Day 209

Lines look tight. If the swell kicks up tonight, we’ll know if they hold.

Walk to the cottage, grab the fuel line spool and wrenches, head back to the Yanmar.

Fire'll take wet wood if you feed it slow. I'll check the tank vent while I'm at it.

Crouch at the Yanmar, pull the old fuel line off the filter housing, start threading new line in a clean arc above the waterline.

Wouldn't dream of it.

Wrap a clean rag around the tank vent nipple, tape it down with self-amalgamating, then finish routing the new fuel line—up and over the stringer, clear of the bilge, into the filter housing.

Got a tin of corned beef fat if you want flavor in the broth.

Crack the filter bleed screw, work the hand primer until diesel runs clear, snug it down, then hit the starter.

Sounds good. Engine's clean. I'll give it ten minutes, then take the dinghy out past the reef and back—proper sea trial.

Wipe hands on a rag, watch the temp gauge climb, listen for any miss at idle.

Kevin — walk to the pantry, check the trap — empty again — then reset it with a fresh strip of corned beef fat. After, fill the kettle and set it on the stove to boil water for limpets.

Thanks. I’ll get the fire going.

Split a few sticks of dry kindling and lay them in the stove, then strike a match. Once the flame catches, I add a small log and shut the door to let it draw.

I’ll bank it when it’s down to embers. For now, let it roar — limpets need a hard boil.

Stir the limpets gently with a wooden spoon, watching for the shells to start opening. When the first ones crack, I’ll lift the lid just enough to let the steam vent.

Kevin — route new fuel line from tank to Yanmar filter, looping above high tide mark and securing with copper clips.

Kevin — prime the Yanmar fuel system and attempt to start the engine on the dinghy.

Kevin — run the Yanmar engine at half throttle for five minutes to confirm steady operation.

I'll check the gutters and run a overflow line to the south bed. Won't let it go to waste.

walk to the back of the cottage, inspect the guttering for blockages, then run a length of spare hose from the downspout to the garden's lowest corner, securing it with rocks and tying off the end to a stake to direct flow into the soil.

I'll lay a gravel filter where the hose hits the ground — spread it out so it soaks in slow. And I'll check the wall for cracks as I go.

dig a shallow trench at the hose outlet, fill it with small stones from the path, lay the hose over it so water seeps through gently, then walk along the garden wall with my hand on the stones, feeling for any loose or cracked sections, esp

I'll get the tarps on the garden beds. You got the trays?

grab the heavy-duty tarp roll from the porch and head for the garden

Got it. Weighting the edges with rocks and line.

unroll the tarp over the tomato rows and secure the corners with heavy stones from the garden wall, then run rope through the grommets and tie off to the wall brackets

Midpoints too. Windward side gets double line.

run a second rope across the windward edge through the middle grommets, pull it drum-tight, and stake it to the garden wall; check the leeward corners are weighted flat with stones

Right behind you.

walk up the porch steps, shake off water at the door, and step inside the cottage

Hanging them by the stove.

peel off the soaked shirt and trousers, hang them on the drying line strung near the wood stove, and pull on dry trousers from the pile by the bed

Kevin — strip the last wet layer off the limpets in the pot, pull the kettle off the stove before it boils dry, set two bowls on the table.

Aye. Harder this time. Might flood the low path to the spring.

Push the limpets toward her, wipe my hands on my trousers, stand up and walk to the back wall to check the rain tank's inlet screen for leaves.

Porch shelf's full. Seeds drying.

Turn from the tank, walk to the porch door, pull it open a hand's width to look at the stacked trays and the tarp bundle.