24th of April.

Did a bit more work on the St Ayles Skiff, two mortises cut for the oarlocks.  Up until now I had only ever cut a stub mortise, which was way back in November at the start of the Navigate Life course and my carpentry has definitely got better since then (check out that ugly joint on the right!)

The first mortise went pretty well.  It opens out a bit at the bottom but given that it’s cut in a section which is about 3 and a half inches thick and a mixture of elm and pine, I think I did okay.  The second one didn’t go quite so well.  A combination of the holes drilled with the forstner bit being a bit out of line and my gallusness (see definition 1 here if you aren’t Scottish) from having cut a good mortise previously caused the second one to be way too big and sloppy.  After a discussion with Ben we decided to epoxy in a couple of shims and I’ll have another crack at it when I’m back in GalGael.

Lesson learned: “Just ‘cos you’ve cut one joint right doesnae mean you can tak a breinge at a second.” (For non-Scots speakers - breinge)

I should point out that this boat belongs to GalGael, has been built almost entirely by trainees and mistakes like the one I’ve made are entirely expected and actually necessary in order to learn.

The last pic here shows the rowing stretchers which Jonny has made.

As mentioned previously here are a few pics from 11th April of me being presented with my tool bag.  The third one demonstrates the GalGael sense of humour and community pretty damn well.

18th of April.  The Caledonia Yawl continues to take shape.  Top pic is the fit on the gain which I cut, second shows two planks dry fitted, third is the epoxy being applied and the last three are the two planks glued and clamped in place.

It’s really beginning to look like a boat!

These wee boats have been constructed from flotsam and jetsam by kids for a fantastic event which will take place in Glasgow on Saturday 28th April as part of the Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art.

‘Nothing about us without us is for us’ is (in their own words)…

A public art event using obsolete technology to hurl language across Glasgow’s River Clyde led by Matt Baker & t s Beall, as part of Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art 2012

…and that is what the trebuchet which I briefly mentioned is for.

So, a trebuchet, the Govan Armada and a fabulous day out.  If you live in or near Glasgow, myself and the rest of the GalGael folks would love to see you there!

13th of April and my turn to cut one of the gains.  Very happy with the result and will post a few pics of the fit with the next plank down, soon.

A few pics from the 12th of April showing a scarf joint on one of the planks for the Yawl.

First time cutting a scarf joint!

More pics from the 11th of April.  This time of the tool bag and tools which I was presented with for finishing the Navigate Life course.  Every course participant who completes it is presented with one of these kits.  A huge outlay for a small charity but one which is massively appreciated.  Definitely one of the proudest moments of my life!

Pics of the presentation to hopefully follow soon.