First Build of 2011! The roof work continues...

May 22nd 2011
After a hiatus, due to winter, we were finally able to start work on the roundhouse once again!

Garrett and I first went to cut down trees for more roof poles. It was so good to get back to work on the house that I don't think either of us minded the sweat dripping off us or the mosquitoes! After removing the branches and loading the trees/poles into the truck ..er.. cart... we took them up to the roundhouse. Garrett, Richard and I then went to cut willow to weave into a ring which is a vital part of the roof structure.

Wading through the swamp and cutting willow with khukris  is a good way to find out how functional and practical ones Iron Age clothing is... as Garrett found out first hand. ;) (unfortunately I didn't take my camera for any of this!)

Once we got a decent load of willow, we took that back to the roundhouse and Tyson, Jordan and Richard got started on weaving the ring for the house, which Garrett soon got involved in, too! With the help of sisal, they secured the willow and made a thick ring...

Jordan with a period correct Fedora

                                                                   

It was then time to actually get it up among the roof poles!

Deciding it was best to hoist the ring up with some rope, we tied a rope around it while Richard climbed a ladder to the top. Jordan and Garrett pulled on the rope and Richard secured the ring to all the roof poles.... not as easy as it sounds! Tyson also braved the ladder to help Richard out.

It looks simple on the pictures, but the whole process of weaving the ring and getting it tied in place took approx. 3 hours. By the time this was completed, the daylight was nearly gone and we were left with no choice but to have to wait to complete more of the roof.

We have also planted a crop of Rye this year, which we hope to thatch with in the fall! It is already growing and hopefully will be a good, tall crop!