Pinchers Of Power!

After what seems like weeks of painting, today we have *finally* started in on the mud again. We are on the home stretch for concrete work for Scallywag Bay and today felt a little like completing the circle as we mudded a pair of pinchers for the Gruffle's submersible Kraken - one of the first pieces we started on this project. I am definetly looking forward to seeing all the pieces put together.

Aside from the mud, a few more pieces got their final coats of paint and the boys are busy welding and wiring outside. Tomorrow we will tidy up the last of the Kraken arms and whatever else we can cram into the shop.

“Pinchers Of Power! You guys! I’ve been saved by my Pinchers Of Power!”

— Richard 'Data' Wang

Sign, Sign, Everywhere A Sign

Once again the driveway is getting full out front of the shop. It's great to see all the work we've accomplished since our last shipment to Trinidad, but it does make backing up a trailer full of sand a little bit of a challenge. We rearranged a few features to make unloading our sand a little easier and - as the attraction signs were lined up next to each other - I couldn't resist snapping a few photos.

We strongly believe that a project's signs should be integrated with its design. In fact, my father often argues that every element of a project is a vital part of that project's signage. 

At the beginning of the Trinidad project we decided that every attraction sign should be unique but have elements which tie it in with the rest of the signs as well as the park itself.

Consequently, each sign is a different shape and features a different Gruffle (or mechanical kraken). However, every sign is held aloft by a ship's mast and is painted in the same tonal range.

Stacked together in our driveway, I think the signs are a pleasing combination of same and different.

And once they are assembled in their final home they will do much more than simply tell visitors which attraction is which. They will help tell the story of Scallywag Bay - a magical land populated by friendly creatures and mechanical marvels.

Sailing the Ocean Blue

Work in the shop continues at a brisk pace. The majority of the crew are working furiously to finish painting a handful of pieces for Scallywag Bay while outside Matt and Jack bend steel and weld structure for phase II of Cultus Lake Adventure park which is now coming on stream.

However, as usual, there is alway time for a bit of fun. At the end of each day, I like to pause to take stock of what we have done that day and sketch a plan of attack for the next. Today, as I made my rounds, I noticed a new ship sailing off Skallywag's port bow.

Skallywag bravely sails at the head of his armada.

We had a new load of secondhand towels delivered today - we go through an immense amount of terrycloth in our glazing process. The towels are torn into rag sized pieces but occasionally a real gem is kept intact for a little longer than the others. Today was just such an occasion as someone had hung up a sailing ship towel so that Skallywag wouldn't feel all alone at sea.

- Uncle Peter