Work & Relaxation Aug. 12 to 15

Tues. Aug. 12 it was very rainy in Winnipeg and we really wondered if we should even be attempting this trip. However, Hanna desired to go ahead as the roofing material had been ordered and was expected to be delivered to the marina dock where she keeps her boat. So Helmut and I left home very early to first pick up his nephew, Nick, Hanna's son and then to get Hanna. I guess it was about 7:30 when we finally left Winnipeg headed east to ON. The cabin is about 2 1/2 hour drive and then a 10 to 15 minute boat trip to the island.

When we arrived at the marina the materials had not been delivered and when Hanna contacted the company they gave her a real run around. However, after some talking she got a promise from them that they would deliver in an hour and a half. So we loaded all our cargo in her boats and went over to the cabin to get settled and to make lunch.

After lunch Nick & Helmut started doing some of the prep work on the roof. Then a little later the boy from the marina showed up with some of the packages of shingles and Nick took their own boat over to collect the shipment - I think it took him two or three trips. I should have been more on the ball and taken pictures of Nick & Helmut hauling the shingles up the hill from the dock - a very heavy job.

Tues. afternoon and evening Nick & Helmut were able to strip the old roofing off of the north portion of the roof that needed to be redone and put on all the new shingles.

Hanna & I had a paddle around the island at sunset - lots of fun.

Wed. was spent stripping and re-shingling the south side which was a little larger than the north side. Hanna and I bagged all the old stuff in construction weight plastic bags and Hanna hauled by dragging most of them down hill to the dock.

Everyone was good and tired that night and I had a severe back ache that kept me from sleeping until I finally took some pain killers. I was much better by morning.

Thurs. morning Hanna, Nick & Helmut loaded all the old stuff up took it to our big van at the marina and transported it to the dumping place in Kenora - I almost wondered if they got lost it took so long. Abby and I just stayed around the cabin and relaxed. I didn't try any water activities while I was there alone. I can't handle a canoe alone and I didn't want to swim inn a place i wasn't familiar with all on my own. You have a very isolated feeling on an island even when there are other cabins there but they are very distant from one another and some of them were not occupied.

Thurs. afternoon Helmut felt like resting. We took Abby on some long for her walks on the trails. Also I did the trail once alone it takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

Fri. morning Helmut & I went canoeing and swimming and it was really fun and relaxing.

Hanna came home with us on Fri. evening. Nick was staying out and his guy friends were joining him for a bachelor party as he is getting married in Sept.