A NIP IN THE AIR EACH MORNING

Fall is fast approaching.  Each morning when we wake, there is a real nip in the air.  There have been frost warnings all around us, but of course the lake moderates the temperatures here on the creek. 

 

 

In the spring it makes it much cooler around the water, it takes a long time for the sun to warm that water up.  But, then in the fall it makes it a little warmer and stops the frost from taking hold when you are on the water. 
 Ahhh, the "Lake Effect". 

 

 

 

We will spend this last weekend in the marina, then head south.   

We are looking for a weather window to head across to the mouth of the Red River then on up river to the RMYC.  We are hoping to get there next week, then move the rest of our stuff there the following week. 

 

WE ARE WATCHING THE WEATHER FORECAST VERY CLOSELY

 

THE FLOCKS ARE STARTING TO GET BIGGER

The Canada Geese are starting to gather in larger than family units.  At first they hiss at each other then they get to the point they start to tolerate each other as the group gets larger. 

 

 

 

We also have a lone female Mallard hanging around which is very unusual, unless she lost her mate.  Well this is the 21st century, maybe she's just a spinster. 

 

 

 

 

I hope she is not the late mother I saw a couple of weeks ago. I'd hate to think that one lost all her babies. 

 

 

The flocks of Geese are growing and growing every day.

 

 

They are usually practicing all day, building their strength and choosing their strongest fliers to follow.  It's quite the sight. 

 

 

This was a strong wind day, so they are sitting it out on the beach. 

 

 

We even had a Snow Goose visit the harbour this morning. 

 

 

 

 

THEY ARE ALL GETTING READY TO HEAD SOUTH. 

 

JUST LIKE US.

 

 

 

HIGH SOUTH WINDS AND LOW LOW WATER

Because of its long, narrow shape, Lake Winnipeg exhibits a variety of interesting wind and wave effects, including temporary water level rises of up to one metre in height at its southern shore, a process called seiche. This occurs when prevailing northerly winds blow along the length of Lake Winnipeg, exerting a horizontal stress on its surface. Surface waters move in the direction of the wind and pile up along the leeward south shores.  The old times called these "Wind Tides". 

 

Well the last couple of days we have had the opposite effect.  The wind has been blowing hard and consistently from the south leaving Boundary Creek and it's boats high and dry. 

 

 

 

"R Tyme" is sitting on the mud.  And listing badly to port. 

 

 

 

Keith's he said he had to walk up hill on his boat to get to the back door and get off of it, when he left yesterday. 

 

 

"Sommerset's" bow is really high on the mud.

 

 

  

It would be impossible to walk around inside her. 

 

 

 

Sommerset is tipped so high up at the nose that it is forceing her swim platform under the water. 

 

 

 

The outer harbour seems to be fairing a lot better.  Although the water is down, the boats all seem to still be floating. 

 

I'm sure the wind will change back to it's usual North/West and the harbour will fill back up very quickly. 

 

 

 

ANOTHER INTERESTING DAY AT THE MARINA

 

 

 

 

 

 

SORTING OUT STUFF

What to keep and what to trash? Today we went to the hangars to sort out all the stuff we have accumulated over that last 10 years of working on the boat. 

 

Over the years we have accumulated left over supplies from already completed jobs, specialized tools for specific jobs that are already completed.  We have to decide what we no longer have to have on hand, and get rid of all that pertains to jobs already completed. 

We will have limited storage space at the yacht club, so we have to pare down , but most of our major refit is complete so that will greatly influence our decision making.  It's time we did this anyways.  It's going to take a few days and a few trips but we'll get it done. 

HOW STUFF DOES ACCUMULATE

A FALL CRUISE INTO THE CITY

I was hoping for a fall cruise into the city and now it looks like I'm going to get one. 

We are changing the location for Thunderbird's winter storage.  We are going to cruise on into the city and store our boat at The Royal Manitoba Yacht Club. 

Lake Agassiz Marine indoor storage in the old aircraft hangars has been a perfect winter storage for us in the last 10 years of working on our boat.  We have spent many hundreds of winter hours in those hangars, out of the weather and able to complete many large boat projects. 

But, now 10 years later we are down to a few lesser projects, most of them exterior jobs (painting etc.) that can be completed outdoors in the spring.  We now also have a dog, that can't be in the hangar or left at home for a weekend. 

In the last 4 years we have also spent 3 of the winter months in Texas and only work on the boat for a short time in the fall and for a month, when we get back in the spring.  Which doesn't justify storage in a heated work facility for the whole winter.  Now this year we are leaving for Texas in November and will be gone even longer. 

We have come to the decision that outdoor storage will suffice for the few things we have to do each spring and RMYC is only 20 minutes from home so we can go home each night and not have to spend the weekend.  So this will work better for us and our dog. 

 

 

 

THIS WILL BE A BIG CHANGE FOR US  


 

 

 

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