BEACH WALKING TRAIL

I took Sea-Enna on a walk today.  Walking in a different area is a real treat for her, as she keeps her nose to the ground, checking out all the new smells. 

I tried to interest her in the artesian well, but she was not interested. 

From the well, we took the trail that leads to the foot bridge.   . 

This is a little foot bridge that spans the source area of what supplies the water to our Boundary Creek Marina

The bridge is pretty rickety, with a sign that says "Use at your own risk."  ???  Others were using it though and they seemed totally unconcerned, so we ventured forth. 

This is a view, up Boundary Creek towards the source. 

 

 

Once safely across we circled back toward the marina. 

 

 

 

 

THIS IS A VERY NICE NATURE WALK.

DIY: NEW PILOT HOUSE CARPET

Now that all our major projects engine-wise, are completed, I think I can safely put new carpet in the Pilot House.  I have been making do with some old used carpet that I salvaged and installed, on the spur of the moment, late one night on the eve of our launch a few years ago.  It has served us well, and has taken the brunt of the abuse of oil, grease, paint, and varnish spills and damage that any number of tools can do. I have always said I will not put new carpet down until all these major improvements are completed.  We have even installed new lighter aluminium framed engine hatch covers, so I think it's time.

I have something very specific in mind though.  I am looking for the colour that in the late 60s and early 70s they called "Harvest Gold".  It mostly came in Shag Carpet, which I certainly don't want (yuck),  but I do want that colour.  Believe it or not, I think it is coming back around again.  I saw a lovely sculptured wave pattern in this exact colour when I was down South last winter, so I am hoping it will show up here soon.  Or I will buy it there and haul it home.  I have my heart set on this exact pattern and colour and I am not willing to settle for anything else.  Even if I have to order it in. 

So, if anyone sees any real "Harvest Gold" carpet.  Let me know where and I'll run and have a look at it. 

I think I better also make a custom fitted tarp to put down, over the new carpet, around the hatch opening, when the engine hatches get opened " just in case".  That's one more thing to do before I get rid of my commercial sewing machine. 

 

 

ANOTHER SEWING PROJECT

 



THE SUMMER IS WINDING DOWN

I hate to face it, but the summer is coming to a close.  The September long weekend is over, our Marina's Fall Supper was this weekend and so now we have had to face, choosing a pull out date.  

Dan wants to get a head start on a couple of projects he has in mind for Thunderbird, so he would like to have it sooner rather than later, maybe Sept. 15th.  But I don't want the summer to end, so I would like to stay in the water until Sept. 30th.  So, we have compromised and our pull out date is set for Sept. 25th.   I was hoping for a cruise up the Red River and into the city this fall, but I guess that is not to be. 

Even though we are heading to our little Texas home earlier this year (early November) I can't seem to get my mind to go there yet.  It's the arrival of the cold weather that makes me want to be in Texas and that has not arrived yet. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, I've got a couple more weeks of boating, before our pull out, so let's enjoy it. 

2 1/2 WEEKS AND COUNTING

 

 

 



GET OUT THE BIRD BOOK

This is the time of the year I start pulling out my trusty bird book, as the water foul start to come and go from around the harbour.  I am trying to identify this one.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's a Least Grebe. 

 

 

 

We don't have that many different ones during the height of summer,

 

 

maybe a family or two of geese and our resident Heron. 

 

 

And sometimes the odd visit from a cormorant fishing in the creek. 

 

 

 

 

But come fall, we see many different varieties as they spend time in the farmers fields feeding during the day then spend part of the day either on the lake or in the harbour.  They rest around this area and fatten up a bit before they form up into huge flocks and continue on with their arduous journey south. 

 

 

 

This local Mama has had her brood very late this summer.  I hope the weather holds and she has enough time to get them reared and strong enough to make that long journey down south.  These late hatchlings always worry me. 

 

 

 

THESE SCENES ARE JUST ONE MORE PERK TO LIVING ON A BOAT

 

 

AN OVERNIGHTER IN THE CITY

We have to go and spend a night in our condo.  We have a Friday morning funeral to attend, so we will go into town on Thursday morning and spend the night.  That will give us a chance to do some errands on Thursday, then we can come straight back out here to the Marina on Friday afternoon. 

There are far to many of these sad occasions cropping up lately. 

CRUISING ON LAKE WINNIPEG

Saturday was another hot and humid day at the beach, but the forecast was for a cold front to move in later in the afternoon, with accompanying high winds.  So, we thought we had better take advantage of the nice day and go out for a cruise and a swim. 

It was the perfect day for it.  Sunny, warm and a very calm lake.  Who could ask for more. 

 

When we pulled up and stopped, Sea-enna could hardly contain her excitement, as Dan put on her "Bathing Suit".  (see July 17th blog "My Dogs Bathing Suit".) 



In no time at all she was out onto the swim platform and waiting for her throw to be thrown and impatient that Dan was taking so long to get his bathing suit on. 
 

 

 She loves to swim. 

There is nothing Sea-Enna loves more than playing fetch in the lake with her throw. As soon as she brings it back she is ready to go again.  In no time at all she wears herself and us out. 

 

 

 

 

We were planning on going swimming as well, but with the boat not moving the usual flies of August had found us and were starting to get annoying.  So we decided to keep the boat moving and just idled along. 

 

 

 

So, I threw together some snacks and we bubbled along down to the south end of the lake and back. 

We ate our lunch and had a few drinks and just putted along for the entire afternoon. 

 
"Hey, I gotta keep an eye on that food, in case some of it suddenly falls.  "

 

 

I found that as long as the boat was bubbling along the movement was keeping the flies away. 

 

 

 

So I was able to sit out front and enjoy my cruise.  It is always so peaceful out there, all you hear is the lapping of the water on the hull.  The motor noise seems so distant. 

 

 

 

What a difference a few hours can make though.  The winds had started to pick up a little by the time we were entering the harbour and by the time our Annual Boundary Creek Corn Roast was underway that night the temperature had dropped down drastically, the wind was howling and there was a misty rain.  Not nice at all.  And today it is really cool. 

 

 

 

 

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY AND A COLD FRONT CAN MAKE.   

 

 

 

 

DIY: MORE CANVAS TO SEW

A couple of years ago I made a windshield cover of Levelor type Blind fabric.  It blocks a lot of the sun's rays and heat, but still allows us to see out.  It has served us quite well, but during the last couple of weeks it has been very very hot and humid.  With this very hot weather we need even more coverage on our front window. 

We put a piece of canvas, under the screen, across that area this week, and that really dropped the temperature in here, even more drastically.  It blocks our view out of our front window, which I don't like, but really makes it more comfortable in here in the this extreme heat. 

So, this fall, I am going to make another windshield cover exactly the same as our shade cover , but out of solid canvas.  We will only use it in the extreme heat, but that should really help. 

THE LIST OF WINTER PROJECTS IS STARTING