A welcome back to Helen who came back for a session today and a big thank you to her for going and buying new waterproof trousers which kept the rain away for the session.
Today we got straight down to knot work with most being able to remember how to tie a clove hitch. We moved on to square lashing with good effort in some quarters but not so good trying in others. Everyone went off to find two sticks to tie together while I got the fire going. Then, under the shelter we started practicing the lashing. Soon the kettle was boiled and we stopped for hot chocolate and biscuits. In the fire bag were also some fun size bags of sweets, so once the cups were packed away the bribery began. For everyone who undid their square lashing and retied it there would be a bag of sweets - to say efforts were doubled would be an understatement. Interestingly the resulting wooden crosses became props in later games played by a group of the children.
With the square lashing mastered we took it to the tree house so we could put in the supporting beams for the floor. We are using a tree as our anchoring support for the tree house and then two tripods which we attach two beams from the tree to and then a beam across the two tripods. The beams are held in place using the square lashing so giving us a sound base for the floor.
We divided off into different groups to play tag and play in the sand and I showed one of the new boys how to use the bow saw so he could cut one of the beams for the floor.
Next week we will start cutting wood for the floor and will be returning to knots, as the floor will need to be fixed down. Luckily the knot we will be using is a raft lashing which is a variation of the square lashing. We will also be playing our first game of thicket this term and of course will be back at the FS beach (sand pit).
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