It’s been a few weeks now since Pachina’s launch, and we’re slowly getting all things ready for the big journey east. Projects and small repairs are working out, and logistics are coming together. Two things we didn’t bank on though are the flood waters in Lake Ontario, and Ann’s tooth problems.
Yes, the waters around here keep rising. Our little marina’s outer basin is already awash, with the outer wall flooded by the Bay of Quinte’s rising tide. Normally this wall is 10’ to 15’ above the water level. Water now washes over the walkway.
Our space in the inner basin is still relatively protected; it has another 6” to go before it disappears beneath Neptune’s grasp, so hopefully this won’t happen. Our biggest challenge has been the large step require to get up to our boat. At the end of last season we were stepping three feet up to reach the dock from our boat’s deck. Today we are stepping at least three feet down.
Last fall, notice where the concrete dock is. Now…
But the other major pain (literally … for Ann) is tooth problems. She’s been ignoring a molar for too long, and after much cajoling and threatening (mainly from Middle Sister), she’s agreed to have it dealt with. Looks like a root canal, and tooth reconstruction is now in order. All this takes time, but at least it’s underway. We’ll know in a few days how long the process will take, and how may appointments with the endodontist.
We still have about a month before we have to get going, so we should be OK. Getting this tooth sorted is the most important thing right now. Whatever shall be shall be… At least we have Donna the Tooth Fairy looking after us. Thanks Donna!
Aside from the boat work, we’ve been having fun visiting, and being visited. We made a trek to Ottawa shortly after the boat was launched, and spent a few days hanging out with Mom and Sis/Kathy (and friend Dorothy). As always, the time was well spent relaxing, talking and eating. So much good food, and perhaps a little too much good beer (Kathy’s such a bad influence 😉 ).
While we were in Ottawa we also got to spend a few hours with niece Colleen and son Connor. Connor is really doing well. He’s growing up to be quite the special boy. Ann, as always, manages to make good connections with him. It’s fun to watch them play together.
Saying goodbye to Ottawa folk, we headed back to Belleville in time to meet Donna and Sam. They were in Toronto for a doc’s conference, and to visit daughter Tasha. They then took the train down our way to spend a few hours driving Prince Edward County, sampling craft beer, and eating dinner before hopping the VIA back to TO. Lots of fun! Great to see you both.
Meanwhile, work carries on back on Pachina Mia. We got the boom and sails on right away. The new charge controller for the solar panels seems to be working. The windmill is installed, and the outboard is ready. The water system seems to be working OK, as does the head. We do have a leak in the head sink, but that’s easily solved (right Ann???). Some day soon one of us will head to the top of the mast to mount the wind instrument, and we also have to install the windvane, but it’s all coming together nicely.
Last evening we finally got to see Marvin and Pita. We met Marvin last year when we rented a room from him for a month last year. And Pita (Pain In The Ass) is another cute cat in our lives. Going to Marvin’s was like coming home … it felt so familiar and comfortable. Marvin cooked us a wonderful supper, and we spent a few hours catching up and petting the cat. Best of all, Marvin is seriously considering driving our car to Newfoundland for us. This would be awesome!
The one remaining unknown project on the boat is the radar… I’m kinda delaying getting down to it. The problem is either really simple, or virtually impossible, and I don’t want to find out it’s the latter 😉 . In the meantime, life goes on down at the little marina. We get visited by Smoky the marina cat, and Maddy the marina child. We eat well (including having eggs Benny and mimosas in Sue’s honour), drink well, and watch the waters rise all around us.
It’s a good thing we live on a boat 😉 .
