Oct 22, 2014 | Flotsam
I’m not really sure I can call it a ‘hack’
is exactly as it was meant to be used.
We have it installed both port and starboard from bow to stern.
It offers so much in the way of organized storage.
At times 40 ° heeling and not once has anything fallen.
…this one is actually a folding dish drainer
but we use it to mount our DVD player for movies in bed.
Now that all our gear has been removed,
I found yet another use for the rails…
..boat hooks, spreaders and stern mast roller extensions…
…fenders and fender holders.
Jun 10, 2020 | Flotsam
Greetings all of you ‘Covidiens’. How are you doing with your respective lives in isolation? Here in our little piece of East Coast paradise we are coping quite nicely, thank you. It’s certainly not perfect but we are beginning to see a tiny bit of light on our horizon….beautiful welcoming orange morning light.
Francois has found a new passion. Torching stuff. He builds it then he burns it. It’s an ancient Japanese method of treating wood called shou-sugi-ban to preserve wood by scorching the cuticle of the wood to seal and protect it. For a brief video of his method click here IMG_1331.
He built a lovely bridge to span the incoming stream at Duck Pond and finished it with this method. Burning with a propane torch then lovingly rubbing every square inch of it with linseed oil. The process became a neighbourhood curiosity. One neighbour dropped by (socially distanced of course) and ask what the heck he was doing. She had been watching the build process from her home across the road but when the propane tank and torch came out her curiosity got the better of her.
Bridge over Calm Waters
One early morning, I looked out our bedroom window and saw our friend Fred perched on the bridge, bright red umbrella and fishing pole in hand. He’s quite a quirky character, always bringing a smile.
Old Becomes New Again
Francois also used the same burning method on our outdoor furniture transforming each piece from Ikea tan to rich Asian black tea. Quite a striking difference!
Papa’s Bridge
My daughter and son-in-law, loved the bridge so much that they asked if Francois could build one for them too. She ordered the materials, had them delivered and paid for his services with virtual hugs and free beer. Not a bad deal.
For Hugs and Beer
Speaking of hugs, Mother’s Day came and went. My daughter parked down the lane near the shore so we wouldn’t see her car, then the three of them toddled up the hill. Her four-year-old asked if he wore his mask and held his breath, could he give Gramma a hug. However heart-breaking, the answer was ‘no’ but I will remember the moment forever.
Mother’s Day Surprise
Nature continues on its spring journey oblivious to what’s happening in the world. Grass is green and lush. Birds are choosing partners and homes for their future families. Swallow Condo has at least three tenants now and from time to time we can see little heads poking out. I love sitting on the deck with my early morning coffee watching them dance and soar, listening to their happy song.
Swallow Condo
Francois has started a relocation program for some of our visitors. Monsieur and Madame Marmotte (our groundhog couple) are now several kilometres away, repositioned in a much less populated area. And Rocky Racoon and his Missus – the true Covid mascots, with masks and incessant hand-washing – have been deposited deep in the forest as well.
Uninvited Guests
Our gardens too have come to life. The tulips Francois planted last fall are in their full glory. The seventy-five bulbs from Holland commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Netherlands’ liberation following the end of World War II….a sea of beautiful orange blossoms.
Liberation 75
We both are enjoying our Crow’s Nest, planting seeds and watching them poke through the soil in the heat of the day. In the past I’ve bought seedlings from local green houses but with so many restrictions in place this year we’ve opted for online/no-contact seed and other supply buying from a company in Halifax. Mostly everything grew, surprisingly, considering it was our first time gardening on this scale.
Francois was quite proud to pose for you in the warmth of the ‘shed’ holding a flat of healthy greens for Naked Gardening Day.
My (almost) Naked Gardener
Four weeks ago Nova Scotia entered phase one of loosening restrictions. We celebrated with lobster, cooked and prepared at the world famous Shore Club. Paid in advance and pick-up time-slot assigned, deliciousness placed contact-free in the trunk of our car. Each year they host a Mother’s Day Celebration with a seafood feast. Three seatings, each sold out well in advance…but these are not normal times and we were more than happy to support their modified event in the comfort of our own home
Shore Club Lobster
The best part of this phase-one of isolation relaxing was the hugs. Hugs upon hugs upon a million hugs. A day spent with our ‘bubble’ family…and those million hugs…was the best therapy I could ever have asked for.
Healing Hugs
Papa Hugs
How to Calm a Wildling
Now that our provincial beaches are open I can begin to make use of my birthday gift. I’m not very stable yet so the 14 knot cross winds made me nervous….yes, she who has no problem heeling at 30 degrees in a storm can’t handle a puff of wind in a few feet of water. I will persist. Francois was a champion though. Even a tumble into the frigid water didn’t phase his at all.
