1 January 2014
Closing the cottage
Exterior:
- Turn off the hot water switch after you’ve used what you want for showers and/or dishes. It will stay warm for quite a while. When you don’t need to get hot water from the faucet, drain the tank with a hose from the bottom going as far as possible away from the house down towards the cabin and tool shed.
- Remove outhaul from the water and put a white marker on the end. Take the rope and buoy off the outhaul and store in the tool shed. Leave the chain pointing towards the dock.
- Put the motor on the dolly and attach the hose with the black clamp to run water into the engine as it is running to clean out salt water. Wash off motor, boats and everything else before storing. Motor goes into the tool shed/cabin.
- Take down the clothes line, hammock, bird feeder, Swift sign and drain and coil hoses to be stored.
- Bring in folding chairs, white bench and door mats – place in living room.
- Mouse-proof the door to the water heater shed. Remove anything that could be used as mouse bedding, firmly close door, put a small board at the base of the door and put a large rock against it to keep it there.
- Put buckets, trash barrels and good carts in the tool shed.
- Remove all keys from side of the refrigerator and pull key from gutter – hang in all keys in the tool shed to the left of the workbench.
- Ensure windows are shut tight and close shutters; put the large piece of plywood in front of the living room window.
- Check to make sure all doors are locked tight: both doors of the cabin, tool shed and boat house (make sure garage door can’t be raised)
Interior:
- Pull all pillows and put in bureau. Place all woolen blankets in cedar chest.
- Empty the refrigerator – making sure to check butter compartment, drawers etc. Wipe clean. Turn off, unplug and leave door propped open.
- Remove all trash and recyclables and take them home. Make sure all wastebaskets are empty and washout kitchen wastebasket with soapy water. (Trash can be taken to transfer station on Thomas Lander’s Road for a small fee – not open on Labor Day).
- Unplug phones from the answering machine – plug phone directly into the wall.
- Remove screens from windows in living and dining room and bathroom so you can secure the windows with hook and eye latches.
- Clean coffee maker using a little bit of bleach if it needs it and then cover with a plastic bag.
- Clean bathroom and shower stall, sweep all floors and vacuum.
- Empty sugar bowl.
- Take home any cleaners or other liquids that might freeze.
- Take all food home except spices and sugar and flour jars.