Day 521

I'll check the mooring ring now — it's taking more strain than yesterday. Stay off the dock until I've secured it. I'll bring you limpets as soon as they're ready.

walk to the dock, inspect the mooring ring for movement, tighten any loose bolts with the wrench, insert oak wedges if needed, then return to the cottage to cook the limpets.

I'm putting a shim under the north piling and wedging the ring. Won't take long. Then I'm coming back to cook those limpets — you need to keep your strength up.

fetch the greenheart shim and mallet, drive it under the north piling toe at the mortise, insert oak wedges into the dock mooring ring mortise while the ring is unloaded, drive them home with the mallet, then return to the cottage to limpet

I won't be long. Shim and wedges only — then I'm back with the limpets. Keep the cloth tight and elevate if you can.

drive the greenheart shim under the north piling toe with the mallet, insert two oak wedges into the mooring ring mortise, drive them home with the mallet until snug, then return to the cottage to cook the limpets.

I'm setting the shim and wedges now — it'll hold till low tide. Then I'm straight back with the limpets. Keep your ankle up and the poultice moist if you can.

drive the greenheart shim under the north piling toe, insert two oak wedges into the dock mooring ring mortise, drive them home with the mallet until the ring doesn't shift under hand pressure, then return to the cottage, light the stove, a

Yeah, there’s broth left. I’ll pour you some.

pour water from the pot into Jenny’s tin mug and hand it to her.

I’m going to check the dock mooring. Low tide’s the time to see if it’s holding.

walk to the dock, kneel at the mooring ring, and inspect the oak wedges and steel doubler plate for movement or gap.

I’ll go slow. Thanks for the warning.

step onto the dock, testing each plank for slickness, then move to the mooring ring and press firmly on the steel doubler plate to check for shift in the mortise.

No gaps. The wedges are tight, the plate’s flush. It’s holding.

run my hand along the seam between the doubler plate and the dock timber, feeling for any movement or softness in the wood, then stand and test the ring by pulling sideways on the mooring line with both hands.

Kevin — lift the damp dock planks near the waterline and prop them up with scrap timber to allow airflow underneath

Kevin — wait and watch the lifted planks, letting the wind and sun dry them out for a few minutes before lowering them back into place

Kevin — continue to let the lifted dock planks air-dry in the breeze, checking them occasionally for moisture underneath

I’m cooking limpets. I’ll bring them to you when they’re done.

cook limpets: simple boiled limpets with sea beet and mint poultice on the side

I won’t. Just a few minutes more.

stir the pot gently, then lift the lid to check doneness after 90 seconds of simmering

They’ll be hot. I’ll take them straight to you.

turn off the stove, ladle limpets and broth into a tin mug, carry it to the porch and set it down beside Jenny’s chair without a word

You’re welcome. I’ll be right here if you want more.

sit on the porch step beside her, silent, watching the tide roll in against the dock pilings

I'll check the tank overflow again. Maybe I can divert it before it eats the sill.

walk to the water tank, inspect the overflow channel and the sill where water's seeping in

I know. I'll try to keep the water off it as long as I can. Might need to pull back the overflow and let it drain elsewhere.

kneel at the tank overflow, clear debris from the channel, and use my hands to feel how far the water has wicked into the sill timber

I won't load it. Just clearing the way so water can run free, not pool.

gently remove loose, rotted fibers from the sill's edge with my fingers, then lay a flat stone to guide overflow away from the foundation, watching for shifts in the wood as I work

I'll try to stop the leak at the source. If I can seal the tank seam, less water gets in the ground.

return to the water tank, inspect the seam where it's weeping, and dry the area with a rag before applying fresh epoxy to the crack, holding my breath to see if it takes this time

I'll dry it proper this time. Torch the seam, then seal while it's hot.

fetch the propane torch from the workshop, return to the tank, and carefully flame the weeping seam to drive out moisture before brushing on the last of the epoxy

I'll go quick and low. Just enough to take the damp off the surface.

pass the torch lightly along the seam, watching for darkening or smoke, then immediately wipe the area with a dry rag and apply epoxy to the crack, pressing it in with my thumb to work it into the grain

If it seals, it'll help. But we need to get that ankle seen. I'll radio for advice after dark—see if they can walk us through draining it. If it seals, it'll help. But we need to get that ankle seen. I'll radio for advice after dark—see if they can walk us through draining it.

wait for the epoxy to set, then gently test the seam with my fingertip to see if it's tacky or firm, listening for any renewed seepage from the tank wait for the epoxy to set, then gently test the seam with my fingertip to see if it's tacky

"Yeah. For now." (I nod, voice low, eyes on the darkening water where it meets the stone.)

I push off the wall, turn toward the cottage, and start walking — slow, deliberate — carrying the empty limpet pot back to rinse and set by the stove.

"I’ll walk with you. Just to the door." (I fall into step beside her, matching her pace, shoulder brushing hers when she stumbles.)

I walk Jenny to the cottage porch, then turn and head back to the tank — not to check it again, but to stand in the quiet where the tide’s pulling back, listening to the water retreat from the stones.