With light mornings and bright evenings, Mike and myself have managed to make the most of our Cornish summer workdays - fishing, surfing in the mornings and even managing to fit 18 holes in after work, whilst grafting on two 14ft traditional huts during the day .
Dusk round at st Enodoc.
On Wednesday Mike, Tom and myself had a very testing delivery of a 14ft shepherds hut down a narrow, disused train line at Trelill. Tom used his expertise to help navigate the hut down the overgrown train line, whilst Mike and myself with help from all at Cornish Tipis cleared the way.
It's been all go for Mike and myself this week. We have been finishing a mini bespoke kitchen for Gosel's hut, picking up and installing a Windy Smithy woodburner and collected our cast iron placards from the Irons Brothers foundry. Also we have started designing and getting the ball rolling on two Shepherd's huts for Matt and Jo.
When I recently rebuilt the rotten door frame for our old grain store I discovered this bit of history etched into the walls. I assume these related to the sacks or loads entered on this date, October 2nd 1945. With its corrugated sides, timber frame, interior tng cladding and being raised off the ground on granite it's not dissimilar in build to a Shepherd's hut. It's always been very dry so I hope this bodes well for our huts lasting a lifetime.
After a productive morning on Thursday whilst the Farrow and Ball paint dried, we decided to head off and meet Mark for a 30th birthday surf in the sun.
Rolo and Tamar play whilst Mark has a post surf shower
Paint drying on the bespoke bed- a perfect excuse to sneak off for a surf.
Mike and I managed to get a quick break from the workshop on Monday to witness Hurricane Imogen truly showing her face on the Cornish Coast.
Photo by our good friend Mark Williams. Stay in one of his amazing summer lets at Port Quin Farm Holidays (http://www.portquinfarmholidays.co.uk/)
Mike and my first hut has been very busy on Airbnb over the winter. Lots of guests have been enjoying the cosiness of 'Primrose Shepherd's Hut' whilst listening to the therapeutic crackling of the log burner. Primrose Shepherd's Hut is located in the Cornish village of St Mabyn, just a quick drive from the surrounding towns of Polzeath, Port Isaac and Padstow. If you would like to stay, here is the link:
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/Primrose_shepherds_hut
The next Shepherd's hut Mike and myself are making is going to be as rustic, reclaimed and traditional as possible. We are searching reclamation yards and auctions high and low to find used, high quality timber. Our first call is with our friends at Eden Reclamation. www.edenreclamation.co.uk
