The Highland Fling
Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31 continued

HALLOWEEN: Half moon rising over the castle is not enough to light the site as the timber framers work against tomorrow's deadline. Much has been accomplished, but much more remains to be done. The arm is to be raised on the fixed machine, and the lead weights attached. Assembly continues on the second, hinged counterweight machine; the rigging is completed and the metal strapping attached to the 49' oak arm in anticipation of the raising tomorrow.

We are all ecstatic that this is the first day since our arrival with no rain whatsoever. Straw is forked around the muck, but to no avail. If you stand in one spot too long, the muck pulls you under.

We are asked by the tourists passing by to view the castle how long till the firing? We can only respond, in Martin's words, "How long is a piece of string?"

Dinner is pushed back to 8:30. There is a presentation by Al Thomas of the Epic of the Lexington Trebuchet, more limericks, and a performance of the "Twelve Days of the Trebuchet" by the youth contingent.

Click on each small photo to view a larger version. Use your browser's back button to return.

Key: (98) Sat. morning the two machines loom over Loch Ness. (99) The projectiles rest in their temporary home in the net. (100) While Richard (left) looks heavenward, Bad Bill Keir of Carpenter, Oak & Woodland demonstrates the proper attitude for greeting a new day. (101) Wes Quinlan and Paul Cooper receive the axle for the hinged counterweight machine. (102) Marc Louw spreads hay over mud. (103) The capstan being rolled into place to be used to raise the hinged arm. (104) Wayne Neel, the Scottish Kenny G., sets the right tone. (105) The fixed machine, with Doug fir arm in place, and the shear frame being removed. (106) Rick Brown and Al Anderson start fitting the lead rings onto the fixed arm. (107, 108) Steve Lawrence directs the line of pullers for installing the shear frame; the frame will be used to hoist the arm for the hinged counterweight machine. (109) The frame for the hinged machine going up. (110) The folks from COW brought some 40 COW T-shirts for giving out to their co-workers, most appreciated as a clean item of clothing is rare these days. (111) Al Thomas, suitably garbed in tie-dyed kilt masterfully created by Micah Goldberg and Marilyn Tyler, recites his poem. (112) Andrew Mullen and Chance Cooper perform their own version of the "Twelve Days of Trebuchets." (113) Bad Bill performing the Franklin Park hand signals, after being presented with Al Thomas's silver hardhat, glasses, and fuzzy red vest.

Back to Home

line
line Home | Calendar | Conferences | To Learn More | Workshops | FAQs | Helpful Links | Membership | Members Only | New Visitors Tour | News | Online Store | Resources | Publications | Timber Frame Forums | Who We Are


Executive Directors: Will Beemer (MA 413-623-9926)
Joel McCarty (NH 603-835-2077)
PO Box 60, Becket, MA 01223 Phone and fax: 888-453-0879 (toll-free)

Copyright © 1997-2009 Timber Framers Guild. All rights reserved. Revised 1/09.
  TOP

Privacy Policy

About Our Site
spacer