Day 637

Collar bolts first. Then the spruce.

Walk the dock to the south piling, test each collar bolt with the heavy wrench, tighten any that have worked loose, then re-check the come-along tension.

Aye. Trunk for the wall, branches for stakes, top for kindling.

Walk back toward the garden path, bow saw in hand, assess the fallen spruce for cutting order — trunk sections first, then limbs.

Tin's sealed. Desiccant's fresh. I'll be back before the rain hits proper.

Start cutting the spruce trunk at the garden path — first cut at the root flare for the longest straight section, work toward the crown.

Storm's moving fast. Going to stack these beams by the garden wall, then check the south piling tension before high tide. You stay off that ankle.

carry spruce beams to garden wall and stack under tarp, then walk to dock to inspect south piling and come-along

Bolts first. Then tension.

walk to south end of dock, inspect come-along anchor bolts and piling connection for corrosion, test thread engagement with wrench

Washers are in the tool chest, bottom drawer. Piling's checking seaward — deeper than last month. Anchor plate's working loose.

retrieve stainless washers from tool chest, replace corroded washers on come-along anchor bolts, retighten, then crank come-along to take up slack on south piling

Static only. Called at 0700, 1200. Nothing back.

adjust the squelch knob, then rest hand on the mic without transmitting

I'll open it proper. Heat the rim, break the corrosion seal. No tools on the packets.

set the mic down, stand, and walk toward the cottage at a pace she can match

Won't use the torch. Hot water bath in the galvanized bucket. Slow.

walk to the workshop, return with the bucket and set it on the porch table, then fetch the kettle from the stove

Wiping it down now.

take a clean cloth from the shelf, wipe the tin's exterior thoroughly — lid, seams, base — then set it aside while the kettle comes to a simmer

Tin's stubborn. Seal's welded shut from the salt. Hot water didn't touch it. Going to need the cold chisel or the angle grinder — careful work so I don't crack the lid and let moisture in.

walk to the porch with the bucket and tin, set them on the table beside Jenny

Chisel and hammer it is. Slow around the rim. Won't rush it.

go to the tool roll under the workbench, retrieve the cold chisel and small sledge, return to the porch and sit beside the tin

Mm. Watching the edge.

position the chisel at the seam where lid meets body, tap lightly with the sledge, work around the circumference in small increments, pause every few strikes to check for movement

Level. Not slipping.

continue tapping around the rim, maintaining a shallow angle on the chisel, complete the circuit until the lid loosens, then set the chisel down and lift the lid carefully with both hands

Kevin — walk down to the dock and check the south piling tension and anchor plate, then inspect the second crate in the exposed rocks.

Aye. Got the spare galvanized in the shed. Will swap them at slack tide tomorrow if they've gone worse.

Walk down the path to the dock, testing each plank. Crouch at the south piling and grip the come-along handle — check tension by feel. Shine the headlamp beam along the anchor plate bolts where they bite into the timber.

Right. Backing off a turn.

Release the come-along ratchet one notch, letting the cable breathe. Watch the piling for movement. Step back and scan the anchor plate bolts again — look for fresh rust streaks or timber crush.

Morning then.

Secure the come-along handle so it can't vibrate loose. Walk back up the path toward the cottage, pausing to look at the second crate wedged in the rocks — estimate how much of it shows at this tide.

Wind's turning.

Climb the porch steps. Set the headlamp on the table. Pull out the notebook and sketch the second crate's position relative to the dock and the tide line — rough bearing, approximate depth, what's visible.

Might hold till morning. Might not.

Sit on the porch edge beside her. Crack the tin mug and pour the last of the limpet broth — push it toward her. Pick up the shortwave mic and key it on Tom's frequency. "Sorrel Island. Position holding. Barometer 993 falling. Over."

Kevin — set the mic back in its cradle. Pull the blanket from the bedroom and drape it over her shoulders where the wind finds the collar. Sit quiet and watch the swell lines march in.

Pressure's dropping. East wind'll push swell into the dock by midnight.

Walk to the barometer on the porch shelf and tap the glass, noting the reading.

Checked the come-along an hour ago. Piling's still moving. Dinghy lines next.

Walk down the path to the dock, headlamp beam cutting through the dim, and crouch at the mooring ring to inspect the bow line chafe guard and the new stern spring splice.

Bow line's the problem. Old nylon. Ring's sharp at the wedges. I'll wrap it with canvas off the crate.

Pull the canvas roll from the crate stash on the dock, cut a strip with the knife, and wrap it tight around the bow line where it bites the mooring ring, securing it with two half-hitches of sail twine.