Like this:

My neighbour Adrian from up the Strath called in at lunchtime today to help me out with a glut of apples and for a chat about the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project. It was far too wet and windy to be doing anything constructive in the garden, or anywhere else come to that.  He thinks, as I do, that Ullapool is an ideal location for one (or more) of the St Ayles Skiff’s to be based. Knowing that I had been lucky enough to have a small part in the prototype build down in Fife he came to pick what passes for my brain. Looks as though Ullapool No1 is well on the way to having enough support for start to be made in the near future (Any Loch Broom interest to be directed to Adrian – the more the merrier). Whilst we were putting the world to rights mention was made of the new build down in the Cowshed at Leckmelm Farm – Adrian was on his way down there to fettle the stem a little – so I took the opportunity to wander down and see what was going on. A rather gorgeous Sjekte was sitting planked up and awaiting timbering, built of larch, she sat glowing gently under the lights. I grabbed a few snaps whilst I was there and had a good look at the build techniques and came to the conclusion that it was probably something I might aspire to do in the future. Comparing the cost of Larch to the current cost of the ply I use I was struck by just how much more economic a build in ‘real’ wood could be. The other factor worth considering is the environmental impact – we are lucky to be able to source reasonable quality timber within a sixty mile radius, much better than hauling ply 600 miles up from Bristol plus all the energy costs of manufacture and shipping to Bristol. So once current stocks are exhausted it will be the way for me to go – I think. I was delighted to find my nose telling me that my preaching the virtues of  Varnol as a timber finishing agent is bearing fruit – following Adrians lovely restoration of an antique Thames Gig using the magic fluid to bring life back to some desiccated mahogany he has seen the light – it works just as well on new wood – and scents the workshop in a most attractive way. The only downside is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to lay hands on the stuff in this country, so my stocks are going to have to go a long way – I must find out if it is available in the Netherlands before I go over to the Oughtred Rally next Spring. (update – Varnol is available again, follow link in Suppliers panel to the right)

Further ramblings on Adrian’s boat in the cowshed can be found here and here

As usual click on the thumbnail to get the bigger picture

Wet & wetter plus a fair bit of wind, no gardening today.

First snap

Glowing Larch infused with Varnol

Stern, from a grovelling position

Adrian fettling

 

 

 

 

 

 

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