Tree Clearing

Tree Clearing

There are two birch trees near the hammock that are dead and need to be cut down. David and John are agreed that any successful plan to remove these trees will involve two essential elements.

1) Beer.

2) Paul. To wit, in some circumstance of imminent peril, possibly on top of a long extension ladder with a chain saw, or holding a rope and pulling the tree in the direction we want it to fall, while others cut it down.

Any additional suggestions will be appreciated.

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July 31, 2006

Actually, there are - or were - three trees that were dead and needed to be removed. While at the cottage I noticed that one of the trees which held one end of the swings near the barbeque was also dead. In fact, it had essentially already succumbed to gravity and was only upright because some other tree's branches were providing it with physical - rather than moral - support. Since this tree was within an eyelash of the Colbourn's property line and a stack of construction materials they have lining the fence, my mouth watered at the chance to do some damage.

The experience was enlightening especially with regard to future tree cutting. In this case I cut through the tree at about shoulder level, then smacked the trunk with a sledge hammer. This is good practice; don't you always see pictures of real lumber jacks hitting trees with sledge hammers?

Anyway, the tree came down exactly the same height as the saw cut and remained standing, only about five feet shorter than it was. The rest of trunk lay across my feet. So I went through the same process again and the tree went exactly where I, at least publicly, didn't want it to go. The video will appear on America's Funniest Home Videos in the coming months. I jumped around like a cricket on a griddle as the tree dropped from it's perch, then did a perfect swan dive across the fence and into the pile of whatever tubes, wood and metal the Colbourns hold precious.

Would have taken a stick of dynamite to cause any harm to the Colbourn's property though, so no (significant) damage done.

I will have ideas on what to do with the other trees once we have picked up the beer. - John

Work Done by John (and Gael)

Beach

Following excellent leadership by Elizabeth and David(?), John thinks we have reclaimed our beach, or most of it at anyrate. The process was tedious, but John dug out most of the weeds and grass which had not been already dealt with by David and Elizabeth. While there is still more to do, John thinks the place has a better feel to it. He also dragged most of what was dug up to the back of the cottage and deposited it between the parking area and the road. Should anyone ever need a tan but be disinclined to sit near the boathouse, there is plenty of sandy beach at the back now. We may even have enough for beach volleyball, much like when we first purchased the place.

John suspects much of the new look for the beach is cosmetic and at least some of the green stuff will grow back. However perhaps we have learned our lesson; the price of a great looking water-front property is to remain ever vigilant. A bit of work each year may help us keep things looking good.

John also suggests that people who engage in further beach weeding remember that there is an electric cable that runs under the sand from the boathouse to the night lights near the barbeque.

Back Steps

Having watched in admiration as Gabe fell down the back steps in 2006 while holding his bicycle in his arms, John thought he might try to secure them better so they wouldn't wobble when you were carrying a greater load than necessary. So the steps are now fastened to the supporting wall and, while they will not withstand a determined effort to dislodge them, they may make a night time arrival less eventful.

Clothes Lines

Tired of having rust stains and catch marks on most of her clothes, Gael replaced all the clothes lines at the cottage with newer nylon cord and new clothes pins.

Boat Repairs

Motorboat

In 2006 David repaired the rear starboard corner of the motorboat, which had disintegrated a little. The metal part to which the rope attaches had come loose. David used bondo Fiberglass Repair Kit, available from Home Hardware in Lakefield. Due to certain errors in calculation, there are no resin or hardener left, although there is enough fiberglass mat remaining to build another boat. This is stored in the locker. David replaced the three bolts, which are 2 1/2" machine screws. The oversized washers are called fender washers, also available from Home Hardware. There is an extra bolt and some washers in the plastic storage container in the boathouse.

Canoe

David used bondo Body Filler to fill in the space between the gunwales. and got about 3/4 of it done, including the worst spots, before it ran out. If it seems to work we can fill in the rest another time. Applied two coats of Miniwax Helmsman Spar Urethane (Improved Formula!), newly bought for the purpose. Nearly a full can remains. If this doesn't work we may have to consider fiberglass on the gunwales also.

