Thursday 25 October 2012

A Long, Tiring, But Satisfying Day.

Twenty minutes past two o'clock in the morning. I am tired so this is a shortie. What a long day it has been. After Sadie the German Shepherd and I had our walk across the fields this morning, Make that yesterday morning, we then went off to the woods. I was looking for a dozen straight poles at eighteen foot long. Why? Oh it is because of the Teepee I am making. Yes, I read somewhere that a Teepee, or Tipi is very easy to keep warm with just a small fire, and that they are remarkably cosy in even the most severe cold. So I thought I would have a go. If it works, I might move into it for the winter.

Unfortunately English woods don't have straight poles, well not that I could find. So My Teepee has to make do with the nearest I could get to straight. This means they are crooked. However I am sure that the native American tribes didn't always have the perfect poles available, and they did all right. So that's it, a Teepee with bent poles.
 My Teepee will not be made of nice white canvas either like the ones you see in films. I shall cover it with whatever I can find. In America they used Buffalo hides, but we don't have them, so I am going out tomorrow, I mean later today, to shoot some cows that are grazing in a field not too far away.

Here are some photos of progress on the project so far.


It doesn't look it, but these poles are eighteen feet in height.


This is not finished. But I was keen to see what it looked like.

It was getting dark by this stage.
Not only that but I have just finished a drawing. A commissioned work this time. You can see it on my RAG blog if you are so inclined. Yes it has been a long day. So I think I shall make myself scarce.

I was joking about shooting the cows. I shall do what the native Americans did and use a bow and arrows.

Good night, I mean good morning. God bless.









11 comments:

  1. You never cease to amaze me. You just hear or read about something and jump in to make/do it. It looks very cool! Hope it holds up in a windstorm though. You'll have to get a pic from the inside when it's all finished.

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  2. Don't forget to leave a good ventilation hole at the top or you will be smoked right out. I live in the plains area where the Indians built teepees. I would not like to live in one. I like my bed and a warm furnace in the winter. I did not always have those things when I was growing up.

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  3. As a Californian, I can only advise that the more poles you use, the more they correct each others' eccentricities. It's a statistical geometric function. You're on the right track, John. And once you light the fire, DON'T close the doorflap!

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  4. Heehee, what else would you do in there, besides sitting and sleeping? If this one's a winner you could make a fortune in teepee sales. I've just been reading about fairy doors in the garden and now I'm thinking fairy doors and teepees would go well in my big garden.

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  5. Reminds me of building a den in the garden when I was a nipper. I lit a candle inside to keep warm, the den caught fire, the fire brigade were called, I got into big trouble and was banned from building any more dens. I dug a big hole and made an underground den instead :o)

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  6. I see you have covered the tepee already. You were darn quick at shooting the cows and tanning their hides. I'm interested to see if it works.

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  7. I love the photograph, 3rd up from the bottom. My kinda perspective.

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  8. Luxury tipis are the new 'must have' for rich people here..all Ralph Lauren furnishings etc. Bet the people don't scour the forest for poles.
    Jane x

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  9. That is just awesome! I would like an inside view as well!

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  10. Very cool. Will you be inviting guest over to smoke a peace pipe in your teepee

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  11. That is a lovely teepee. I am grateful you always visit my blog and leave comments despite the annoying verification before you hit the enter key. It is pre-set by blogspot and I am not allow to make changes on that part, so sorry for the inconvenience. Being computer illiterate, I just have to rely on blogspot for a free blog site. Wish I had a big space like you where you can make teepee and campfire anytime you want. Will visit you again when I am not so busy with my facebook games, t.v show to catch up with and not to mentioned the endless housework. Have a great weekend to you

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