Day 439

Starting on the crown side. Step back.

notch the upper compression face of the spruce trunk with the bow saw, working the cut slow to read the wood movement

Hinge first. Then the back cut. You want the wedge?

cut a clean hinge on the fall side, leaving enough holding wood to steer the trunk clear of the stone basin

Tap it slow. Let the wood talk.

hand her the felling wedge and maul, then finish the back cut from the crown side while she drives the wedge to control the fall

Kevin — find a sturdy branch or rock to use as a fulcrum, position it under the spruce trunk near the root plate, then re-rig the come-along to pull from the opposite direction to roll the log sideways off the path.

Got a rag or a bit of hose? Chafe guard on the bite.

Wrap a strip of canvas or old rope around the come-along cable where it bites the spruce bark, then take the strain slow, watching the cable lay. Step clear to the side before each heave.

Thanks.

Wrap the scrap canvas around the cable at the choke, bind it tight with the twine, then take up the slack on the come-along slow. Plant my feet wide, body well clear of the snap zone, and give it a steady pull.

Mm.

Crank the come-along one notch at a time, pausing between each to watch the root plate and listen for cracking roots. Keep my stance braced on the uphill side, ready to jump clear if the trunk kicks.

Coming free. Stand clear downhill.

Give the come-along two more deliberate cranks, holding tension between each, then step back fast to the uphill side and watch the trunk roll.

Blade's in the tool roll. Take the come-along — I'll wedge and cut.

pull bow saw blade from tool roll and hand it to Jenny; kneel at the trunk's crown where the tension's highest; start the first relief cut through the compression side, sawdust spraying wet onto boots

Hook's set when the cable sings. Talk to me.

pause saw in the kerf, wipe sweat from eyes with forearm; watch the come-along cable for the first true tension, listening for the wood's complaint

Driving it. Hold.

grab the iron wedge and three-pound sledge from the tool roll; set wedge in the saw kerf at the trunk's belly; swing three measured blows, feeling the wood fibres separate, the gap yawn; step back as the cable snaps tight with a low groan

Cut clean. I'm clear.

step back two paces, boots planted on the uphill side; keep the sledge ready in case the wedge needs driving deeper; watch the kerf widen, the trunk shudder

Going to need the come-along on the butt end once I cut the crown free. You good here?

walk back to the cottage to fetch the bow saw, come-along, and axe

Yeah. Cutting the crown first, then the butt. Won't touch the tension limb till the weight's off.

grab the bow saw, come-along, and axe from the porch and walk back to the spring path

Crown to butt. Then the springer. Then the root plate. I know the order.

set the come-along anchor on the standing spruce uphill, run the line to the fallen trunk's butt, and start the first cut on the crown branches with the bow saw

Snubber on the line. I'll ease it.

saw through the first crown branch, letting the weight settle onto the come-along slowly, then ratchet the tension off before the next cut

Tin's heavier than it looks. I'll take it.

take the seed tin from Jenny and start down the ridge at her pace, scanning the path for loose stone

I've got the tin. You watch the footing.

walk a half-step behind her on the descent, boot tested on each wet rock before committing weight, free hand ready at her elbow

The big root by the spring basin moved yesterday. Come-along held it. But if the saturation deepens...

keep pace, scanning the slope above the path for fresh soil disturbance or cracked root mats

Screen's clear as of this morning. Overflow pipe's seated. Silt trap needs the last clean-out before dark.

reach the cottage porch, set the seed tin on the bench under the eaves, turn to check the barometer through the window

Sit. I'll get the broth and the dose. Then the trap.

go inside, light the stove, set the kettle on for limpet broth, pull the metronidazole blister from the first aid kit

One pinch, not a handful.

add a pinch of sea salt to the pot, stir, and keep the flame low.

Broth's coming up. Swallow the tablet with it.

pour hot broth into a tin mug, set it on the porch rail to cool a degree, hold out the metronidazole tablet between thumb and forefinger

On it.

walk to the kitchen window, press a hand to the sill feeling for the draft, grab the putty knife and tin of glazing compound from the shelf, work fresh putty into the gap along the bottom pane and smooth it with the knife blade, wipe the ex

Thin. Just seating it.

scrape back the excess putty with the knife edge, leaving a clean bevel against the frame, run a fingertip along the seal to check for gaps, set the knife and tin aside on the counter.

Crack the door.

reach for the stove door latch, lift and set it on the first catch so the door sits ajar an inch, feel the immediate pull of cold air across the floorboards, turn back to the window and press the putty bevel once more with a thumb.