Other Expenses

Motor. We take the motor to Haultain Service, whose address is Woodview but they are north on Highway 28 from our road. Normally when we store it there they winterize it, and in the spring they replace the spark plugs and gear oil and grease the motor and lubricate the unit plug washers (whatever those are) and replace the cotter pin and make sure it starts. Storage used to cost $70 but in 2006 went up to $75 and in 2008 to $80.00. Added to that are parts and taxes. Parts are apt to vary slightly from year to year. In 2005 we had the water pump replaced for $103.50 parts and labour, plus taxes. We bought the motor in 1997 at Paris Marine for $2,195-$50 (trade in) = $2,145

Chimney Sweep. In 2003 we used Jeff Martin, who charged us $85.55. I have no idea who Jeff Martin is, I just have the name.

Appliances and Furniture. In 2009 mother spent $214.09 on a new garbage bin.

John and Gale bought the electric heater in the living room in 2008 for approximately $100.00

John and Gael arranged for us to buy the refrigerator in May 2004. It had a list price of $689.99 although taxes and charges for delivery and removal of old fridge rounded it up to $800.

Miscellaneous Expenses:

• 2010. Paul spent over $100, which we rounded off, on various cottage related expenses, again including raccoon related expenses.
  
• 2009. John spent $138.06 on materials to rebuild the barbecue. Mother spent$109.65 on paint.
  
• 2006. Mother spent $34.21 on materials to repair the garbage bin.
• 2005. Mother spent $68.98 for paint for the canoe, at Adventure Outfitters in Lakefield.
• 2003. Mother spent $75.27 on locks.

Phone. We do not share this. Mother still pays it. We have to settle any long distance costs with her.

Insurance

Our policy is with State Farm. We deal with the Brian Mulligan Insurance Agency in Peterborough, 273 Hunter Street West, Unit 12, (705) 749-5424. Our policy is renewed on March 10 every year.

Reassessment 2011:

In 2011 our coverage was reassessed through an on site visit by our broker, and as a result, our coverage was increased from $113,300 to $152,000, with a corresponding increase in our premium.

CURRENT COVERAGE:

We have the following coverage, which is current for 2011:

• dwelling (cottage) $155,500 (our coverage is automatically increased each year, according to inflation)
• dwelling extension (boathouse) $15,500 (10% of dwelling coverage)
• personal property $85,525 (55% of dwelling coverage)
  
• personal liability $1,000,000
• damage to property of others $500
• medical payments to others $5,000

We increased the personal liability from $500,000 for a mere increase of $10.00 in our premium. Personal property coverage is automatically set at 55% of cottage coverage, and cannot be reduced, and even if it were reduced the saving would be minimal.

Boats are covered automatically if they are 16' or less, for up to $1,000 a boat. For boats longer than 16', or if we want coverage greater than $1,000, we need to take out a boat policy, which would add roughly $100 to our premium. Our green boat with the outboard motor is 14'. If we ever get the fireplace or woodstove going again, we need to advise the insurance company and this may alter our premium.

DEDUCTIBLE:

In 2008 our deductible was increased by State Farm Insurance to $1,000. This may explain why we had a relatively small increase in our premium in that year.

It had previously been $500. At that time we were able to set the deductible at $500, or 1/2%, 1%, 2%, or 3% of the dwelling coverage. In 2004 I calculated that increasing our deductible to 1% of the dwelling coverage would have saved us approximately $60 a year on our premium. Thus, if we made a claim in the next nine or so years, and had to pay a deductible of $1,066 instead of $500, we would lose the advantage of the lower premium. Put another way, the 1% deductible would only save us money if we made no claims in the next nine or so years. I circulated this information in 2004 and there was no overwhelming response in favour of increasing the deductible.

