It must be getting cooler but it isn't. The rain just split the extraordinary heat and I was in the house, in the pine box, listening to it pounding the roof and soaking the topsoil we just laid on Deborah's lawn. I'll get a photo tomorrow.You should have seen her yesterday, at 30 degrees in the late afternoon, picking up stones and rocks like an old Scottish pioneer. Or like a child playing on the hard clay surface.
So we picked up a shower to install along with all the other equipment and Deborah saw a dishwasher and a stove which looked good and weren't too expensive, so we bought them too, then we bought a beautiful wisteria tree and off back to the Cape where we labored over the 11 cubic yards of topsoil (brown sand really) which Bernard Burke dumped the day before.
The house is lighting up: there's a light in every room now. I only have the master bathroom and hallway walls to build and I'll be on to the siding. It's easy to work 8 hours a day when you can see results like these. Deborah has started painting the wood white and it is really radiant. I introduce her to an electric sander, a Makita tool, and the result is astonishing.
Spend 12 hours on August 30 helping the Master Builder putting a new asphalt shingle roof on cottage 2. 8 hours of asphalt. I cut, he installs. It's back to old times, like last year, staring up at him in silhouette against the sky... He can hardly move when he's finished the day.
I'll upload a few photos to show you where we're at...
Friday, 31 August 2012
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
August 22 and still blaring mid-summer
It must have been the sea-doos wheeling around the lake at 8 in the evening, in full sunlight. It could have been Portugese sunshine all day. I finished a wall in the visitor's bedroom and then we took off for jobs in Port Hawkesbury:
first things first, a call in to Telus to ask them why our i-phone doesn't ring anymore. I was on the point of returning to its factory settings. 'You've got the mute button on,' said the charming young lady who then gaily showed us how to organize icons.
Wow, am I a dumbo.
Then a visit to an insurance company and a lady who found the two of us a bit out of her ordinary. She did however promise to try to find us an insurer.
Then the return of a jet-pump to Canadian Tire and picking up a whole bunch of insulation, tools and garden stuff at Central (topsoil, mulch, compost) to keep Deborah going.
I don't know how this old car (155,000kms) keeps tugging the jammed trailer up Michael's two hills: we make it again, fully loaded. At 7 pm we walk down to sit in the new house, then down by the lake and watch a red sailboat in the late sun. It doesn't get much better than this. (Maybe India versus Pakistan in Bangalore or Australia versus the All Blacks in Dunedin? Or Sainte-Anne versus the Irish in St-Julie...)
Wish you were here.
first things first, a call in to Telus to ask them why our i-phone doesn't ring anymore. I was on the point of returning to its factory settings. 'You've got the mute button on,' said the charming young lady who then gaily showed us how to organize icons.
Wow, am I a dumbo.
Then a visit to an insurance company and a lady who found the two of us a bit out of her ordinary. She did however promise to try to find us an insurer.
Then the return of a jet-pump to Canadian Tire and picking up a whole bunch of insulation, tools and garden stuff at Central (topsoil, mulch, compost) to keep Deborah going.
I don't know how this old car (155,000kms) keeps tugging the jammed trailer up Michael's two hills: we make it again, fully loaded. At 7 pm we walk down to sit in the new house, then down by the lake and watch a red sailboat in the late sun. It doesn't get much better than this. (Maybe India versus Pakistan in Bangalore or Australia versus the All Blacks in Dunedin? Or Sainte-Anne versus the Irish in St-Julie...)
Wish you were here.
Monday, 20 August 2012
Monday 20 August How a good day goes
Just to give you an idea of life's rhythm here. Had a great night's sleep mainly because we didn't drink anything yesterday. Funny how much better you can feel when you're not using alcohol.
So up, clear-headed, forward-looking, progressive, missing the election at home somewhat and annoyed that streaming doesn't work well out here with the herons, and off to work. Thinking ahead to the plumbing project, clarifying it in my mind as I get closer.
But for now it's cutting and stuffing insulation into walls, fitting T and G boards onto walls getting better all the time at dealing with warped wood, then putting in noggins to nail my T and G to, listening to the CBC, enjoying a massive rain storm, monstrous, which surrounds the house with a lake of water which I think will be wonderful to capture, then off to lunch (a chicken soupy chinesee thingee, followed by a scone with DC's peach jam and a brilliant cup of Guatemalan coffee.) Yum.
Then off down the water-scarred road to find Andrew Landry who has a water system like the one we're building. He and his wife, Patricia, are full on useful information... Big house, bigger garage, equipment everywhere.
