We knew we were going to have willing volunteers today, but we were astounded at how much work we'd actually get done on such a beautiful day. Flee and Tracey were on a brew break when we arrived mid-morning having just finished lugging a load of wooden posts and planks from their landy down into camp. Simon arrived shortly afterwards and before long we got started on the next stage of getting the kitchen/shelter ready for the late May bank holiday. The chicken wire that had served to stop us slipping on the clay throughout last autumn was removed, along with a few more layers of clay to level it out and the old posts laid out to form joists for the decking. Long roof struts were needed, so after some seriously bad spade action, Tracey and I left the boys to it in search of long straight trees in the north west corner where the birch needs thinning. Simon made light work of getting them down with the chainsaw and we humped the 6 metre lengths back through the trees to the waiting foreman. By the time the sausages were sizzling on the fire for lunch, half the decking was down and the first few struts were in. A few more lengths were needed and more planks will be needed to finish the floor, as well as the waterproof corrugated sheeting for the roof which we will hopefully have for next weekend. So all in all, the kitchen is really starting to look like a proper shelter - can't wait to see how it will look when the roof is finished. The sun was hot today despite it being only April so I think we are going to be thankful for the shade too come mid summer; the camp area is such a sun trap.
Lee and the kids came up too and spent some time building their own small camp in the eastern Alder carr with a fire and tarp shelter - getting some practice in for their own Bear Grylls weekend.
Time spent chilling by the fire and admiring our handy work allowed Ant the chance to turn "islander" and have a go at making friction by fire with a bow drill whilst I did some more work on my washing-up stand. Tracey and I even snuck in a couple of mugs of Spanish plonk, so all in all, another cracking day. 
