Our new Skipper

Our new puppy quickly became the skipper, of both our boat and life when she joined us earlier this year. Now, at eight months old, she has become very efficient and vocal about taking charge and giving us Skipper's orders. One bark to go out, one bark to come in and don't be too slow about opening the door either, or, she'll let you know you're not fast enough. 

As is typical for a miniature English Bull Terrier, she is very intelligent, strong, active, stubborn and some might say, obstinate!  We are glad we were able to move her off the boat and into the house when she was four months as she needs lots of floor space for all her toys and balls, especially balls. She must have 2-3 available at all times. One, sometimes two, in the mouth and another one or two to bat around with her front paws at the same time. She's really got her soccer moves down to a science. Hopefully, she'll remember her early days as a 'boat dog' in time for our next cruise.

Training is ongoing, she's been through two rounds of obedience classes. It's still a work in progress but she is improving. House training and sleeping through the night were easy wins. Belt chewing, clothes-tugging, play nipping weren't. As she matures, her activity level is slowing a bit, but, when she gets her hyperactive 'zoomies' on, look out as there's no stopping her then. 

It's been a challenge but we're enjoying her immensely. Hope you enjoy these pictures.

At 6-1/2 weeks, she's the one in the middle of the row...

(Photo Credit: Axelbelle Kennels)

At two months: Pickup at YVR, she flew in from Ontario.

At 2-1/2 months: First hike.

At four months: enjoying her first backpacking trip to San Josef Bay and discovering sand beaches!

At 4-1/2 months...

At five months, loving Brady Beach at Bamfield...

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House Build - We are in!

 I wrote this in my last house build post on October 29, 2022

"...we do feel that the end is at least in sight now. Maybe three more months should do it"

Ha! It took another seven, long, excruciating months. We finally moved in on June 1, 2023. We love the finished product, but, are we glad to see the end of construction. It took way too long and cost way too much. If we'd known just how long and how much we probably wouldn't have started.

We purchased the building lot in January 2021. As I wrote in The Phantom House it took almost a year to get the project off the ground and almost 2-1/2 years start to "finish". Site preparation started in February 2022 and from there it was a fifteen month slog for the actual house build. The structure had many prefabricated components (wall panels and trusses). I'd still recommend this form of build instead of "stick-built" on-site as it offers quality, precision-built materials and theoretically anyway, a quicker build process.

Although we weren't "hands-on" that much during the structure build, most of which required skilled labour, there was much work of another kind that did take up most of our mental energies and time. Design, product research, budgeting, sourcing, purchasing/order logistics of the finishing materials was more problematic than expected as we were committed to building small (for North America anyway), energy-efficient and low-maintenance. After all, we've been living on boats for the last thirteen years and in just a 26 ft. boat (our Nordic Tug 26) for the last two. Anything larger than 250 sq ft would seem palatial to us (and it does). We learned that building small in North America is actually more difficult (and expensive) than building large (the norm). It took forever to source out "stuff" that would fit our design parameters. Most of our products ended up being of European design (think $$). We wanted to build quality rather than quantity and I think we achieved that. The main living area is just 922 sq. ft. with a lower-level guest suite of 250 sq. ft. The bonus is the attached double garage. The space suits us perfectly.

Rather than continuing to whinge, after all we have been very privileged to custom-build a house designed just for us, we'll let a few photos show the result. We are very much enjoying living in this central Vancouver Island location, close to the ocean and so close to nature yet with all the conveniences of urban life. It's nice to have a home base again, having an address makes life so much easier. As with any house there will be ongoing projects, the landscaping still needs major attention, but, it's nice to be able, once again, to think of future projects that don't involve house building!

(Photo Credit: Oakehart Construction)

The captivating view is ever-changing. Every few weeks a container ship arrives into Port Alberni's deep water port and we can see the logs being loaded. The small-craft marina where we keep our boat is just down the hill within walking distance as are some very nice shops and restaurants.

The self-contained guest suite is approximately 250 sq. ft. and has a separate entrance.

This massive retaining wall, a necessary, unexpected cost was definitely a budget-breaker.

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