Oct 10 - rocky !

David and I went hunting again, saw a few singles and a group of five. We're still not sure what that group of five was, could have been geese or ducks, but we realized afterwards that the wing-beats were slower and the birds were larger. We had noting to bring home. I've got to cook the duck that's in the meat drawer, or perhaps put it away for next weekend when Alex is here. Yes, that sounds like a plan.

I did some more puttering over the course of the day, refilling the bottom end oil in the Merc 90 on the Bayliner, placing those rocks at the rock wall that David had hauled down, organizing the barn, moving the dock ...

The dock is a problem. It's now positioned pointing at the beach, grounded there, a long way from its normal winter resting place. I tried using a pipe to see if we could roll it but no dice. I could pull it in by hand just as far as using the 4-wheeler and the pipe. Perhaps more pipes ... but it is a heavy thing. I think that it will end up staying where it is with a piece of chain around the rocks and ropes to the shore at the beach and alongside the gazebo.

The gazebo is another problem. I discovered that the underlying log frame that my Dad built is popping out. Yesterday I drilled some holes in the crib and drove rebar and cut ground stake into them, trying to hold the pieces to one another. I think that ultimately if it continues to move, I'll be pouring some concrete. The gazebo isn't going anywhere but because the front is a couple of feet forward of the support underneath, the deck beneath will bow. The flooring is independent of the deck so it doesn't really cause problems but it is a major annoyance. Grrr. Perhaps I'll be pouring concrete for a new foundation at the same time that Jason is doing the same for his cottage !

David and I finished what his cousins Bob and Larry, and some of Jason's boys started -- we rolled the concrete & rock outcrop down the slope and thankfully, deep enough that it didn't become a new boating hazard ! I was envisaging going swimming with a pry bar ...

The Whaler is in the boathouse; the kids toys are put away; the cover is on the A/C; we're on our way to closing up for the season.

David, Kim and Megan left after an early dinner, as did Gavin and Kyle. Kim's still there, leaving either today or tomorrow, I forget. Jason and Lorraine are leaving tomorrow.

I heard from Jim last night that they're back, so I'm going over there this a.m. to give him a hand with his boat and water pump. After that I'm going for a much needed bike ride. If I ride to Philadelphia I would work off the Thanksgiving feasting.

Onward !