Fireproofed and ready to go…..
Fireproofing the tent - Sarah and Sam
For the very first time since we began the whole Red Tent project, the weather did not befriend us. We cancelled Saturday July 7th and went for Sunday July 8th instead, when the sun shone and all that was left of the community of red tenters was the four of us: Sarah, (all the way from Bridport, fresh from the floods and moving house), Ronnie (dashing to and fro to look after the family), Sue and Sam, both a little weary….
Hard hats and ladders...
It was a challenge to put up the 21′ alachigh with just four people. But we did it!
Ronnie consolidates the structure
It was exciting to see the whole cover and groundsheet, complete with doorway, now finished.
We have a floor...
Entrance
Then came the fireproofing of the inside (red canvas doesn’t come pre-fireproofed).
Nasty chemicals
We took every precaution….
Goggles: check; mask: check; full body suit....check!
and the inside of the tent was soon rendered all but impervious to naked flames…..
Preparing to spray the higher levels
"I'm looking down," said Piglet....
Taking down the tent, we were tired. It was too much to consider the third oiling the poles. That will have to happen inbetween Quest and the Westcountry Storytelling Festival. But help was at hand as two Wood Brothers offered to help – thanks Alexander and Ian!
Flinging the rope...
Easing the cover over the wheel
The long haul is over: the tent is ready to be used. We did it.
Enter the Red Tent