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General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: b0ogaloo on August 11, 2012

Title: A week om Salt Island
Post by: b0ogaloo on August 11, 2012
I'm just back from a week on Salt Island this is what I got up to

Launching from Killyleagh with the tide on Saturday I paddled an extremely heavy kayak over to the island and set up camp,
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NOfGLKbg89w/UCYoQOdA-gI/AAAAAAAAIEY/OibaDeqp_YA/s640/IMAG0592.jpg)

The plan was to build some benches and possibly a  picnic table at the front of the bothy, I had permission to fell a tree for the construction, but I decided to have a good look around the island first to see what timber was available
The big old ash trees on top of the hill had shed a few branches so i brought them down to my camp first using a fish crate as an improvised sled

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZthPI8x-yf0/UCYnveTgZBI/AAAAAAAAIAc/z34J4aGYRw0/s640/IMAG0605.jpg)

A piece of chestnut from the fire pit at the bothy was also rescued and added to the collection

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CvZSGr2r2QA/UCYoVXsULtI/AAAAAAAAIE4/lhYNzIsQrko/s640/IMAG0596.jpg)

That was how i spent Saturday, gathering materials and planning the construction ,

Sunday

After a great nights sleep and a hearty breakfast i began to build the benches

I had intended to do it all without using power tools , but after a fall at work which resulted in a sprained wrist I didn’t fancy trying to hew logs by hand so I brought the chainsaw and relative safety gear
First job was to split the chestnut trunk in two to form the top of the benches
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DkdadV72458/UCYoW6F1scI/AAAAAAAAIFA/nTBtwt7C_IE/s640/IMAG0597.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SM6gtyV5XIc/UCYoYGSREvI/AAAAAAAAIFI/lzcIfh4EK3s/s640/IMAG0598.jpg)

I then cut the legs for the benches from a piece of old ash , just as i had finished cutting the heavens opened ... jeez did it rain, one of the advantages of hammock camping is you and your gear are off the ground , just as well as the floor of the forest turned into a river

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3VXIx3v-trk/UCYoBDuPHyI/AAAAAAAAICo/wKjcGBAcrzo/s640/IMAG0622.jpg)

Thankfully the downpour only lasted for half an hour and after relighting my fire and a cup of tea i resumed work


I cut out the mortices for the legs to go into

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--FvR7JCMIM4/UCYoCK1SY-I/AAAAAAAAICw/9dyBewT4Ar0/s640/IMAG0624.jpg)

I then bored holes for the securing dowels with a scotch eyed auger

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uIvEeodsfiU/UCYn1r6HDkI/AAAAAAAAIBM/SSssl2HqKgA/s640/IMAG0611.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ALfBsk8B5Ds/UCYn4FqjL_I/AAAAAAAAIBg/L0HKXuunrw0/s640/IMAG0613.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FV1JcsziAWM/UCYn5J9a25I/AAAAAAAAIBo/AYmh4FqFME0/s640/IMAG0614.jpg)

using a draw knife i chamfered the edges of the bench so no one gets a splinter :D

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-upGz5Pbz9V8/UCYn5ySSb0I/AAAAAAAAIBw/ICDaqGvsiJw/s640/IMAG0615.jpg)

Withe the two benches completed i retired for the evening , the fun would start in the morning , So i had a shower cooked some dinner and lay in the hammock reading until dusk

Solar shower = cold shower on overcast days
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L382XvLCK6I/UCYmqd_j-QI/AAAAAAAAH5Q/Ypbw_-_G1OU/s640/IMAG0690.jpg)

Monday

In an ideal world I would have a Canadian canoe with a 500 kg capacity , but i don’t so I’m limited to what i can carry on my kayak this means i just didn’t have the room for a jackhammer , but i really wish i could've brought one

The ground at the front of the bothy has 2 " of topsoil then its rocks ,  it took me most of the day to dig out the holes for the legs of the benches using an old WW2 entrenching shovel and a lot of cursing

one bench installed , one to go

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TueVfZarLSE/UCYoJGj7vjI/AAAAAAAAIDo/eFugCSFx6Xg/s640/IMAG0631.jpg)

both benches installed

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4h4XS1qhOk4/UCYnj2SJ3hI/AAAAAAAAH_M/AKhInOIQ0Ao/s640/IMAG0641.jpg)

using an adze to level out the surface a bit

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XFB62syBxso/UCYnhGc-OJI/AAAAAAAAH-8/OHwHanUL17s/s640/IMAG0639.jpg)



 I also removed the old fire ring and built a new one with the rocks i had dug out for the bench and table legs

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nhwRb-NOgWc/UCYnmhwt-SI/AAAAAAAAH_c/ZVqrpn19SPU/s640/IMAG0643.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xFtDXb5Rvns/UCYnoCW-RoI/AAAAAAAAH_k/Q_lwFahll9E/s640/IMAG0644.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O1DErHozyVs/UCYnqh-IBwI/AAAAAAAAH_0/WPf9R3BoZOU/s640/IMAG0646.jpg)




Tuesday

As mentioned earlier i had scoured the island for usable timber that was already down , but the just wasn't enough to make a table with So i decided to fell a 8" diameter ash tree , having done this i began to saw it into planks , Again in an ideal world i couldve brought a chsinsaw mill with me but ....   So i had to do it manually  ::)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QlPJ-3RxagU/UCYnTPXUxkI/AAAAAAAAH90/YNjBEzmefAY/s640/IMAG0653.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--3Sfk-OFams/UCYnUAOe1RI/AAAAAAAAH98/zRtPbcSd-LM/s640/IMAG0654.jpg)

once i had the planks cut i began assembling the table top

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hp1QTfI7Vzs/UCYnLRvEUxI/AAAAAAAAH84/JUed5GvUk4E/s640/IMAG0659.jpg)

