Busy, busy, busy.  Grab a cold one.

Last Wednesday started off with a beautiful sun rise.

X marks the center of the universe.

Conspiracy trail?

A little ice starting on our shore.

Looks like some thin ice at Bill's point.

I'm still working on the grouse feeding from my hand.

These two will occasionally take a seed, but if their beak touches my hand they run off. There is nothing funnier than watching them run. Basically they throw themselves at the ground and just keep on falling. They must have read "The Guide". 

So, I saw on facebook that No-show Richie was coming to Lil' Tomiko. You know that you can't believe everything you read on line, but I decided to check out the rumour. I blasted around the corner into the narrows when I had to slam on the brakes 'cause of ICE! Where did that come from?

The ice averaged about an inch thick. I stayed close to shore and went from spring hole to spring hole.

That's the immature eagle over Richie's. I don't know what surprised him more, me breaking ice, or seeing No-show.

I had to plow a trail to Richie's. Yeah. I know. Every year I say that I'm going to treat the Lowe Rider better and take her out earlier, but, honestly I didn't see this ice coming.

Chateau Thibeault. 

Richie built a rocket stove. Try getting THAT thru customs!

It works! The principle is OK, it's just has to be a little bigger.

Going home I followed my broken trail.

Back at the center. It must be my warm and generous smile and sunny disposition that keeps the center ice free so long. another view of Bill's point

Thursday morning I 4wheeled over to Richie's and then on to the Estate to resuscitate a printer.  Look SILs! The duck is still there!

 Ice way past Richie's point.

When I got home I decided it was time to take the boat and dock out.

Going smoothly, so far.

It takes a little Frankensteining when yer solo. 

Never underestimate the power of a devious mind, or, gimme a big enough lever...

High and dry, just before dark. That was a lot of work, as the Newfies say, I was beat to a snot. Or, as Led Zeppelin say, I was bruised and contused, . isn't that what they say?

Clean up tomorrow.

Friday.  See? I was nice to her. I made a frame to hold up the tarp. She should be nice and comfy this winter.

Man! Check out the snow! It just started coming down a half hour ago! Just in time delivery.

This morning.  The colours are kind of bluish, too early, not enough light yet, I'm thinkin'.

Check out the ice forming behind the boat.

Very pretty, huh? 

A couple of hours later I tried to get a pic of my water line burping in winter mode, but the snow hampers the view. The burp is just to the right of the buoy. 

 

There are a couple of things that I don't like about winter. Snow on my panels, and maybe the shorter solar hours.

And, I don't like that lump of snow that sticks on your toe when you take off that second boot.

Some snow funnies, for your viewing pleasure. 

 

 And one last funny for the SILs, as they YAKETY YAK in the kitchen while the men folk watch the hockey game.