The MoD Police drug sniffer dogs have been in the Historic dockyard this month, and we have been warned that they will detect the smell of cannabis use the previous evening; and that there is a zero-tolerance policy on the base. My guilty conscience means that I have never tried ‘substances’ as they are euphemistically called by those in the know.

It has been another busy week: we completed the oilstone box, and are applying French polish (aka shellac), to give it a finish. A few coats more, and it will be looking really good, I hope.

While each coat dries, it’s straight on: to half lap and cover-lap joints, and to mortise and tenon joints.

I have used some of the techniques I have seen demonstrated by Paul Sellers on his excellent website and videos – worth a look if you are minded to try some woodworking with hand tools – but am also using the more straightforward techniques that we are supposed to follow. There are many ways to skin a cat and it’s worth trying a few out: not only to see what works best, but also to ensure I have tried – and learnt – different techniques.

Now we are on to a Joiner’s Rod: more of the above joints, but with the added challenge of accuracy of measurements to follow a diagrammatic plan. I am trying not to be too much of a perfectionist – our Instructor drops the odd hurry up comment: “There’s a lot to get through.” Indeed, we have yet to face the challenge of dovetail joints – which will then lead on to our tool chest.

Ironically, the students now doing the boat building say that after the three month joinery course with its strictly straight lines, there are no straight lines at all out on the boathouse shop floor … it’s all complex curves – “fair lines.”

We have had heavy rain and strong winds on and off for two weeks now, but I have managed to cycle in most days, and this week I have got to the gym (The Shed) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as agreed with my ex-Navy – “I don’t think I told you to do it that way” – PTI. Helps to work off the (once weekly) post college ‘drink at the pub:’ a ritual well worth keeping up!

Yesterday, we attended our great friends’ annual St Patrick’s Day party. Once again, I provided some percussion, of a sort, with the cajon and bodhran. We do a ‘set’ of about 8-9 songs, at the end of the evening – timing I am glad about, as I hope everyone has had sufficient to drink to not notice my shortcomings! It was a great craic, as the Irish say, but I am determined to do some more practicing for next year. But, then again, I said that last year.

For the last couple of years or so, I have felt a certain melancholy come Sunday evening as I face the Monday to come. Now, happily, I’m looking forward to tomorrow and a few more joints – wooden, of course.