Ass assembled

 The ass is now in monochrome version. 

And ass-embled for the first time this Easter Monday.

It's only a trial fit today, to make sure it goes together. 

Then drive to Norwich to install in the Old Hall Tudor knot garden on 1st May.

Ass base

 The heraldic ass head will sit on a base on a pole.

The coves on this were made, first making a depth cut with a saw, then a gouge to take out the bulk and then moulding planes to finish.

I was surprised how well they worked on the end grain of the oak.

I used my rebate plane to clean off the sloping shoulder of the top. This will shed rain away from the bottom of the ass. It also formed the undercut for the twisted rope that sits on top of it.

 The pole has been cut. I just need to join them all together now.

New front door for 17th century building

New, oak, stable, front door for. Re-using the bullseye from the old door, which had seen better days. With vent to allow air for the woodburner.

 

Bracing the top leaf, while making room for the bullseye, calls for invention; a two part brace.

Or maybe three part; half a brace, bullseye frame, half a brace.

Raking Equinox Sunrise on Early Spring Flower

 Happy Equinox!

Heraldic Ass on a Pole

Heraldic Ass. Ragged with three pronged crown ducally gorged. This carving is to be placed on a pole at the new tudor knot garden at Old Hall near Norfolk. https://www.tudorexperience.com/about-old-hall. In the manner of Hampton Court Palace.

 Old Hall was built by the knight, Sir Edward Chamberleyne between 1510 and 1540.

The Chamberleyne crest has an ass at the top.

The ass head will go on a pole at the centre of the new garden.

The garden takes inspiration from the courtyard at Hampton.

Tannins and an old friend

When you have been using edge tools on green oak, a quick clean straight afterwards, will save you lots of work next week. 

If not the tannins will eat your tools alive!

I realised today that it was 8 years since I finished the lid on this chest; an old friend now.

Time to wake up, froe and beetle

 The days get warmer and up wake the beetle and the froe.

Replenished from hibernation, eager to get down to some cleaving of oak.

And some fresh oak, that splits well (for English Oak).

Some hewing and chopping.

I don't seem to get tired of this, and good to feel the sun warming up my bones. Badger looked a bit chilly,

so I lent him my hat.