Trial Run
Sad little RED sits patiently in the driveway, winter cover removed, waiting for whatever summer months might bring. We’re not sure when she will be splashed but lobster season is now over in our south shore area with traps removed so it might be soon. I remain hopeful.
Soon
So now you are up to date. As you can see our ‘day to day’ is not quite so ‘day to day’ as the ‘groundhog day effect’ might suggest. There is more than enough variety to bring us pleasure. We’re loving the simpler slower pared down version of our previous life and hope its continues. The other day, Francois mused that after isolation is lifted he would like us to remain isolated. Some things may have to change in order for that to happen – like being able to say ‘no’ more often. But we have time yet to work on that.
Thanks for stopping by. We love it when you do, keeping connected in this rather disconnected way.
Oct 31, 2016 | Flotsam
Well, here we are again, at the end of another boating season…our fourth in fact. Each year though, it gets less and less depressing putting R.E.D. to rest for the winter. We’ve developed a good system that works well for us and the routine has become a familiar part of the changing seasons.
We’ve been asked many general and some specific questions about how we prepare our lady for the ‘off’ months so I’ll try to detail the steps.
By the time we are hauled out, the mast is down, sails have been removed and checked and packed away in their sail bags. We remove all rigging…all. It may seem a bit extreme to some but it doesn’t take that much more time and it gives us a chance to check all the bits and pieces for wear. Each year we’ve found at least one bolt needing replacing and this year the genoa furling line and topping lift will need to be replaced. (Story from last year here)
Our sailing base is in fresh water so issues with rusting is not usually a huge problem but for the past two years R.E.D. has had her belly dipped in salt water for several weeks at a time so this year there was some extra polishing of the stainless rails to be done.
Rigging
Once all the lines have been removed, they are taken home to be washed (past story here)
Giving the boat a thorough going over also means we can identify any needed repairs. We, or rather I, found a couple of uncharted rocks this summer and although there was minimal damage the dagger board has been removed and the dings will have to be fixed. I see it as an opportunity to learn how to fibre glass. How’s that for a positive attitude? (the year we had a minor repair done here and no, I wasn’t at the helm that time but in Captain’s defence it was during a bloody big storm)
Motor Maintenance
This year ‘my’ motor was due for its 300 hour maintenance servicing so we took a short trip to the Evinrude dealer for an eTec spa appointment. That amazing little internal computer told the detailed story of the past four years.
Once back at the club, we focused on the rest. The anchor and engine wells are cleaned out, dried and run through with antifreeze as is the galley sink and head (make sure to use an alcohol-free solution. Past story here). Just in case of water infiltration we plug the holes in both the engine and anchor wells with a small cork. This year we also put a piece of screen mesh over the ballast opening to keep out any curious critters. The gas tanks are winterized with a fuel stabilizer. Inside and out we treat all electrical and other metal fittings with a silicone-based spray.
All non essentials are removed from inside : galley gear, bedding, personal items, tools (except those needed for a few final chores). We have found the Ikea rails have been a great help to hang and store post season (story here)
The two batteries are removed each year, brought home and placed on an intelligent charger.
I’ve used to use Kanberra gel pots in the bilges each year to offset any chance of mold and related odours developing but I find it pricey so this year I’m trying something different: two terra cotta diffusers and tea tree oil. The clean fresh aroma is pleasant and as we frequently visit R.E.D.during the winter months I can refil from time to time. Will see how it goes.
Interior
We are still using our PVC ‘igloo’. With the mast support extensions still installed it gives a great angle to keep snow from accumulating on the tarp, still the original from four years ago. There are a few rubbed areas which we have reinforced with red tuck tape (that’s tuck not duck – made in Canada, eh?). We tried using tarp patches last year but possibly because of the cold and damp they came off but this red sheathing housewrap tape will not budge. Past story here.
Exterior
I guess to some this may seem like a lot of work. It takes us a good two days to complete but as I mentioned above it’s now a routine. We care about making sure our little chalet-on-the-water is well maintained. Our club seems to have that same mentality. Each boat is hauled out with great care and now that they are all placed for the winter months, the process of removing docks is underway.
This one last sunset image will have to keep us going for a while. We come back to visit R.E.D. from time to time to tighten the tarp lines and dust off the snow and to talk to her so she doesn’t feel too lonely. She’s in good company though surrounded by all her boat friends.
We really enjoyed having you along for another spectacular season. Our posts may not be as frequent as we hunker down for the upcoming Canadian winter but from time to time check back for updates on the ‘home’ front…