Then an afternoon slinging up walls, fitting around beams, until an early evening swim in the pond by the hangar and supper of noodles and sausage with garlic bread and fresh fruit on the deck overlooking this Tom Thompson scene. Catching up with the Master Builder as mosquitoes find us on the deck.
Nothing wrong with that, is there?
So up, clear-headed, forward-looking, progressive, missing the election at home somewhat and annoyed that streaming doesn't work well out here with the herons, and off to work. Thinking ahead to the plumbing project, clarifying it in my mind as I get closer.
But for now it's cutting and stuffing insulation into walls, fitting T and G boards onto walls getting better all the time at dealing with warped wood, then putting in noggins to nail my T and G to, listening to the CBC, enjoying a massive rain storm, monstrous, which surrounds the house with a lake of water which I think will be wonderful to capture, then off to lunch (a chicken soupy chinesee thingee, followed by a scone with DC's peach jam and a brilliant cup of Guatemalan coffee.) Yum.
Then off down the water-scarred road to find Andrew Landry who has a water system like the one we're building. He and his wife, Patricia, are full on useful information... Big house, bigger garage, equipment everywhere.
Then an afternoon slinging up walls, fitting around beams, until an early evening swim in the pond by the hangar and supper of noodles and sausage with garlic bread and fresh fruit on the deck overlooking this Tom Thompson scene. Catching up with the Master Builder as mosquitoes find us on the deck.
Nothing wrong with that, is there?
Sunday, 19 August 2012
19th August and it feels like it
Still warm and humid with a feeling of the ending of summer.
Rattling along with the construction and Deborah into a burst of propagating and new plantings in the garden. Looking like a garden now, growing under the record sunshine.
Just spent 24 hours with David and Rosemary in Bayfield, cooking and eating lobsters. After a long and active night David is up first, baking biscuits and preparing an omelette breakfast. Great memories of all the years we stayed in Bayfield even as we all run out of energy and health for the activity!
I'm now working in the other end of our chalet on the visitor bedroom walls. Thinking about how cosy you'll be when you come to see us. I'll be putting in a little bit of extra insulation, I promise.
Getting back to the Cape where Michael and Mary-Anne are entertaining friends on the new patio. A huge hit like sitting in your own Tom Thompson.
Rattling along with the construction and Deborah into a burst of propagating and new plantings in the garden. Looking like a garden now, growing under the record sunshine.
Just spent 24 hours with David and Rosemary in Bayfield, cooking and eating lobsters. After a long and active night David is up first, baking biscuits and preparing an omelette breakfast. Great memories of all the years we stayed in Bayfield even as we all run out of energy and health for the activity!
I'm now working in the other end of our chalet on the visitor bedroom walls. Thinking about how cosy you'll be when you come to see us. I'll be putting in a little bit of extra insulation, I promise.
Getting back to the Cape where Michael and Mary-Anne are entertaining friends on the new patio. A huge hit like sitting in your own Tom Thompson.
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Thursday 9 August Canada 1 France 0: BRONZE
So we take off a few days, starting with a sprint to Antigonish to watch the Canada game for the bronze medal. Rhian and her team-mates don't get near the French goal: they are exhausted after the battle against the Americans. In the 2nd half they have to defend against waves of brilliant French players hitting the bar, firing at Canadian legs... How do the French not score?
And then, out on their feet, a French player fouls Sinclair, the free kick is fired into the box, bing-bang-bong and it falls in front of the smallest player on the field who scores. Diane Matheson, who nearly missed the tournament with a broken leg, delivers the photo of the tournament: pure joiy as she runs off to celebrate her goal, pointing at the Maple Leaf on her shirt. And still, in the dying seconds, the French get down to the Canadian goal and threaten. Then the whistle and vindication. After 10 years of work, Rhian and her team-mates have arrived. Christine Sinclair is a national figure and carries the flag into the closing ceremony. For a few days, the Canada Womens' soccer team is Canada.
What a way to start a little holiday! I even found my eyes watering up at the thought of this victory and thinking of the thousands of Canadians, non-soccer people, watching this display of athleticism and guts. It really is a 1972 moment for Canada, only this time Canadian women arrived. It is an iconic moment when the team is rewarded for its ability to keep working under great distress.
It's one of those moments which will sustain many people for weeks to come. We feel so elated, so happy for Shan and Keith and Rhian and everyone and for all these women who have created soccer for women in Canada.
A great moment, good enough to propel us into the Fall and beyond.
