Day 519

Cleat’s holding. I’ll run a second turn around the bitt just in case the surge picks up.

walk to the cleat, take the mooring line’s bitter end, wrap it once more around the bitt in a figure-eight, pull tight, and secure with a clove hitch. Then return to the dock edge and watch the line’s tension as the tide lifts the pilings.

Here’s the gauze. Let me know if you want it tighter or looser.

reach into the first aid kit on the bench, pull out the clean gauze roll, and place it gently in Jenny’s open palm, then step back slightly to give her space to work.

It looks snug. Let it breathe a minute before you put the sock on.

stay where I am, hands loose at my sides, watching her finish the wrap without speaking, ready to pass the antibiotic cream if she asks for it.

Tide’s up to the third piling now. If it keeps this pace, it’ll be under the deck boards in twenty minutes.

remain standing beside the bench, shoulders relaxed, eyes on the water where it meets the wood, waiting for her to speak or move.

Want me to mix up another poultice? The mint and sea beet mix from yesterday’s still in the jar.

stay where I am, not moving toward the cottage unless she answers, just listening to the rain on the roof and the soft scrape of her pencil on paper.

Jenny, wait. Let me come with you. I'll take the weight.

walk up to the spring, grab the crowbar, then hurry to the dock to inspect the mooring ring and pilings as water laps the underside of the boards.

I'm on it. Tell me if it shifts under your weight.

step carefully onto the jetty, avoiding the softest planks, and press down on the dock near the mooring ring to test for movement while watching the pilings and the ring's mortise.

I see it. I'm going to reinforce the ring—hold the lines steady if you can.

pull the oak wedges and steel doubler plate from the workshop, then drive the wedges tight into the mooring ring mortise while bolting the doubler plate over the ring with the through-bolts to lock it against the piling.

I'm sistering the piling—greenheart on the outside. Hold the rope; I'll take the strain off the ring.

fetch a greenheart plank from the storm lashings stack, cut it to length with the bow saw, then bolt it alongside the damaged piling using the longer stainless through-bolts and washers to create a sister that bears the load the rotting woo

I'm drilling first—pilot holes, then bolts. Doubler plate goes on to spread the load.

drill pilot holes through the greenheart sister and into the piling using the brace and bit, then install the steel doubler plate over the mooring ring, driving the four 150mm stainless through-bolts with washers and nyloc nuts, tightening

Kevin — set a second snap trap baited with flour paste near the sack. Check the first trap — still set?

Kevin — sweep flour crumbs off the shelf into a bowl. Seal the sack with fresh self-amalgamating tape, wrap it twice. Wipe the shelf with a damp rag — no scent trail.

Kevin — hang the crowbar back by the door. Take the notebook to the table and sketch the trap placement — simple lines, so I remember what worked if we ever get more.

I’ll go with you. Let me grab the lantern and test the tank level while you prep the poultice.

walk into cottage, grab storm lantern from shelf, light it, return to porch, hand lantern to Jenny, then walk to rain tank, tap side to estimate water level, check overflow trench for blockage, return to porch.

Overflow’s clear for now, but the water’s rising fast—I’ll rig a temporary bypass if it starts to back up.

walk to overflow trench, inspect grate and pipe for debris, clear any loose stones or seaweed with gloved hand, test flow by pouring bucket of water into inlet, confirm drainage, return to porch, hand Jenny the mortar pestle to help crush l

I’ll watch the bypass from here. Shout if it starts to back up—I’ll be right there.

sit on porch step facing overflow trench, keep storm lantern lit on knee, monitor water level in trench and flow rate, watch for backing or slow drainage, keep one hand on lantern, other ready to move.

I’m right here. If it starts to burn or feel worse, tell me—I’ll take it off and we’ll try the gauze soak.

stay seated on porch step, keep eyes on Jenny’s ankle as she applies poultice, watch for any reaction—swelling, discoloration, her breathing—keep lantern ready, remain silent but alert, hand near the clean gauze and water basin in case need

I’ve got the bypass in sight. If the water climbs past the grate, I’ll divert it with the tarp and bucket—won’t let it touch the cottage.

keep seated on porch step, eyes fixed on overflow trench, monitor water level relative to grate, note any rise or turbulence, hold storm lantern ready, prepare to move fast if water nears overflow level.

I’m watching. If the tank starts to rise, I’ll crack the outlet valve just enough to bleed off pressure—slow and steady, so we don’t lose it all.

stay seated on porch step, eyes on rain tank water level, note current height against tank markings, watch for any rise due to inflow or blocked overflow, keep left hand on lantern, right hand near valve key, ready to act if water nears top

Yeah. Tank’s at 394. Holding. Didn’t spill over. You good?

Walk over to the stove, lift the lid off the pot of limpets, and stir once with the wooden spoon—just enough to let the steam rise and smell the brine. Then I set the spoon down and turn to face her, waiting.

Got the beet and mint ready. Basin's on the counter.

Cross to the counter, lift the cloth off the basin — sea beet leaves steeped in warm water, mint sprigs floating — and carry it to the table beside her chair.

"Here." (I hand her the bucket, careful not to spill.)

Sit beside her on the bench, pull out the knife, and begin de-salting the sea beet leaves by rinsing them in the bucket, then laying them on a clean cloth to pound.

"Got it. Light pressure first, then work the fibers." (I adjust my grip, using the heel of my palm to crush the leaves without shredding them.)

Continue bruising the sea beet leaves in slow, deliberate motions, turning the bundle to extract maximum juice, then spread the pulp onto a clean gauze pad.