. I’m having a braai here so I’ll have a Castle or 3 
to celebrate your birthday. Cheers Grant.
Oh, that's so good!
Ha ha, they're a good lot those crazies up in the mountains behind Kommetjie - I'm sure your home-brewed paint was spot on!Good Morning Mark. I so wanted the admiralty paint kit but it was just insane expensive getting from UK to here and of course our import duties etc. My sister in law mixed some paint for me - she is an artist (lives in Kommetjie- you know those crazy artistic mountain people- seriously cool lady tho). I am enjoying it. Frank knows his stuff for sure, it’s like every ship he knows every detail (insane knowledge), however I agree sometimes we have to go with the kit.Awesome close up pic of your capstan. Cheers Grant
Thank you Herman, much appreciatedHi Mark, I wish you a Happy Birthday
I too have caught up with your log and it is looking great.
Thanks Bru, much appreciatedHappy Birthday Mark- Father’s Day here in SA so a double present for you. I hope you had the best day.
. For some or other reason Father's Day is only celebrated in September here in Oz, so I'm kinda missing out on that double-whammy that used to come around in mid-June every year. Thanks for celebrating the occasion with beers, I'll remember to do the same when your turn comes around 
Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes, much appreciated indeed 
Great news Robert! Always nice to receive a package in the post that isn't a bill or tax return. I bet you're itching to get going and I hope the base and pedestals doesn't take too long to arrive. Looking forward to following your new Fly build log, good luck
Heinrich some other logos for a T-shirt for us crazies could also be printed....some inappropriate for this site . Cool T shirt Mark. Cheers GrantNice-looking T-shirt Mark! I have to have one screen-printed like that for myself!
You are spot on - Mark is wearing a politically "correct" one!
. I wish you only positive moments in life, good health, well-being and good models
. T-shirt very 
Mooi Mark, baie Mooi-There were just a couple more things to take care of on the gun deck. I added pins to the riding bit assembly for increased stability, particularly on the lower deck which does not have a receiving cut-out for the feet.
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The forward hatchway will remain open (no gratings) so I lined its borders with strips of walnut. This had the effect of closing off the deck plank ends, gave the deck greater depth perspective, and obscured parts of the lower deck that needed to be obscured.
View attachment 314858
View attachment 314859
I assembled hatch coamings without the grating and placed it over the walnut lining. The first of several ladders was then assembled to the width of the hatchway and positioned to lead to the deck below.
View attachment 314860
At this stage everything is still dry fit. The gun deck and all its fittings are yet to be treated to a light sanding and varnish, and I am in two minds whether to glue them onto the deck just yet. The instructions advise to glue them, but I wonder if they might be vulnerable to the violence of my hull planking effort yet to come. Or do I glue them while I still have access to the lower deck where I can monitor their stability. Ah who knows, maybe I'll just flip a coin
Kind words, thanks Ken
