Staying cosy and keeping busy . . .

sheeted up fore n aft for the winter....lots of things to do indoors and this is just the weather for a log fire at home and Dennis to help me with some woodwork ! ! Decided to start with the front cratch board. The original had a large headlight in the top half and I painted the usual diamonds and roses as was originally done when we first bought her.

This time I have been graced with a considerable amount of 2 x 1 beech in 4 ft lengths so I thought it would be good to use it for all the woodwork and so here goes with my first bit of proper woodwork with its replacement. I have to say it finishes smooth as silk after sanding. I think I have much in common with Gibbs (NCIS), he builds boats in his basement and appreciates the feel of the wood........

Anyway this one is going to be able to have either glazed or painted panels or something, we shall see. But I thought it would be good to save any decorative painting until she is back on the water and all the living and sailing jobs are done, after all, that will be a delight to do in the lazy summers I intend to spend on her.....so until then, varnished Beech will look just fine.

Am slowly getting to grips with such things as woodwork tools, band saw, and all the different bit bits, countersinking screws, pegging, sanding, (wish I had taken more notice when I was Jims Apprentice ! !) The router however still has me foxed, I think I am scared of it really. I did give it a try out with the bit that I found in it. But the collet tightening nut was stuck and I had to get help to loosen it . Anyway now I have the correct bit in, I cant seem to get the thing to drop for the cut....Thank goodness for detailed diagrams and instructions and I will just have to keep practicing.......

Fortunately Dennis is keeping a close eye on all the work and checking the joints . . ha ha, pity he cant read .... yet ...