Shepherds Hut Pt 2.

When building a boat one of the most common complaints is in the perennial lack of clamps. It seems that the same affliction has befallen this project... having said that, it has been pointed out to me that far from a shed on wheels this hut resembles an inverted boat on a trailer. Without a nail gun in sight, the screws hidden in here number over 4000! And there in over 1 1/2 litres of polyeurathane glue concealed between the boards.

 

 The old oak double glazed windows have cleaned up a treat. As to incorporating angles into things I question why i bother sometimes as the maths is a bit too much... but its worth it to sit on the finished item and have comfy bottom!

 

Chunky sturdiness and functionality is the theme with all of the woodwork. I doubt the average shepherd had it this good in the old days, 

 

As the job begins to finally take shape the Blacksmith next door offers to forge some shepherds crook shaped curtain poles. Now that spring has sprung the Mrs. also comes down to supervise the application of the exterior colours. Sometimes I don't know what i'd do without them!

I'm aware that iv'e probably exceeded the attention span of your average internet user these days... so heres a picture of some kids setting fire to stuff!

Taking care not to listen to the news in case the uncontrollable laughter at our unelected, right wing, brexiteering, frothing at the mouth, sheep flock of a government lessen our concentration; the finished article is carefully loaded onto a trailer and expertly delivered to its final resting place in west wales.

Skepticism about the safety of our careful winching technique eventually drew the oopaloompah's out of the chocolate laboratory.

Begging for habitation the hut is ready for a duvet, a bit of kindling in the stove, and the kettle on.

The thanks I owe to so many people that have supported me to bring this project to fruition know who they are... and my heartfelt thanks, love and respect goes out to all of them...x

 

Shepherds Hut

Shepherds Hut

Thanks to everyone for looking at and sharing my blog posts to date. After a busy year of work (not to mention some unprecedented global upheaval) someone has spotted my activities and engaged me in a new kind of project... 

I am constructing a shepherds Hut.

 It seems that the temptation to hide from the options of soft or hard boiled Brexit as waves of eggy Trumps roll in across the Atlantic, has made the alternative of sitting in a pre industrial shelter in the middle of a field  an attractive enough proposition to provide me with my latest endeavour in work!

The design is carefully and precisely worked out on the back of a napkin. Always the professional I mopped up the spilled beer and pork scratching crumbs from the table to ensure the highest level of precision.

 

Local metal sculptor Julian Childs has provided me with a very high quality steel chassis on traditional cast iron wheels.

Beautiful attention to detail includes scrolled beams and seperate fixings for floor bearers to avoid drilling into the chassis itself.  

 I dismantled  the chassis upon delivery to paint it and thoroughly grease all the friction surfaces

Painting the underside of the floor for longevity before turning over the sheets.

Cavity insulation under the floor will ensure toasty toes when sat in peaceful refuge from the bizarre developments in the world outside!

Unfortunately too cold for the leotard, my beautiful assistant casually models these solid oak double glazed windows. Thanks to lovely Gaynor in Much Wenlock for offering these on Gumtree... I think they will look good in their new home.

 In creating the solid but light superstructure I stick to screws rather than nails, and reacquaint myself with my old ally... Thixotropic PU woodglue. Cant escape those boatbuilding habits I'm afraid... Then again I'm aiming for quality and longevity rather than the bog standard "shed on wheels!"

More insulation and the hut begins to take shape.

  

The first milestone is achieved with covering the entire structure in a breathable waterproof membrane, and the fixing of the traditional "wriggly tin" roof.

Look out for the next post in the new year... progress to include the huts' fancy lining, woodburner, and twiddly bits!

Please like and share as lets face it... even my wittering has got to be better than reading the news!X