Anola - July 28

Anola - July 28
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Boating friends arrived today. Their boat, Sea Angel, is rafted up against a large gillnetter awaiting the fish opening on the first of August. The docks are very full at this time with fishboats and cruising boats.

Steam Box

Steam Box
Originally uploaded by sointula.

This ingenious steam box is heated with an old water heater tank, a grass burner and a propane cylinder. A gorgeous plank of purple heart wood lies beneath. It will become a part of the gunnel rail on a large fishboat undergoing restoration.

Teddies

Teddies
Originally uploaded by sointula.

A fishboat is decorated in streamers and a wide variety of teddies in what has been described as "payback time". The owner is up fishing in Prince Rupert on another boat. Wonder what the fisherman did to the decorator!

Movin' Fast - July 28

Movin' Fast - July 28
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Even though they started laying the glass matting early in the morning, the heat of the day soon had the crew working at a speedy pace. The crew left at the end of the day tired and in need of some down time. It was a very hard, hot day. The main deck looks great though. The side decks need to be completed and the coloured gel coat is still to come.

South View - July 27

South View - July 27
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Summer clouds predict another nice day ahead.

Friends Test the Deck - July 27

Friends Test the Deck - July 27
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Visiting from down island, our friends check out the view. By this time the fog had cleared and it was quite hot.

Visit - July 27

Visit - July 27
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Our friends stop by with some lunch.

Fog Rising 10 am- July 27

Fog Rising 10 am- July 27
Originally uploaded by sointula.

By ten in the morning, the fog was rapidly clearing. It would turn out to be a very hot day.

Morning Fog

Morning Fog
Originally uploaded by sointula.

July 27- The morning walk found the shore and water beyond enveloped in a soft light blanket of fog. We heard the familiar blow sounds of whales nearby. Three humpacks were feeding in the kelp beds right off the shore. As we hurried down to the beach we saw the always exciting- spyhopping, showing of flukes and the slow arch of backs before a dive. My camera, without a telephoto could not do justice to the real thing. This photo, with the whales out of sight beyonf the small skiff still sets the scene. It was magical. a rower with dog in a small boat exclaimed "holy cr**!". We shared his sentiment if not his exact phrasing.

Battered Eagle - July 27

Battered Eagle - July 27
Originally uploaded by sointula.

As we approached Rough Bay on our morning walk, this seemingly exhausted eagle did not budge as we came close. He was muddy and ruffled. He may have had an accident or a nasty fight with a large fish. Eagles dive and grab salmon and other animals using their razor sharp talons. Their talons cannot release the prey until they are ashore. if the fish is too heavy, the eagle may fall back into the water with writhing fish in tow. It must then fight its way to shore awkwardly flopping its wings to stay afloat.

West Deck July 26th

West Deck July 26th
Originally uploaded by sointula.

The posts are in and the beams positioned. Three of the joists are up at the end of the day.

West Deck

West Deck
Originally uploaded by sointula.

A beam is slipped in between the two twenty foot posts on the west deck.

West Deck Posts

West Deck Posts
Originally uploaded by sointula.

One of the twenty foot posts is pulled up and positioned.

South Deck

South Deck
Originally uploaded by sointula.

The front deck gets a coat of resin.

Yet Another Landscape Ornament

Yet Another Landscape Ornament
Originally uploaded by sointula.

View of the east side of the house on July 25th. Another gorgeous day here. The young buck decorates our rather bleak - but not for long- driveways.

Breakfast Nook View

Breakfast Nook View
Originally uploaded by sointula.

We took the plastic off the window openings and are now beginning to see the townsite and ferry terminal.

Front Window Wall Demolition

Front Window Wall Demolition
Originally uploaded by sointula.

The old plywood is beginning to be removed to makeway for the wall of windows. The deck will receive its first coat of fiberglass tomorrow morning.

South View

South View
Originally uploaded by sointula.

The view is opening up from what will be the living room.

Net Lofts

Net Lofts
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Drove down to the docks today. More fishboats have come in. Looks like there may be a local opening for salmon this week. Other boats are up around Prince Rupert and some are out on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Coop Hardware Store

Coop Hardware Store
Originally uploaded by sointula.

This store looks like something out of the distant past. It definitely has that feel inside too but it is well stocked and friendly.

Another Cruise Ship

Another Cruise Ship
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Taken with Jim's new camera. It has a much more powerful zoom than mine. This was taken from our deck

Sointula Ferry

Sointula Ferry
Originally uploaded by sointula.

This ferry travels from Port McNeil to Sointula then back to Port McNeil and on to Alert Bay and so on throughout the day and evening.

