East Anglian Members Meet II - Revenge Of The Tongs :)

[blobbybob]

How much space do have available under cover for this meet-up guys ? Forecast is for rain over the whole weekend.

I can't remember the exact dimensions but there will be a gazebo up which is around 3x8 which should have more than enough room to fit us all in with tables and chairs so cover is covered

Bloody typical though, it was like a summers day yesterday when I was stuck in an office all day.

[MALCOLM]

Looks like I won't need my Speedo's, lounger and sun cream then!!


Mal

[blobbybob]

Looks like I won't need my Speedo's

Not unless there fur lined

[blobbybob]

Bit last minute but the guy who was going to lend me a workmate to mount bowtrees grinder on has let me down, if anyone has one they can bring along it would be most helpful.

Please leave a quick message here if you can.

Cheers gents.

[Bowtrees]

I have dug one out and will bring it with me along with a spare gazebo and a couple of seats

[blobbybob]

I have dug one out and will bring it with me along with a spare gazebo and a couple of seats

Thanks mate, panic over

[parbajtor]

Sorry guys,
not going to make it. Had to sort some family stuff in Bournemouth yesterday and have still a bit to do at home.
Have fun!

[blobbybob]

Sorry guys,
not going to make it. Had to sort some family stuff in Bournemouth yesterday and have still a bit to do at home.
Have fun!

No problem mate, shame you couldn't make though.

I think a good time was had by all, even with the wind/rain/snow combo

I'll put some pics up later when I'm at the pc, but I think kev got more than me.

Thanks for coming gents.

[Essexman]

You guys must have had the worse weather ever today!!

Glad to here it went well for you, looking forward to the pics

[John56]

Despite the weather I had a great time, the hot metal beating was interesting to watch, the bbq was great and it was really good to meet you all.......plus I had 3 knives sharpened by Longstrider so a top day all round. Many thanks to Adam for organising the event and his father-in-law for hosting it.

Now looking forward to Bardsters in May

[MALCOLM]

Driving over to our meet I thought we might be lucky as the sun looked liked it might make an appearance. Unfortunately the the shaded dot of the sun was not seen again. The rain got worse and eventually we had a flurry of snow.
I think everyone at some point got that shock of cold water down the back of the neck as it dripped off the edge of the gazebo.
But this did not stop the fun, the BBq or the forging.

Big thanks to Blobbybob for arranging and his Father-in-Law for letting us use his place.

Here's the day, in short, in pictures:-



Plenty of well needed cover and seating



Firing up the BBq



Ash logs burning nicely.



Left to right:- Longstrider, Bowtrees, John56, Sam66, Whittler Kev, Blobbybob and a stray pole vaulter.
Sorry Blobbybob's Father-in-Law our host.



Plenty of food.



Blobbybob's dough-nut burger concoction.



Group smile, plus our other attendee. Apologies to you as I can't remember your name.



Longstrider sharpening display.



Setting up Blobbybob's forge with battery powered blower.



Closer look of blower.



Lighting the forge.



Burning nicely.



Bowtrees baby anvil.



Bowtrees heating up an old file and sparks flying high because of the blower.



Bowtrees at work.



Due to the heat of the forge burning the logs it was sat on, emergency measures were needed in the shape of two metal rods.


Had a great time. Cheers everyone.


Mal

[John56]

Great pics Mal, thanks for posting.

[kpurse]

A BBQ and a Hammerin' to make a knife blade and flint striker (which had the end crack off the handle twice - no it wasn't hammered too cold).


and our host (Thanks a lot dude)

The BBQ
This was a new one on me (but a regular to blobbyblob). A split iced donut with a slice of cheese in it and a pork burger. Tooth rotting sweet and savoury together. I had to try one and there not to bad


We used blobbybobs brake drum forge with a 12V motor on it (worked brilliantly )

and used a mix of Forge Breeze and charcoal.


This blade was a Saxon Sax shaped a little like a kukri with a curved skinner tip that tapered down to the handle. It was made from an old file as was the flint striker Longstrider made. (Click here for vids)

It was pouring with rain (so we didn't need the fire precautions - a hose pipe)


and slowly got colder and colder until we had a full blown snow storm
(click on the pic below for the video - only got a few seconds though as the video card memory was full)


At least with the gazebo up and the forge going we kept warm ha ha

For more pics and vids have a look here http://s799.photobucket.com/albums/y...011/?start=all
Thanks again to all for making a wet and cold Sunday enjoyable with special thanks to Blobbybob for organising it and Kudos to his father-in-law for hosting it -and putting up with us all

[Bowtrees]

Excellent day Despite the weather! Special thanks to Blobbybob and Graham for organising and hosting look forward to future ones.

[Roadcat]

Just wanted to say I had a great time and it was good to meet all you gents, wish I could have been there longer (actually as it turned out I could have been, everything went smoothly after I got back and I finished an hour early - I put it down to having my sanity restored by you lot). Thanks for all the organizing Adam, and please send our thanks on to Graham.