Hugh was delighted when Mark volunteered/agreed to the awesome Father's Day gift of helping get the dock in the still very cold water. Having not done it before, this was a bit of a challenge but they were ultimately successfully in getting it placed in its new location at the side of the deck where access will be much easier with no steep stairs and steep ramp. After Mark warmed up from an extended period of time in the frigid water, they posed with Meg for this photo. The dock is barely visible behind them. Hugh is still trying to warm up and he was only in the water for a couple of minutes! And then Mark and Meg cooked us a yummy dinner to cap off a most productive and enjoyable Father's Day 2019. 

Ken, Michelle and the kids stopped by mid-afternoon for a quick visit en route to their cottage but I neglected to take any photos. The deck was awesome for all of us including 4 dogs, and the Popsicles.

The next week Hugh proceeded to construct additional sections of wooden walkway to access the dock. And he ultimately got the ladder back in position. We are very pleased with it!

We purchased a boat 2 years ago and have been enjoying it mainly at Ken and Michelle's cottage on Centennial Lake. It's been otherwise parked in our barn or yard at the farm.
After much research and expert advice Hugh concluded that we need a boat lift due to the high winds that can arise on Calabogie Lake. So then this arrived in our side yard.

On July 6th Hugh and Ken brought the boat to Calabogie with the intention of parking it in its trailer in our yard. That plan somehow changed - perhaps after the chance arrival of this video from my cousin Tom Z at lunch time that day.

So neighbour brothers Frank and Andrew were quickly enlisted to help Hugh and Ken get the boat lift into the water. With a little ingenuity and a lot of brawn, they were successful and rather quickly too. 

Ken then headed home to Kanata on his bike - I dropped him off in Burnstown - and on my return the boat went in at the nearby boat launch, and soon afterwards arrived at our dock.

The afternoon was capped off with a lovely boat ride along the north and west shores to the far side of the lake where the water was rather choppy - apparently not uncommon for that side of the lake - and then back home and put away in the lift.

After a very long winter, spring finally arrived and we were able to turn our attention to the outside of our "lake home". 

Once the ice and snow finally melted the temporary plastic shelter was removed and we can finally see the entire road side exterior wall. Hugh also planted some grass seed which has come along very well.

The first exterior project was the deck railing. It was not at all to code (a couple of horizontal 2 x 4's).
Fortunately Tim and his (and Amy's) 2 young daughters came north to visit us in early June, and Tim was an eager participant in this project. 

First step was to remove the old railing.

They worked diligently on the deck all week and completed the large posts, most of the wooden framework, and a few sections of the spindles.

The girls enjoyed watching their dad and grandfather from bug free comfort.

Tim celebrated their accomplishments with a chilly swim (accompanied by Holly) on the last day. 

Hugh carried on with a little assistance from me and completed the railing.

A major change in the deck design was to remove the steps and ramp from the lake side of the deck to the dock, and relocate the dock access to the side of the deck. With the addition of a gate at that side of the deck, the deck can now be fully enclosed to corral dogs and children. (More about the dock in the next post!.)
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We are delighted with the finished deck!