Marine Traffic to compare its location and said excitedly, "There she is." We ate our delicious wraps that had copious amounts of mayo, Dijon, ham, pepper-crusted turkey, cheese and lettuce. Lorraine doesn't normally eat cheese but for this special picnic lunch she enjoyed the flavorful cheese on her wrap too. We shared a bag of our favorite Siete almond flour tortilla chips. Grain Free Tortilla Chips We looked for the progress that the ship should be making and then realized the ship in the far distance was in fact sailing away from Quebec, not to Quebec. I checked Marine traffic more carefully and realized the Laurentien (Louis R) had already passed our picnic spot, and the ship we were watching in the distance was, in fact, another favorite, the RT Hon Paul J Martin on her way to Hamilton. We laughed at the novice mistake and after finishing up our delicious picnic lunch made our way to the Port of Quebec gate entrance.
If it was a nice sunny day we would have come earlier to take some time to walk through and explore the old part of Quebec City that lies just behind the archway. It’s so beautiful!
It almost looks like a black and white photo on the grey overcast rainy day. Behind the walls and archway are cobble stone streets lined with old colorful buildings, restaurants, little fun boutiques and lots of history.
The dock is very close to the old sector of Quebec City. The famous Chateau Frontenac can easily been seen from the ship. We made a left hand turn at the Arret (Stop) sign and the guard gate was insight just down the road.
We had been tracking the Laurentien (Louis R) since we left our picnic spot so we knew we would have a little wait. All ships take a tug to assist in making the dock and leaving the dock in the Port of Quebec.
I am an optimist by nature so I was sure the predicted rain would stop when I would need to get out of the car to join the ship. We were told to park and wait for a security escort to take me down to section 53 where I would be reunited with my old friend, the Louis R. The nice guard at the gate apologized that we would have to wait about an hour. They were only two working and we came during their dinner break. We understood. About 90 minutes after our arrival the security car pulled up beside us and like checking into a fancy hotel, they helped transfer my heavy luggage with ease and a smile. I waved goodbye to Lorraine and she set out for the 3 1/2 hour drive home to Tremblant. The security driver was so nice and we chatted as he drove. Somewhere between arriving at the gate and getting to the ship the gale force wind picked up and the rain came down. The kind driver took out my luggage while I steadied myself against the strong wind. Normally I take photos but I had to concentrate on the task at hand, getting up the ladder. The spray of the waves came over the dock. It was nasty weather, not at all the picture I had painted in my head of meeting up with my old friend the, Louis R. The driver was so kind and helpful. Instead of wheeling, he carried my heavy luggage to the basket so that the wheels would not be caked with wet red ore dust. I laughed when the crane operator, after the two suit cases were loaded, looked for the ok to start to raise the basket of luggage. I motioned, no, there's more. I had four pieces, my laptop and all was in a knapsack and in a large cooler bag where I had packed some items that I knew would not be on the ship but would make my meals more tasty. I saw my luggage go up and felt a relief that my luggage was safe. Now my turn. I am not afraid of the ladder, but I respect it immensely and always take my time. One deckhand climbed down to help me secure my safety harness and I was on my way, one step at a time. I thought to myself there were probably an extra 5 or 6 ladder rungs to climb because of the 90 minute wait at the gate. On arrival, the ship had already started to unload, so she was rising up out of the water. When I reached the top of the ladder I took a moment before stepping over to the little platform that had stairs to the ship's deck. There was someone there to spot me and in seconds I was onboard. The cook I am relieving and the second cook had already finished serving supper and were waiting for the groceries to come. I offered to help but they said they were fine and I should take the time to make my bed and unpack my bags. I went to the cooks room not needing to ask for directions because I slept there for 5 years from 1989 to 1994. The room had been redone but it was still familiar. The bottom right hand corner of my laptop screen indicates that I should finish talking to you and get ready for my first day. I feel good, there is an indescribable joyful feeling running through me. We finished unloading while I slept and we are on our way. Have a wonderful day. Mine is off to a very good start.
The wind was so strong and the rain that was falling sideways broke into my picture moment and said put away your phone/camera it’s going to blow out of your hand, so this is the only photo I took before logic took over. As I look at this picture, it doesn’t look like what I have described. It looks quiet, the road not depicting the slick layer of wet red ore dust a far cry from the reality of the whipping wind, rain, water spray coming over the dock and muddy red iron ore dust. Sometimes the phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words” might need a few extra words.