Ciamohe my dog was supervising as always

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MHhyXDRb9b4/UCYnKJJ0FYI/AAAAAAAAH8w/xm8xxsi3JSw/s640/IMAG0658.jpg)

Wednesday

With the table top built next job was to dig holes  for the table legs ( i had prayed the previous night for a JCB and rock breaker ) This proved an interesting day


that rock was my nemesis .... its been swore at in several different languages and even had some new swear words invented specially for it

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BWqXBW4TDTI/UCYm2lRQWxI/AAAAAAAAH64/eNLEPaNa9es/s640/IMAG0670.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kOPa9iw7LCc/UCYm5vZ_HSI/AAAAAAAAH7I/ONJw9SoRkXY/s640/IMAG0672.jpg)

Eventually i got it out

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-74xRagUAl0k/UCYm7NEnDpI/AAAAAAAAH7Q/GxtJuU8xgPg/s640/IMAG0673.jpg)

Thursday

On Thursday morning I paddled over to Killyleagh to get some supplies , it was a glorious morning the lough was like a mirror on the way back I saw a sea otter which made my day . i managed a crap photo and some video ...

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ABvH2tiLpNU/UCYm1M5bT1I/AAAAAAAAIGc/vy4U1TpgbR4/s640/IMAG0669.jpg)

Back on the island work resumed after a coronary special breakfast which consisted of various pig products and eggs in a wholemeal roll ... yes i know it should've been a soda but the spar didn’t have any

The legs were buried in the hole and the table top fitted

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4TpalCju3vk/UCYnBhuVZvI/AAAAAAAAH74/mY5_Jr3aXqc/s640/IMAG0678.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pVCKUNcfVxQ/UCYnDGrZlAI/AAAAAAAAH8A/O4gLYx7lCaY/s640/IMAG0679.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zDp4JSdHAKs/UCYnEgS7jcI/AAAAAAAAH8I/EsNWOClGyU8/s640/IMAG0680.jpg)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-P2y0EMhoTQ8/UCYmoF_BSFI/AAAAAAAAH5A/6lFGQ0jUKuc/s640/IMAG0688.jpg)

Friday

I woke at dawn on Friday , made a quick cup of tea and got the kayak launched in the hope of seeing the otter again ,,, but the sea fog meant I had no chance

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7pBtLHh0L9c/UCYmjXph6GI/AAAAAAAAH4Y/48LdD7mvPFU/s640/IMAG0683.jpg)

I spent the rst of the day lounging about in my hammock , reading and listening to the radio, packed up early the next morning and paddled back to Killyleagh

thanks for reading

Andy




Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: Mourneman on August 11, 2012
You've got some real good skill there mate,another great write up,with some first class photo's,thanks for sharing,karma awarded
Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: Highlandpaddy on August 11, 2012
Well done bOogallo

A tremendous amount of dedication for the benefit of all others who will use the facility. A great post it was like a little mini adventure.

I haven't been on the island yet, I missed the last trip a few weeks back with some friends.

I am looking forward to get the use of of your handiwork. A massive pat on the back m8!

HP
Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: LandyLiam on August 11, 2012
Great work again Andy, i look forward to sitting on those seats by the campfire some day.
Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: Oisín on August 11, 2012
Someone give that man a medal.

Superb work, couldnt improve on your work at all.
Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: Spud on August 11, 2012
Well done, brilliant post and pics as always!
Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: Kayakgirl on August 12, 2012
Well done, The table and benches look really well. You should sell your furniture as it looks awesome.
Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: VMCC on August 12, 2012
fantastic mini blog and well done on your efforts
Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: surfnscenic on August 12, 2012
You really have put your gift of woodworking and passion for the outdoors to good use.

Thank you for the write up and photos.
Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: RedLeader on August 13, 2012
Brilliant, sounds like a relaxing week (apart from the big rock ofc :))
Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: LennyJ1 on August 13, 2012
Great job again, really enjoy reading your write up's. thanks
Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: dean1970 on August 13, 2012
Where is salt island  :-[
Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: Pudd on August 15, 2012
Amazing work! Karma awared.

I just so hope that the time and effort that you have kindly put in, is respected!
Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: dean1970 on August 16, 2012
I heard there are bears on the island  ;D
Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: RedLeader on August 16, 2012
It's an island in Strangford Lough about 1 mile from Killyleagh.

Where is salt island  :-[
Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: b0ogaloo on August 22, 2013
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iNlJD3mEBL0/UhZkfdhK89I/AAAAAAAANFg/Jj8yro52uIs/s640/bench.jpg)

One year on ... one of the benches has disappeared presumed burnt, tables not looking so good anymore

#arseholes

Andy
Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: Wolf_Larson on August 22, 2013
Top class work and pictures !!!

agreed on the arseholes !!!!
Title: Re: A week om Salt Island
Post by: whoRya on August 23, 2013
I'm sure that is gutting Andy.  But please don't be too despondent, even though most of us on here have not had the pleasure of seeing your work on Salt Island itself, we have had the pleasure of seeing the results of your considerable talents on here.  Your work is exceptional and is a real credit to you.  Thanks again for sharing it.