..as an hors d’oeuvre at Pinebox this evening. Apart from that, a few minor chores and a put-put on board Geode (with its 2.5 horse motor) over around Gray Point to the tall white pine from which a bald eagle often surveys his realm. (No eagle, just crows.)
Sunny and warm, with a strong south wind.
…in a SW breeze 13 to 15 knots. Everything shipshape and Bristol fashion, and all tasks executed smartly. Frequently moving at nearly 7!knots.
…at Purvis Fish and Chips, the latest restaurant to occupy the old Red Roof Tea Room in the pavilion in Gore Bay. Pretty good fish and chips, almost as good as Providence Bay.
On the way home, we diners (us and Pinebox contingent) stopped at the marina for ice creams. Perfect weather for such summertime activities.
…and grackles need to be added to the bird list. Right now a big swarm of grackles is moving through noisily, causing quite a commotion. Are they coming in to roost for the night?
…sail. Took Therese and her friend Chris out for a sail, scheduled some time ago in anticipation of nice weather. What we got instead was gray, chilly, and windy—from the north-east, wind coming straight into the marina. Our exit was not the most graceful, and, while the sail was fun, it was considerable work. After 3 years away from Heliotrope I am obviously a bit out of practice and somewhat out of shape. But, all that will improve.
Below, some of the cottage wildlife observed today. Kids who like slugs (perhaps the twins?) will not be bored.
…after another moderately heavy nighttime rain.
Got out on the water for a bit, after shopping, chores, a trip to the dump…and the bailing.
…in light rain and no wind. Perhaps more accurately described as docking practice and a systems check.
Engine, fresh water pump, bilge pump, radio, and chart plotter—all working. And, it felt good to be on the boat.
Later…
Pier finally finished. Better than ever, and from now on, simpler of installation and removal.
Although, 14 heavy sections will never be angel food cake. Delicious dinner at Pinebox. Perfectly timed, for which we are grateful
Cool in the shade, warm in the sun.
Native blue flag.
According to reports upper Kagawong (around the falls) intensely jammed with tourists, but no hint of that here.
Yes, the griddle is finally working, after a prolonged tussle. When you troubleshoot down to only one possible flaw, chances are good that’s the problem.
Heavy rain last night, so the forest is happy. Calm morning, designed for kayaking.
Neighborhood resident drying out from the downpour.
…so a slow and leisurely start—coffee, NY Times, Washington Post, watching rain spatter on the deck, listening to the theme and variations of rain drops on the metal roof, a little breakfast, another cup of coffee, etc.
Not long after all that the clouds started breaking up.
Eventually, we got busy, and went to the dump.
…well, not exactly. More like a day futzing with water, in this case the recalcitrant Pinebox water system.
…have arrived. And, just as we were beginning work on the water system, a loud and juicy thunderstorm rolled in and sent us scurrying.
Best rain we’ve had in months, and the only real thunderstorm of the season.
Sue outdid herself with dinner, including perfect potato salad, and this plum torte.
…among other things. Very windy and quite cool, with a brief evening shower. Village deserted, with the only action being the wind and the waves.
Sue power-washed all existing pier sections and cedar boardwalks to eliminate the slipperiness caused by forest varnish. Meanwhile, I futzed around down at the marina (dingy bailer, dingy motor), and then built the frame of the required additional pier section.
Very sweet, after a 3 year hiatus. Excellent wind, backing from SW to NW and building. A bit down in the Clapperton Channel, but 18 to 20 knots coming down the bay. Everything on the boat, including the crew, worked perfectly.
Mark enjoys these sails, especially after working on boats all the time. Good practice, and chance to learn from the experts.
…of this year. Hot day, but chilly water…which eventually felt pretty nice.
Earlier, sails bent on Heliotrope along with other preparations. Should be ready for a sail to Kagawong tomorrow.
…and all systems working.
The boat floats, the engine runs, and the masthead wind gauge even works thanks to the replacement of its propeller, which blew off years ago.
…and some grocery shopping. Taylor Sawmill, and then on to Mindemoya. Sourcing materials and doing the prep is the worst part of any project.
Daisy Fleabane
Windy and quite chilly last night. Sunny and quite warm today. Heliotrope goes in tomorrow.
This is the annoying river fly or shore fly that has been swarming the shoreline and being gobbled by gulls. Not enough gobbling, however, as plenty left to lay these crusty egg mats. I would appreciate help identifying this insect.
…finally. Beautiful weather, with enough wind to blow the bugs away; smallish projects done at a leisurely pace; time devoted to just sitting, observing, being.
Photo above of last evening, when the sun wouldn’t set. From yesterday’s calm to today’s big blow.
We seem to have, once again, settled in to a solar schedule—heading towards the haystack as night falls, and then thinking about coffee in the pre-dawn (which is way too early). But, the long days make for a lot done.
Today, we declared the boat finished and ready for launch. Also enjoyed and extended dump visit.
The heat that has been inching north across the continent arrived here today, making us glad to have done the boat work early when a light on-shore, foggy breeze kept the work bearable. We have also now re-established the hot weather house routine of staying closed up in the daytime and opening up at night.
Below, a nice patch of sensitive fern, which is sensitive to frost. At present it does not look worried.
And here, is a visitor making itself to home on the front deck.