View From Street

View From Street
Originally uploaded by sointula.

The house is coming together. There will be another deck on the left side of the house plus a balcony up at the third floor.

Today we continued to put stain on the posts and beams which will be for the left side deck.

Lawn Ornament

Lawn Ornament
Originally uploaded by sointula.

We've had a quiet couple of days reorganizing and reordering materials. Jim arrived tonight with 20 gallons of resin for the deck surface and more paint. Tomorrow will be a painting day. Monday, if the weather continues to be exceptional, the work crew will put the first coat of fiberglass on the deck surface.

The deer have really taken to our soil pile in the lower yard in front of the cottage. This lawn ornament is often accompanied by another a couple of metres away adding a balanced look to our landscaping ;-)

Friends on Ferry Ramp

Friends on Ferry Ramp
Originally uploaded by sointula.

The ferry takes friends, Madeleine and Eileen to Port McNeil.

Side Deck Prep

Side Deck Prep
Originally uploaded by sointula.

The infill access to the east facing deck is prepared for plywood sheathing

View from the New Deck

View from the Deck
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Southeast view July 21, 2005

Big Lake

Big Lake
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Mad, Eileen and I visit the local swimming hole.

Deck - July 21

Deck - July21
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Our deck is really taking shape. More paint is on its way. We will get the colours right this coming weekend and the deck floor fiberglassing will begin next week. We are using fiberglass as our coating of choice because it is a local technology. This is a boating and fishing community. People understand fiberglass here and we do not have to import someone from outside Sointula to apply it. We want a waterproof deck which will allow us a large protected workspace below.

A View

A View From New Deck
Originally uploaded by sointula.

New deck facing Southwest

Laying Plywood

Laying Plywood
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Today the first plywood was set in place and nailed.

Moonrise - July 20

Moonrise-July19
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Full moon tonight.

Sunset Glow

Sunset Glow
Originally uploaded by sointula.

rees on Bere Point glow with the waning sun.

Mad the Tumpeter

Mad the Tumpeter
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Bere Point beach provides friend, Madeleine Humer with an amphitheater for her bull kelp trumpet.

Docks

Docks
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Sointula docks low tide on full moon day

Taste Treat

Eileen's Taste Treat
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Friends visit. Here Eileen enjoys Mad's homemade loganberry and blueberry pie. Good to the very last lick!

Buck Relaxing

Buck Relaxing
Originally uploaded by sointula.

One of the local bucks relaxing outside the cottage window.

Side Deck Taking Shape

Side Deck Taking Shape
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Joists for the lower part of the deck go in.

Side Deck Posts

Side Deck Posts
Originally uploaded by sointula.

The side deck begins to take form.

Side View

Side View
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Landscaping via excavator and deck construction is changed the house looks.

Ma and Pa Bikes

Ma and Pa Bikes
Originally uploaded by sointula.

My island transportation is very easy and fun to drive. Both are Tomas mopeds. 48cc requiring just a regular driver's license, helmet and insurance. Last fill up cost me $2.10! The milk crate packs groceries to our place while I enjoy the ride.

Side Deck

measure-side_deck.JPG
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Jim and Chris plan the side deck.

Rear Excavation

Rear Excavation
Originally uploaded by sointula.

The rear yard and entry becomes defined. Art and Jim discuss the 10 percent grade, the steps from below and upper parking area. Art is quite the sculptor- very precise and creative using an excavator as his major tool.

Windows to Door

Windows to Door
Originally uploaded by sointula.

The windows enter their new home.

Windows

Windows
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Removing the windows from the trailer. Jim will continue to up bring more.

Moon 9:30 PM

Moon 9:30 PM
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Sunday night view.

Jim Paints... and Paints

Jim Paints... and Paints
Originally uploaded by sointula.

The deck will last many years more if all the wood is painted on all sides. I have temporarily stripped off my gloves and have picked up the camera, but if you use your imagination, you will see me painting away on the timbers laying on the sawhorses. We went through over 6 gallons of stain today ran out of the post colour and used the lighter beam colour. All the cedar will need at least one or two more coats so we will eventually have all the colours in their righful places.

Jim Painting the Outer Columns

Jim Painting the outer columns
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Jim is painting the posts. At the moment they are not trimmed but need to be sealed to keep the wood from checking.

What a View!

What a View!
Originally uploaded by sointula.

The view is really spectacular from there. Tomorrow more posts will go in and soon laying the plywood for the deck will begin.

Front Windows

Front Windows
Originally uploaded by sointula.

Jim came up with a few of our front windows. At the moment they are sitting in a neighbour's drive. Tomorrow morning, the work crew will help take them into the upstairs of the house.