This post is a complete departure from design, decor, or renovation. It is about a slice of life on Folly Cove. On Father’s Day, Heather and daughters gave David a rowboat christened “Howlet” to putter around Folly Cove. The plan was to launch the boat from a series of large flat rocks that stair step down to the sea, just below and to the left of the house. The boat arrived with much fan fare and excitement all around. With some sunny days earlier this week, the family put the boat to good use, a perfect diversion for the out-of-school-for-the-summer teens. While their daughters were given instructions about the use of the boat, the lesson about the phenomenon of tides seems to have been forgotten.

The vagabond vessel

On a recent foggy morning, David rose early to go for a quick fishing trip before work, only to discover that the boat was missing.  Had it been stolen, taken for a joy ride or washed out to sea?  Turns out the tide had carried it across the cove and lodged it on the rocky shoreline. David and Heather brainstormed about the boat’s retrieval and, as David was now late for work, Heather was pressed into service for the rescue. The teenagers were all asleep upstairs blissfully unaware of the nautical drama. Heather briefly considered waking them and having them swim in the frigid North Atlantic waters to retrieve the boat, but her maternal instincts won out.

The dinghy had lodged in the rocks in a very private area of Folly Cove with large estates and well tended gardens sweeping down to precipitously steep rocks. With oars (and blond curls) over her shoulder, fog horns moaning in the background, she set out toward the spot where she thought she saw the baby boat wedged among the rocks. Cutting back and forth across the lawns and gardens of several estates with nervous glances up to the windows of the houses, she expected to hear a shot gun blast at any moment or at least see snarling attack dogs released from their pens to bring down the unwanted intruder.

Slip slidin' away

The boat had come to rest in a tiny, rocky, slippery inlet. Using the oars like ski poles for balance, she made her way down the steep slimy rocks and tide pools to the errant craft. Emptying the boat of water while it was being battered by the waves proved to be an awkward task. Calling upon her inner stevedore, Heather flipped the boat to empty the water, then lifted and shoved the dinghy towards the open water. After much intake of liquid into her footwear, the boat was free and she rowed against the tide across the cove to home. Another adventure experienced and mystery solved, Heather channeling Nancy Drew.

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