Cutting and drilling - preparation

 

I have completed cutting up and pre drilling the pieces I need to make Post 37 - some of the pieces of beautiful rusty bits are in the photo above.

Previously I had sanded and screwed and nailed together the two pieces of timber to make a post 1.8m high, 30cm wide and 9cm thick; and had nailed a rusted top on each length of timber - see below.

Some more photos of rusted elements follow.

Hopefully tomorrow I will start assembling the post - but it has been a good rust day!!!!! I have really appreciated having my Makita side grinder and a new drill to do this work.

The sea, moss and other matters.

 

We walked to the cove this morning, as we do most days when we are at the cottage. The light was heavy with rain and sea showers - producing the beautiful colours above.

I enjoy standing on the cove headland as noting how the sea meets the sky and the sky meets the sea - merging.

A few images follow from the chapel that initially housed the Library of Innerpeffray.

And moss and rocks from our trip to Dun Trodden broch.

Small moments of beauty.

Bits and pieces from the phone

 

We are away from the cottage for a few days so this blog is based on bits and pieces in my iPhone. Whilst we are away from the village and cove it is always a significant part of our life when we are at the cottage. Gorgeous to look down at the track into the cove with a wrecked fishing boat and old fishing gear store shed.

A few fragments of beauty.

Fiona the sheep whisperer - this little flock so wanted to come to fence for a meet and greet - one in particular was very inquisitive - almost like it wanted to become friend.

Many years, many fences, many farmers.

The fragments of daily beauty around us remind us to look for and have hope.

A successful market

 

Fiona and I had a wee market stall at the Watten Village  Hall Craft and Produce Fair on Saturday (24/9). We never know how these ventures will go given markets are a bit unusual for us; and doing them in another country always offers a few extra challenges.

We didn't have the sophisticated display that many other stall holders did; and our range of product is always dictated by what we can bring from our home studio-shop. But I think the opening photo shows that we had an interesting table. The following photos show us in setting up mode.

A few more images of our table. We used old slates from the cottage and stones from the cove to display our work. I love Fiona's Solace Stones - beautiful; feel in the hand and poignant sentiments.

Good crowd in attendance - see below.

We had a successful day - sold quite a few bits; and got very positive feedback on the quality and difference of our work. We have been asked to participate in a couple more markets during the time we are here - we will see how our time plays out. 

Starting Post 37

 

Have been commissioned to make a post that reflects the history of a daily farm. The main elements will be a very old rusted strainer post set in stone and various farm implements including clydesdale horse horseshoe. 

I have started the post including joining 125mmX95mm timbers and capping the slightly rotted tops with heavy channel iron as you can see above - cut with the trusty side grinder.

Photos of the strainer post and other bits provided are below. Not all the bits and pieces will find a home on the post.

The basic design for the post follows. I gave the post the working title of Bluebelle Cottage; but the official historical name for the post is Post 37.

Photos of the starting process follow. I started by grinding off accumulated grime and old paint - a real outdoor job - but so glad I have my sidegrinder to sand and to cut metal. You will see from the state of the timbers that it rained on and off as I worked this afternoon.

I will be away from the cottage next week so I will need to work on the post in a couple of weeks time.