Day 113

The chapter for this day hasn't been written yet — it's written once the day closes.

Scenes

the dock · dawn

Low Tide Inspection

The thick mist swallows the horizon, making the sound of lapping water heavy and close. Kevin and Jenny stand over the dinghy as the tide recedes to expose the barnacle-covered pilings.

The thick mist clings to the dock as the tide recedes, allowing Kevin to inspect the structural pilings for rot. Inside the cottage, Jenny focuses on managing the damp heirloom seeds, though the high humidity slows the drying process.

🌿 Jenny23:53

The planks are soft right through, Kevin. We can't trust the weight of the dinghy there.

Kicks a rotten timber plank to watch the wood crumble away.

💭 thought

The barometer is dropping too fast; if the boat doesn't come tomorrow, we'll be out of dry fuel and salt.

🔧 Kevin23:54

Aye. Two planks, maybe three. Got the tap set on the dock already — left it yesterday. Cut at low water, bolt the new ones through the stringers, not the pilings. Pilings move.

walk to the cottage to fetch the hand saw, auger bit, and two fresh galvanized carriage bolts from the stores shelf

💭 thought

She's right about the planks. The rot goes deeper than surface — I can see the mycelium threading through the end grain. The dinghy's light enough to move by hand at low tide, but if we're stepping the mast and engine aboard, the dock needs to take the load. Two planks minimum, cut and bolted before the supply boat comes tomorrow.

🌿 Jenny23:55

I'll start de-humidifying the seeds on the stove while you cut. The air is getting too heavy.

Picks up the seed tin and heads toward the way kitchen.

💭 thought

If the boat doesn't show, I'll have to use the wayhy to reach the supply point myself.

🔧 Kevin23:56

Stove's drawing well. Damper's open. Bring the newspaper bundle too — paper between layers helps.

pick up the tap set from the dock planks, then crouch to test the second rotten plank with the auger bit, checking how deep the rot goes into the stringer

💭 thought

Good. Seeds first — damp kills viability faster than cold. She knows that. The stove'll pull moisture from the tins while I work the dock. Low tide gives us maybe two hours before the water comes back over the planks. Need to move.

🌿 Jenny23:57

I'll spread them out on the paper. If the storm hits earlier than the forecast, we might lose the grandmother's batch all anyway.

Enters the cottage and carefully lays the damp seed packets on the paper towels near the wood stove.

💭 thought

The humidity is going to ruin the germination if I don't get them near the heat. My hands are shaking again.

🔧 Kevin23:58

(quiet, to himself) Right. Cut the planks. Bolt the stringers. Step the mast. Test the Yanmar. Boat comes or it doesn't.

saw through the first rotten plank at the stringer line, letting the tide suck the sawdust clear, then move to the second plank

💭 thought

Grandmother's batch. She's thinking ahead — storm, supply boat, the lot. The barometer's rising but that northeast wind holds cold. Front moved through faster than forecast. If the boat can't make the channel tomorrow, we're on stores another ten days. Seeds, engine, dock — all of it matters.

🌿 Jenny23:59

I'm checking the barometer again. If it drops another five points before dawn, we need to secure the dinghy higher up.

Walks back to the dock to peer at the glass of the barometer.

💭 thought

He's focused on the wood, but the pressure is screaming. 1012 hPa and falling.

🔧 Kevin00:00

Upper cleats hold. I'll run a breast line to the cottage verandah post after the planks are bolted. You want the radio on for the shipping forecast at oh-six-hundred?

finish the cut on the second plank, pry both rotten sections free with the crowbar, and toss them into the dinghy to haul ashore for firewood

💭 thought

She's watching the glass closer than I am. Five points is nothing on paper but out here it's the difference between the supply boat crossing the bar and turning back. The dinghy's tied short on the stern line I spliced — if the swell picks up under northeast wind, it'll pound the transom against the pilings. Need to move it to the upper cleats, maybe run a second line to the cottage rail.

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the dock · morning

The Tide Turns

The water has started coming back in as the mist begins to lift. Kevin and Jenny meet at the dock to discuss the necessary repairs.

Kevin uses the heavy crowbar to pry up the rotting planks on the dock while the tide is low. Jenny focuses on the heirloom seed trays, checking the moisture levels of the newly sown soil.

🌿 Jenny00:01

The two middle planks are soft through, Kevin. We need to pry them out with the crowbar before the supply boat hits the dock tomorrow.

Points to the pulpy wood on the jetty and pokes it with her boot to show the decay.

💭 thought

The rotten planks are worse than they looked; if we don't fix them before the boat arrives, the dinghy will slip into the surf.

🔧 Kevin00:02

Aye. Crowbar's on the planks. Get the replacement timber from the crate behind the shed — I cut two lengths yesterday, treated the ends with creosote. Meet me at the starboard cleat.

kneel at the first rotten plank, wedge the crowbar under the board edge, and lever upward to break the nail heads free

💭 thought

She's right. The middle sections are gone — pulpy right through to the joists. If the supply boat ties up hard against this dock tomorrow, those planks will give way and we'll lose the whole midsection. Need to work fast while the tide's still low enough.

🌿 Jenny00:03

I'll get the timber. But watch out for those nails; they're rusted through and might snap right off under pressure.

Turns and walks toward the shed, stepping carefully over the slick patches of algae on the deck.

💭 thought

He actually cut the wood. I need to make sure the creosote doesn't ruin the seeds if I carry them nearby.

🔧 Kevin00:05

Heard that. I'll work the ends free first, then see what gives. Hurry back with that timber — tide's turning.

shift the crowbar to the opposite end of the plank, lever upward slowly to lift the board clear of the joists, listening for nail movement

💭 thought

Rusted nails — she's right again. If they shear, I'll have to drill them out and that eats time we don't have. Better to work the plank loose first, then deal with the fasteners.

🌿 Jenny00:05

I'm moving! Don't force it too hard or you'll tear the joist out with it.

Rushes toward the tool shed, scanning the ground for the crate.

💭 thought

The tide is moving fast. If I don't get that wood now, he'll be working waist-deep.

🔧 Kevin00:06

Not forcing. Just persuading.

ease the crowbar along the plank's length, prying incrementally at each joist crossing until the board lifts free, then set it aside on the dock edge

💭 thought

She's moving fast. Good. The joists are sound — I checked them last week — but old timber holds surprises. Let the plank come on its own time.

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the dock · midday

Clearing the Pile

Kevin stacks the removed boards while Jenny prepares to fetch more water for the seedlings.

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What changed

3 intentions for today.

plan · dawn

×2

A tool has broken from wear.

tool_break · dawn

bronze sleeve: 80%.

project · dawn

bronze sleeve: 90%.

project · morning

Found: rotten planks.

item · morning

Kevin and Jenny ate.

meal · morning

Jenny made a sketch: "Salt glands on the sea beet's leaf".

made · midday

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a Lumora Build experiment — live experiment: Kevin & Jenny think on free, open models — what they say is their own.