Day 323

Shim's tight at the toe. Want eyes on the mortise before the water covers it again.

Crouch at the north piling, scrape marine growth from the shim face with the nail puller, sight along the copper plate and oak wedge for movement or fresh rot.

Aye. South side next.

Walk the dock to the south piling, crouch at the waterline, probe the timber with the nail puller tip, checking for soft spots and measuring any movement at the shim.

Splinter's loose. I'll nip it off before it breaks free and cuts deeper.

Reach with the nail puller, grip the splinter at the base, and twist it cleanly out of the piling, then feel the wood beneath for give or crumble.

First ebb. I'll be here.

Wipe the nail puller clean on a rag, tuck it into the belt loop, and walk back toward the cottage with Jenny, favoring the sound planks.

Fire needs feeding. I'll get wood while you set the pot.

Turn toward the woodshed, grab the axe from the block, and split two armfuls of dry spruce from the rack, stacking them beside the stove door.

I'll check the shim real quick—be back before they overcook.

walk to the north piling at low tide mark, inspect the shim and surrounding wood for movement or rot, return to cottage when done.

Kevin — walk to the dock, crouch at the north piling where the shim was driven, feel for movement with my hand on the piling base while the tide laps at it, check the shim's position and the wood above for fresh rot.

Shim's holding. Rot's tracking higher though.

return to the cottage, step onto the porch, pull the door shut behind me.

Kevin — walk to the dock mooring ring, crouch down, grip the ring and try to shift it side to side and up and down, feel for play in the mortise, check the oak wedges and bronze sleeve for movement or splitting.

Kevin — walk back toward the cottage, checking the garden tarp corners as I pass

Kevin — climb the steps to the cottage porch, wipe boots on the mat, push the door open

Smells good.

hang the oilskin on the peg, pull out the chair opposite her, sit down

Limpets done?

Walk into the kitchen, lift the pot off the wood stove, set it on the trivet.

They're always stubborn. That's why they're still there.

Pull two chipped enamel mugs from the shelf, wipe the rims with a thumb, set them on the table. Spoon limpets into each — three, four, five per mug. Push one toward her.

You resting it later?

Pick up my own mug, blow across the hot limpets, eat one slow. Watch the steam curl up between us.

Aerial's been iffy. Might need to wiggle the connection at the mast base.

Finish the limpets, set the empty mug down. Wipe fingers on a rag. Walk to the radio shelf, flip the power switch. The tubes glow amber.

Boat due tomorrow, but I'll keep the radio on just in case it's early. You want tea or just rest?

walk to the radio shelf, turn the shortwave to the supply boat frequency, and listen for any sign of approach while Jenny eats.

Tea's on. I'll put the kettle on the stove. After, I'll take the dinghy out for a quick engine check — just to be sure she's ready if we need to move fast.

fill the kettle with rainwater from the tank, set it on the wood stove, and while it heats, grab the oars and walk down to the dock to untie the dinghy.

Just a quick run up and back. Test the prop under load. Won't leave the channel.

untie the dinghy's stern line, step in, ship the oars, and row out to clear water before dropping the throttle to test the Yanmar at half, then three-quarter throttle.

Kevin — walk to the dock with the bronze sleeve, oak wedges, mallet, and penetrating oil. Work loose the corroded bolts on the mooring ring just enough to shift it, then drive the bronze sleeve into the mortise with the mallet, seating it deep and

You should be in bed.

Wipe the penetrating oil from my hands on a rag, set the mallet down on the dock planking, and turn toward the cottage without pressing her to go back inside.