Kimler Adventure Pages (http://randsco.com)

A Motor for Pugwis

Blue Peter Marine - "Pugwis" (or, as called by Randsco staff - "Pugly the Ugly"), is a welded-aluminum shrimping skiff. We reported it's arrival to the Hutton house in early spring. She's been in for repairs and has recently returned, with a brand spanking new, 25-horsepower, 4-stroke engine, firmly attached to her stern.

Brand New Mercury 4-stroke engine: Pugwis has a new prop at her tail end - a 25-horse, energy-star outboard motor! _{Randsco Newswire}

The stalwart vessel has been in dry-dock at Blue Peter Marine, in Nanaimo. There, she's been serviced and waiting for the arrival of a brand new, 3-star, 4-stroke Mercury outboard motor.

(As a bit of trivia, "Blue Peter" is a blue nautical flag with a white square in the center. When it's flown alone, in harbor, it's a signal that all persons should report on board - that the vessel is ready to set sail.)

Randsco staff have yet to 'set sail' in Pugly. They've only just returned (and recovered) from their 75-kilometer hike along the West Coast Trail. (Yeah, a journal is in the works on that, complete with pictures and maps. Chill!)

"We're excited about getting Pugly back," said Rachel. "It means we can now catch crab and prawns, or get into serious nautical trouble!"

None of the Randsco staff are nautically inclined, though all are willing to learn. Let's just say that the Oop has about as much nautical experience as Scott and Rachel - combined! Perhaps this post should be more a warning to fellow Ladysmith and Nanaimo boaters? Watch out! Some rank greenhorns are about to enter your waters!!

Either way ... Randsco Rag staff and guests are looking forward to many happy hours in the newly revamped "Pugwis".

"One of the things we're excited about," said Scott, Randsco editor in Chief, "is that the 4-stroke engine has been reported to get three to four hours of motoring, on only five gallons of gas." (This is good news for planned trips to the floating cabin out in Barkley Sound, which involve about an hour's ride from Port Alberni. More news on this exciting development, will follow).

The new motor has been generously provided by Rachel's parents (Syd and Judith Pilley), who happen to be away on vacation in Ontario, at the moment and likely to miss the "Pugwis" christening. (Just as well, as Scott's worried enough about sinking both the boat AND the van, during the launch).

Happy House Revamping

Hutton House Property - Alex has her own abode on the Hutton House estate. It's appropriately called the "Happy House".

Unfortunately, the "Happy House" is looking more "Sad" these days, as a result of neglect, the effects of winter storms and general decay.

As part of the ongoing efforts to spruce up the property, Scott has begun the process of adding a bit more "happy" into the "Happy House".

BEFORE: Alex is pictured in front of the Happy House, in this "before" photo. Expect more pictures and progress updates to follow._{Randsco Newswire}

Starting last week, the Randsco Editor-in-Chief, has donated over 15 man-hours to the betterment of the structure. It all began with trimming branches off of nearby Cedar trees, so that the "Happy House" could be seen from the main house. It was followed up by leveling the structure, using a hydraulic jack and cement blocks, minimizing any ground-to-wood contact.

"In fact, the "Happy House" is now completely separated from the forest duff, with concrete blocking," reports Scott, sweating from his labors.

In addition to clearing and leveling, Scott has also added a new window to the house, so that Alex can see out. (All of the interior windows were positioned too high for the vertically-challenged child, so the new window is positioned low enough, that Alex can see the main house, from within her play structure).

"It won't end there," say Scott. "I'm planning on painting, adding a porch and maybe even electricity!"

Slow down there, cow poke! One step at a time.

After the leveling, the front door is too high for Alex to climb into. Originally, stairs were planned, but after a fit of construction frenzy, Scott is on about adding a porch (and expanding the roof to make it a covered porch).

"It'd be a lot safer that way," he argued, to Rachel.

"Hey, it's important to you ... so go for it!" she replied.

Regardless of the final outcome, the "Happy House" is receiving a bit of needed attention and Alex will soon have a happier play structure, as a result.

Stay tuned for developing news about Alex's "Happy House" renovation.