CLAIM FREE DISCOUNT:

Because we have not made a claim for 3 years (or ever), we receive a claim free discount of $162.

INFLATION ADJUSTMENT:

Coverage for the cottage is automatically increased every year according to an inflation index. Since coverage is for replacement of the cottage, the index is based on the cost of building a new cottage, which means the cost of contractors and building materials, and this index may be different from the general cost of living inflation index.

In 2003 our cottage coverage was $87,300. By 2007 it had increased by $19,300 or 22% which is probably higher than inflation as measured by the CPI. From 2006 to 2007 the Inflation Coverage Index at the cottage increased from 242.2 to 253.7, whereas in Mississauga it increased by only 2.00%. In 2008 it only increased to 254.9.

Television

Bell ExpressVu Account Information:
The phone number associated with the account is 705-743-5348 (Mother's number, not the cottage number). The address is GD Woodview, Ontario, K0L 3E0. The pin number is just 0520. This pin number allegedly allows us to do transactions, including starting and stopping service, by automated phone service (see below). Security is tighter here than at CSIS. Only mother and David are listed as persons permitted to deal with Expressvu. A number to reach them at is 1-888-759-3474.
Information on the service is available at http://www.bell.ca/shop/PrsShpTv_Landing.page. We can log in to view our account with Username "Thelonious" and password "Mickey05" at that site or http://www.bell.ca/selfcare. Username and password are case sensitive.
Bear in mind when dealing with Bell Sympatico that nothing is ever the same, policies change like the desert sands, and four different representatives will always give you four different answers.
Programming:
We always have the Digital Standard Service which was $27 a month and went up to $31 in February 2007. This includes over 100 channels. We have always also ordered a package of extra channels for those cold wet days and nights when there is nothing else to do.
In 2007 we ordered the Digital Essentials, which added five theme packs to the Digital Standard Service. These theme packs are: News and Learning 1; Sports 1 and 2; Variety 1; and Lifestyle 1. We can add additional theme packs for $5 each. This service does not include the Premium Movies. The cost of this package is: Digital Standard Service at $31.00; 5 themes at $20.00; total cost = $51.00. Our monthly bill, with tax, is $58.14.
In 2006 we changed packages because the one we had previously used no longer existed. We had the "12 Themes and Premium Movies" package. Our 12 themes were; Family 1 and 2, More Movies, Sports 1 and 2, News & Learning 1 and 2, Variety 1, 2 and 3, and Lifestyle 1 and 2. This package costs $61.00 a month, not including the Digital Standard Service. We also had some things called Buzztime Trivia, Kidswise, and Playin Combo. These together cost $14.00 a month. Monthly total when these were all added up was $102.00 a month, not including taxes. There was consensus that this was too expensive.
In 2005 we had the "Ultimate 7" package, which was the basic service plus 7 Theme Packs, plus movies. We paid a total of $73.58.
Suspending and Starting Service:
To suspend service therefore, you go to the site and enter username Thelonious and password mickey05, and then enter the pin number 0520. The site you want is "My Bell".
For 2009-10 service was suspended on November 4 and is scheduled to come back on on May 21, 2010.
We are allowed to suspend service for as little as six weeks and a maximum of seven months (it used to be six months).
We have to suspend the service in the fall. We generally keep it on until after Thanksgiving, in case anyone feels it important to watch Texas lose another big game. It appears that there is a charge of $15 a month if we suspend service through a service representative, but only $10 a month if it is done through the automated service.
Seven months after we turn the service off, the service is turned back on automatically. If we want it turned on earlier we can contact them. We are supposed to be able to do this also through the automated phone service. They say they need 24 hours notice.
When we suspend service we will receive some money back, since when we make our monthly payments we are paying for the month ahead. In 2007 we received a credit at the end of the year of $46.00 but this is not shown in the figures for 2007 but rather was deducted from our first bill in 2008, and so it shows up in 2008, since we are on "real time" accounting.