It is now Monday morning. I haven't received my internet coupon yet, so I didn't get a chance to send it to you yesterday. My first day went well. The regular cook and second cook have worked together for five years, so I am finding a place in a well-oiled machine. The crew are very nice and I felt very welcome. A few came up and said "I sailed with you in the past." It was fun to see them again. All day I looked for things that would spark a memory, but what I realized was that the ships I have been on in the past that resemble this ship (the Rt Hon Paul J Martin, Atlantic Huron, CSL Niagara, Assiniboine) already evoked so many memories of the first time I sailed so many years ago. The Rt Hon Paul J Martin was the first self-unloader I sailed on when I returned to sailing in 2019. I'm starting to think that is why I have such an attachment to the Martin.) It is still so nice to be here and imagine a younger me, walking down the hallways. (My step was quicker then, no limp from the ankle I broke 14 years ago.) I took a little walk around the stern after supper. I had wanted to take a walk on deck after supper, but the first day was long and I thought there is time to walk in the upcoming months. I am excited to start my second day. Each day will be easier as I find my routine and my place. Have a great day. This was when I entered the first internet voucher and tried to post. I was trying to ride off my phone but nothing would load so now with my new voucher already activated, here we are, up to date and ready to start another great day. I looked out my porthole earlier and in the distance, I see the Rt Hon. Paul J. Martin. We are in the flight locks and she is in Lock 7. She is also on her way to Superior to load. I wish you all a lovely day and thank you for spending a few moments of your day with me. It's my favorite time of the day, writing to you and having the opportunity to realize and appreciate how lucky I am to share my adventures, the food I make and a job I love. I had difficulty loading all the photos from my phone (which I don’t have connected to the ships internet. I have to budget my internet use because the 40GB for 30 days goes quickly, so I am just posting this morning. Here is what I see out my window this morning. We are stopping for fuel and I hope if the timing is good I can wave at the Blue Water Bridge. Enjoy your day.
After sitting in Lock one for almost 12 hours due to high winds, we started to follow the Rt Hon Paul J Martin through the canal again.
You might notice on my stories that I often make Italian sausages for my first lunch onboard. It’s fast and easy. I usually make homemade buns and homemade tomato sauce at the same time.
There was a beautiful smoked ham in the fridge (I appreciate that this cook does not freeze her hams.) This is another quick easy meal. The other cook also had some potatoes peeled in a bucket of water so making scalloped potatoes went extra fast with not having to peel the potatoes myself. Cauliflower and cheese sauce always goes perfectly with ham. I made a honey mustard sauce and would have added pineapple but they were not ripe enough.
With the leftover ham I made sandwiches on homemade buns the next day. I think homemade bread makes a sandwich even better
Another choice when I served the ham sandwich was a hamburger pinwheel stuffed with spinach and mozzarella. I was so excited when the day after I served the pinwheels, someone asked if there were any leftover? They really liked them.
The ham made another appearance as Ham and broccoli patties with a maple mustard dressing. The other choice was curried Lamb
The cook had defrosted diced lamb so I made a lamb curry. I usually make it with leftover roast leg of lamb and was worried the diced raw lamb might make my curry greasy but it came out very nice and smelled delicious. Making Curry here brought back a memory from when I was here early 90’s and she was the Louis R. A fun deckhand with a great sense of humor would walk in the galley and ask what is that god awful smell? Are you making Curry? I can smell it mid ship walking back aft. I am laughing when I recall this memory and you know when you read this I am talking about you Chester. It was so much fun sailing with you. I was so happy to receive your message the other day. You were a great supporter when the young me (26 years old) starting my first Chief Cook job. Thanks again for being such a great co-worker/friend.
I have been over and under this bridge so many times. It’s so close to home (Brockville, I don’t live there any longer and our parents live in heaven now but I still call Brockville home) Iroquois is also very special because mom and dad used to come and visit as the ship transited the lock. I went out to wave at the people watching the ship lock through.
Supper was just finished being served and I went out to take a moment and think of all the times I passed on the ship and would wave at mom and dad in their waterfront condo. Happy memories. I would have like to stay up for the 1000 islands but I go to bed fairly early and hope the next trip is early in the day.
For lunch I made pork chop suey with vegetable rice and roasted eggplant.
When a crew member compliments my homemade bread I say if you eat it I will make it every day. The roast beef sandwich was a second choice and I also offered fried eggs and rice, even more popular than the fried egg sandwich. For supper we had meatloaf gravy, mashed potatoes and roasted carrots. I opened the new bag of carrots and was disappointed that they didn’t have much flavor. I almost felt like I had to apologize to the opened bag of oversized carrots that I chose the pretty carrots from the new bag thinking they would be better/sweeter…they were not.
Looking out my window today. We are stopping for fuel and hope the timing is good to wave at the Blue Water Bridge.
This is how every job starts. Lorraine drives me to the ship.
We have books in stock and Lorraine will happily mail them to you. She also mailed books to the Toledo Museum. Yesterday she met with Rebecca from the Little Book store in Clayton, NY and handed over enough books to replenish her shelves. Today she is dropping off books at the St Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Center located at Lock 3 Click on the link below to see the stores that have the books available.
Shop In Store — Ship To Shore | Chef Catherine Schmuck | Author, Entrepreneur & Cook | Canada