THUNDERBIRD LAUNCH 2017

The summer of 2017 officially starts for us the day the boat gets launched.

We arrived at the hangar at the appointed time, as did the Lake Agassi Marine crew and trailer.  

The boat was ready to roll as they slip that huge trailer under her

They always make it look so simple.   And before we know it it's on it's way.  

As Thunderbird exits, the hangar is getting emptier.  

But there are still a few boats left.

We take leave of her as she is coming down the road and head for the harbour to await her arrival.  

Here she comes heading for the launch ramp.  

She splashed down around 10:00 am.  

 

She is afloat and I am quite happy with my new waterline.  

 We backed away from the launch ramp around 10:20.  

As we approached Willow Island Point, it was getting a little rough.  

Once we rounded the point, we were heading right into that strong south wind.  I certainly don't like rough water, but we have been in a lot worse and we know she can handle it.  

As we approached the beach, we started to pick up some protection from Tower Beach and the point beyond.  Which made it a little more pleasant.  

So, here we are safe and sound  in Boundary Creek Marina.  

I AM PLEASED, LET THE SUMMER BEGIN

THE LAST OF THE BOAT CHORES

This week we decided to put the big push on and get the bottom paint done so we can launch the boat. 

It was a little extra work this year as we agreed once and for all to fix the water line, which has been wrong since we bought the boat and it has always bothered me. 

Dan agreed, "Fine, if you want to do the work to mask it all off, we can move it up where you want it." 

So, today we put the last coat on the new water line.  I hope it's right.  We won't really know until we get her in the water.  And of course then it will be too late. 

She is all ready to roll, so we have booked our launch for Friday morning.  I will keep my fingers crossed and live with the consequences if it's wrong.  

LET THE SUMMER BEGIN

THE START OF MY NEW KITCHEN.

This week we picked up cupboards for my new kitchen and piled them up in the garage.    

It will be a while before they are installed.  

We have to get the plumbing and bathroom done first.  

But I couldn't pass up a good deal.  

THIS WILL PROBABLY BE NEXT YEAR'S CHORE

LAWN AND GARDEN?

This place we have purchased doesn't look too promising lawn and garden wise.  

 

 

I'm looking around for any perennials that might come up from previous owners.  

 

I don't see much.  Even the lawn is more moss than grass. 

Dan had to give up on fixing up the old lawn mower and we bought a new one, in hopes of grass someday.  I see a few things here and there that might develop, but right now it is a wait and see game.  

I know I would like to have some decorative trees and shrubs, some perennials and certain berry trees, etc., to attract the migrating birds.  But at my age I don't want anything that is high maintenance.  I'm willing to put the work in, to plant things once, but after that it lives or dies on it's own.  

In the last house we had on Henderson Highway, I became obsessed with my gardens and kept adding to them every year.  It got to the point that I was a slave to those gardens and that was probably part of the reason I was willing to sell the place and go into a condo.    

SO I WON'T MAKE THAT MISTAKE AGAIN!

PREPARING THE BOAT FOR LAUNCHING

I have been trying to help with the sanding of the hull in preparation for new bottom paint. 

While Dan is working on our plumbing problem.  We have always had a an external water supply (from the lake or river) for the main bathroom on board.  

With the zebra muscle invasion, that has become problematic, so we are running a new water supply from our on board fresh water tank to the main bathroom.  Not a simple task, but do-able. 

Lots of boats are being hauled out of the hangar each day.  I'm getting anxious for us to get launched as well.  

 IT'S TIME TO GET SUMMER STARTED

THE NEW DRIVEWAY

Once the stumps were removed, Dan took all the trees he cut down and used them to outline our new driveway.  He drilled them and staked them down with re-bar, to contain the gravel, so it wouldn't end up all over the grass. 

So this should contain the gravel and define the parking space. 

Then the gravel arrived.  

So now we have parking for more than just our vehicles.  

WE CAN EVEN ACCOMMODATE GUESTS!!  

STUMP GRINDING

It is one thing to cut down a number of trees that are in your way.  It's another thing all together to dispose of the stumps.  

Dan spent all day Sunday, off and on working on one stump.  Chopping and digging at it.  At the end of the day the stump was still there , although a little smaller and more exposed, and hacked up and he was exhausted.  Plus he was certainly aching on Monday.  So today, we hired Forest Stump Tree Service.  

He arrived with his fantastic machine and Zip-Zip-Zap three stumps in our potential driveway were gone. 

Then Grind Grind Grind in the front yard and two huge stumps there were gone. 

There was nothing left but a bunch of mulch, which should come in handy with future landscaping. 

We can even park the truck in the potential driveway, even though we haven't even ordered our gravel yet.   

One step at a time.  

NEXT STEP, GRAVEL!