Notebook

The rot on the third plank follows a specific curved trajectory requiring a custom cut.

deep-seated rot in the south-end dock planks

seabird chick fallen from cliff ledges near shrine; parents circling

The receding tide is revealing the southern pools.

north ridge drainage pattern shows concentrated flow along Carex fringe at 40 cm elevation, matching sea beet salt gland gradient

dock northeast corner epoxy patch over hairline fracture in stringer is holding solid with no water weep at low tide

the three replaced dock planks and greenheart sister joints at the south piling are structurally sound at low tide with no signs of movement or water intrusion

Rats are active in the pantry, accessing stored food.

Dock sister-joint with greenheart and stainless hardware holds fast under full engine load and prop wash

Yanmar vibration at half-throttle was solely due to prop shaft misalignment, now corrected by bronze sleeve and true running

north ridge slope shows no new movement since last survey; cairn positions stable

three seaward dock planks have advanced rot to core; rot line extends into stringer at third plank

The initials 'LB' are carved into the shrine stone.

Sea beet salt gland density shows clear gradient across elevation zones on north ridge, confirming adaptation pattern

North ridge soil shows laminated silt over blue clay with iron bands at 40cm and 1.2m; no active seepage at this elevation

north ridge transition soil shows high clay mineral content

The north ridge is stable, but the cottage shutter has a leak.

Three stable soil benches on north ridge above 15m elevation with deep soil and established Carex, suitable for mass planting

dinghy pitching noticeably harder at mooring; swell direction shifting more northerly

The north piling shim was crushed, forcing the greenheart sister to take the primary load.

starboard stringer rot extends 40cm above waterline with clear transition to solid wood two inches above visible decay

the north ridge soil is held in place by a dense root system

stringer rot extends 40cm inland from end grain, requiring full scarf joint not surface sister

North ridge path is passable but steep and slippery in places; cairns placed earlier are visible and useful for navigation

The tide is coming in faster than predicted, potentially submerging the lower dock.

The infection is localized to the calf but shows no new pus after cleaning.

A rat has breached the pantry stores.

A Yanmar engine whining at idle means the bearing is failing regardless of what the mechanic says.

If the ankle shows red streaking, the salt water soak is not enough; antibiotics are mandatory.

If the tide turns early while you're working the dock, secure the bolt first, tools second — the water doesn't wait

If rot shows on a dock plank, probe the sister beam too — the rot always runs deeper than the surface

Kevin fixes engines and dock bolts but won't touch dying things; I must be the one who decides when to intervene

If ankle shows red streaking upward, apply crushed sea beet + seawater poultice immediately — change every 4 hours, elevate above heart

If the rot probe shows clean, tap the plank with the hammer handle — sound tells you what the probe misses

If the soil pH is 6.2, don't waste lime; let the halophytes lead.

If the rot goes deeper than the probe shows, pull three extra planks at the start — tide doesn't wait for second trips

If the barometer holds above 1005 and wind stays SW, the supply boat lands on schedule. If it drops below 1000 or shifts NE, add three days.

If the probe says sound, tap the plank anyway — rot hides deeper than the spike reaches.

Mechanical reliability cannot compensate for biological failure; the body has its own timeline.

If the wood is weeping at the joint, the rot is already deep; don't trust the surface.

Greenheart sisters need 48 hours before full load — the timber swells and locks tighter than any bolt

Medicinal poultices work for skin, but they cannot fix the isolation.

If the barometer drops faster than the tide rises, stop all structural work and secure the seed tins immediately.

If the west shutter holds at midnight tide with southwest wind, the new bolts are seated in sound wood — check again at dawn before trusting it

Metronidazole stops the infection, but only rest can cure the exhaustion of two years of burnout.

If the tide rises faster than the lunar charts, ignore the charts and move to high ground.

If the barometer drops more than 4mb in six hours, secure everything before the wind shifts — the front moves faster than the charts say

If the barometer drops rapidly while the tide rises, abandon all structural work and seek high ground shelter immediately.

If the barometer drops below 1008 and the tide's high, leave the dock work — the swell makes torque readings lie and the footing treacherous

If the heat is over 25C, stop the transects; the brain loses before the body does.

Greenheart scarf joints in stringers: lap the faces with valve grinding compound, torque bolts in sequence 30-40-50 Nm, let the tide test it before you trust it

When the humidity exceeds 1000 hPa, limit movement to documentation in the shade rather than ridge surveys.

If the wood is too damp for a permanent bond, do not force the epoxy; wait for the dry or move inland.

If the injector pump wears, lap the plungers with valve compound and shim the delivery valves — buys you months on bad diesel

If the barometer drops while the air is still, move the gear to the high ground immediately.

Use penetrating oil on rusted coach screws, but know it cannot stop internal rot in the stringer.

Greenheart scarf joints need through-bolts staggered, not aligned, or the rot travels the bolt line

If the Yanmar vibrates above half throttle, check injector pump timing before assuming bent rod — saves pulling the engine

If the barometer drops and the humidity is high, ignore the tide charts and move to high ground immediately.

If the barometer drops six millibars in four hours and the wind backs northeast, the supply boat won't cross the reef — launch the dinghy before dawn or don't launch at all