So, we go to Dartmouth and I'm delighted to stop working for a few days. Just the break is good. A chance to look around for ideas and products to help with the Cape George project.
Friday we visit family: Frank Tomscha who's in better shape than the last time we met; Jessica and her new baby; Kevin who's recovering from a recent fall; Terry, his son, is onhand. Then out to meet Doris Horne, an old friend of the Dunn family, who introduces us to her large family, her paintings (rather good), her dogs, her lakeside cottage with a roof like ours... A fine day really. Not a drill or hammer in sight.
Saturday we meet up with Mary MacLeod, an old friend from the 70s and York University, who is in fine shape apart from a broken sternum sustained while moving a table! Then on to the Market, to talk to a wood man and discuss wine with people from the Valley, buy Dutch cheese and look at NASCAD students' work. Pouring and we love the rain: makes me think of a full well. Then more galleries and supper with Frances and off to brother Colin's for an evening's entertainment.
And so back to the Cape, to the Makita drills, to the glorious developing garden, to fresh Cape Breton vegetables and hyper-fresh fish and I sweat my 8-hour shift making walls and insulating. We eat fresh fist and corn. And swim in the pond.
Getting there.
And then, out on their feet, a French player fouls Sinclair, the free kick is fired into the box, bing-bang-bong and it falls in front of the smallest player on the field who scores. Diane Matheson, who nearly missed the tournament with a broken leg, delivers the photo of the tournament: pure joiy as she runs off to celebrate her goal, pointing at the Maple Leaf on her shirt. And still, in the dying seconds, the French get down to the Canadian goal and threaten. Then the whistle and vindication. After 10 years of work, Rhian and her team-mates have arrived. Christine Sinclair is a national figure and carries the flag into the closing ceremony. For a few days, the Canada Womens' soccer team is Canada.
What a way to start a little holiday! I even found my eyes watering up at the thought of this victory and thinking of the thousands of Canadians, non-soccer people, watching this display of athleticism and guts. It really is a 1972 moment for Canada, only this time Canadian women arrived. It is an iconic moment when the team is rewarded for its ability to keep working under great distress.
It's one of those moments which will sustain many people for weeks to come. We feel so elated, so happy for Shan and Keith and Rhian and everyone and for all these women who have created soccer for women in Canada.
A great moment, good enough to propel us into the Fall and beyond.
So, we go to Dartmouth and I'm delighted to stop working for a few days. Just the break is good. A chance to look around for ideas and products to help with the Cape George project.
Friday we visit family: Frank Tomscha who's in better shape than the last time we met; Jessica and her new baby; Kevin who's recovering from a recent fall; Terry, his son, is onhand. Then out to meet Doris Horne, an old friend of the Dunn family, who introduces us to her large family, her paintings (rather good), her dogs, her lakeside cottage with a roof like ours... A fine day really. Not a drill or hammer in sight.
Saturday we meet up with Mary MacLeod, an old friend from the 70s and York University, who is in fine shape apart from a broken sternum sustained while moving a table! Then on to the Market, to talk to a wood man and discuss wine with people from the Valley, buy Dutch cheese and look at NASCAD students' work. Pouring and we love the rain: makes me think of a full well. Then more galleries and supper with Frances and off to brother Colin's for an evening's entertainment.
And so back to the Cape, to the Makita drills, to the glorious developing garden, to fresh Cape Breton vegetables and hyper-fresh fish and I sweat my 8-hour shift making walls and insulating. We eat fresh fist and corn. And swim in the pond.
Getting there.
Monday, 6 August 2012
6 August: USA 4 Canada 3
So if there was a team of craftsmen working on this house we'd be done in a month: as it is, I am slowly working my way through the jobs. For now it's to finish the floors and I basically finish them by this Monday, a few hours before we all pile into Anne-Marie's Ford 150 and roll down to MacBouch for the game. Canada goes ahead 1 2 then 3 with a Sinclair hat-trick only to have the referee make a bizarre call giving the USA a penalty in the dying minutes of the game. Bravo for Canada, but we feel awful at the result... Rhian and her team must be heart-broken. No trip to Wembley for the gold medal game: it's back to Coventry for bronze...
And I have to finish off the bedroom and bathroom floors tomorrow morning before moving on to the walls. I'd like to have two moree walls up before we take off for Dartmouth and 3 days in the big city of Halifax/Dartmouth...
And I have to finish off the bedroom and bathroom floors tomorrow morning before moving on to the walls. I'd like to have two moree walls up before we take off for Dartmouth and 3 days in the big city of Halifax/Dartmouth...
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