Skin on Frame Workshop

Preparations for Winter Skin on Frame Workshop are now well under way...  much coffee has been consumed and animated debate regarding hull characteristics and rolling capability have resulted in the mark VII version about to be rolled out!

Nice clean lines... gentle sheer

A highly modified Tom Yost Sea Rider design is now ready for construction.

Arieta and Grandpa approve!

High quality Western Red Cedar (Milled from pristine 6.4m planks), local plantation grown Hoop Pine and CNC cut frames will be assembled in ten days by the Two and a half Revs along with half a dozen assorted neophyte Kayak Builders in the Factory

50 x 19mm Gunnels being readied

They go in rough sawn and come out smooth!

6 Iqyaks worth of timber!

Safety equipment is of course highly utilised...

Nice timber!

Measure twice... cut once!

Ahhh... the Holly Green Workshop fully utilised!

Should be a whole lot of fun!!! 

Watch this space...

Beautifully posed, boys!

As an aside - when we get the chance we like to have a special brekky on Saturday morning. 

 This morning Cathy and I are proud to announce and in fact were delighted to find the gift of not one, or even two, but in fact three sets of twins willing to sacrifice themselves for the breakfast table... with freshly roasted and superbly blended Ugandan/Ethiopian coffee it was hard to beat!

Another urban sighting - and a treat for a cooperative fellow

Success means a sighting of Ozzie exiting and re-entering the lower apartment complex earlier tonight. Whether that means that 'mum' is occupying the upper level unit or that they are still cohabiting in the lower unit has not been discerned... Needless to say that as soon as Ozzie saw me he/she scarpered along an outlying cedar limb and within a short space of time I heard noises in the garage... he (let's take a guess at the gender) was back on the starboard shelving waiting for the apple treat he could smell was coming (see photo).

 Having renewed acquaintances and exchanged brief pleasantries, I retired to the warmth of the house, in the hope that Ozzie got the message. After a reasonable interlude I ventured outdoors again and sure enough he was hard at work demolishing the remaining apple slices which had been strategically placed near his new abode.

No doubt we will still encounter one another along the way, but we are hopeful his new home will continue to appeal and that the garage becomes his local cafe rather than his place of fixed residence...

Bespoke accommodation and summary evictions...

Well... it appears that Ozzie is in fact 'Junior' (of indeterminate sex) now that 'Mother' has made an appearance.

Not sure where Ozzie's precociousness has sprung from, but curious he/she is allowing us to approach closely without any apparent fear of bipedal humanity.  Mother, naturally, is a little more circumspect and scuttles carefully away as dusk deepens.

Given the overcrowding issue in the sole kayak space available - plus the inevitable sanitation undesirables emanating from long-term occupancy... I decided to create some split-level alternative accommodation adjacent to their existing flat.

As you can see... multi-level bespoke apartment dwelling with protective baffles and non-skid entranceway... no expense spared!

After the construction phase was completed, further incentives for future occupants included:

• a trail of apple portions leading to the finely tooled circular entrance points
• a re-arrangement of existing accommodation involving a 180 degree rotation of former kayak accommodation and strategic location of plywood cover to negate re-entry
• indeed, a 180 deg rotation of all other kayaks to preclude a transfer of occupancy to a similar space

As you can see, the re-location to the stand of cedars immediately adjacent their former residence offers magnificent views and is handy to both food supplies and wide open spaces... what's not to like?

We shall see in the days to come whether this offer of new premises has been taken up...