Day 260

On it. Help me lift — it’s heavier than it looks.

walk to the porch table, grab the heirloom seed tin wrapped in cloth, lift it with Jenny, carry it inside the cottage, and place it on the kitchen shelf away from the window and rain.

Putting it by the stove now. Should stay dry in there.

place the heirloom seed tin on the kitchen shelf near the wood stove, then step back to let Jenny check the tank.

Kevin — walk down to the dock to inspect the mooring ring and dinghy lines

Got the bolts in the workshop. Doubler plate's already cut. Let me secure the dinghy lines first, then drive the bolts at low water if the tide drops. If not, I'll work from the dinghy.

check the dinghy's stern and spring lines at the dock, then head to the workshop for the 150mm stainless through-bolts and steel doubler plate

On it. Lines first, then the fix.

run to the dock, check the dinghy's stern line and forward spring line for chafe and tension, then sprint to the workshop for the 150mm stainless through-bolts and steel doubler plate

Kevin — walk to the dinghy at the dock, untie the stern line, and push off to test the Yanmar under load at slack tide.

Kevin — walk back onto the porch, pull the rusted seed tin from my pocket, and set it on the table. Pry the lid with the screwdriver blade.

Kevin — sort the heirloom seed packets — spread the damp ones on the rack by the stove, transfer the dry ones to the heirloom tin, and wipe the tin clean with a rag.

How many?

Lean against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching her sort.

I’ll check the overflow pipe. If it’s clogged, we’ll lose the lot.

walk to the back of the cottage, kneel by the rain tank, and inspect the overflow pipe for blockages, clearing any debris with my fingers.

Tank’s holding. Overflow’s flowing. But if it keeps up, we’ll need to run a line to the garden — save the excess.

stand, wipe my hands on my trousers, and walk to the garden shed to fetch a length of hose and a funnel, then return to the tank to set up a temporary diversion into the swale behind the beans.

Then let’s not fight the water. Let’s use it. Come help me flush the salt from the dinghy’s bilge — it’s been sitting since the last blow, and the strainer’s clogged.

walk to the dinghy at the dock, kneel by the stern drain plug, and begin loosening it with the wrench while I call back to Jenny to bring the bucket and the hose from the tank overflow.

I’ll keep them dry. Just focus on getting the plug loose — I don’t want to strip it.

continue working the drain plug with the wrench, applying steady pressure to break it free without damaging the threads, while I watch for Jenny approaching with the seeds held close to her chest.

Almost got it. One more turn.

finish unscrewing the drain plug by hand, lift it clear, and let the bilge water begin to drain into the bucket Jenny brought, then set the plug aside on the dry gunwale to keep it clean.

Overflow's backing up. I'll clear the pipe—keep the stove fed, would you?

Grab the crowbar from the porch and head out into the rain, boots sinking into the softened earth as I make for the tank's overflow pipe.

Step's noted. Thanks for the fire—smell of wood smoke'll be a welcome change from wet wool.

Jam the crowbar into the silt-choked overflow opening, using my weight and leverage to jerk it loose in short, hard bursts, spraying mud and rainwater as I work to clear the blockage.

Won't overdo it. Just need this plug to break.

Drive the crowbar deeper into the overflow, twisting and prying with controlled force, feeling for the moment the compacted silt gives way and water surges through.

Almost there—feel it loosening.

Put full weight behind the crowbar, using a sharp, upward heave to break the silt plug loose, then step back as a rush of dark water and mud erupts from the overflow, clearing the pipe and dropping the tank level fast.

I’ll clear the overflow pipe first, then check the seeds. Don’t want the tank bursting and flooding the garden.

walk to the back of the cottage, grab the spade from leaning against the garden wall, and dig out the overflow pipe’s outlet where it’s clogged with mud and debris, clearing it so water can flow freely away from the tank and garden.

Won’t be long.

clear the overflow pipe outlet with the spade, scraping away mud and stones until water runs clean and fast, then walk back to the cottage porch, boots heavy with muck, and knock them against the step before stepping inside.

Barometer’s low. Staying in. I’ll finish Tom’s letter now.

take off my wet jacket and boots near the door, wipe my hands on a rag, then walk to the radio shelf, pull out the folded letter to Tom, and sit at the kitchen table with the notebook and a pen to write the rest of it.