Creating something new, day 36
3 days later
Carriage
Day after day with work, and my slightly bored guards are all too happy to remind me of weaponstraining too, which is more work. But I can't suck at it, and atleast they mix it up. Sword or axe with a shield one day, single weapon and no shield another day, two against two a third day, and so on. I thought I would like archery. I was wrong. I'm good at being methodical and trying to learn, but I would really like to make a better and more modern bow. With sight, and trigger solution for precision archery. Or at least a bow with an damn arrow shelf, but they seem to pride themselfs at being good with the most basic bow. Somewhat surprised that my impromptu thumbring surprises them. I mostly wanted to protect my fingers since I need them for far more important work, and it felt a bit cumbersome to shoot in their way with a leather glove, and they were giving me looks. I'm an archery novice, but as far as I know, the thumbring technique is an advantage while riding with reloading and safer nocking of the arrow. It works here because the bow is symmetrical and lacks a shelf for the arrow. Still an bother to hit something, and the arrows flys wrong in the other direction. But as with their technique it's just practicing, practicing ... and more practicing.
The thumb locking technique at least interests Gunhild and Alith enough for them to try, or they just found something interesting to do. After many arrows at very short distances to start getting the feeling, they realized that quick reloading works by holding several arrows with their right hands ring and pinky finger. How do you really motive Shieldmaidens to learn another archery technique? Let them get bored with plenty of freetime and introduce 'more dakka'.
So they decide to make their own thumbrings to really test it too. They understandably won't stop shooting bows like they've always done, but apparently I have introduced enough stuff and thoughts that they think it's worth spending a lot of time practicing until they're good enough to decide if its worth it or not. Considering how competative they can be about something, and that it is never a bad idea to learn something that might save your life, they've found something to do.
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Iselin returns a little after dinner, and I realize that there will probably not be any more work done today. Bodil, pretty much just drop her bag in the bedroom, and joins the others in trying out the 'new' archery technique, and Gunhild have already tried on horseback. Their bows are a bit large to use on horseback, but it isn't my problem.
I decide to take a ride with Iselin since I need to practice riding a horse and want to get away from work for a while, and we take some cider and sweetened bread with us and plan to be away for a couple of hours. I could see that Ciara preferred to come along, but she understood that Iselin wanted to have her own time with me, and I have been spending time with Ciara the past days too. She spent last night in my bed.
Iselin's installations have gone well, and she entertains us by telling us stories. One of the first ordered had already prepared a place in his courtyard, just like the King. But in his case, the sundial would be in the shade most of the year due to the buildings or high trees. The man in question covered up his mistake by saying that they hadn't had time to cut down the trees yet. Iselin apparently managed to play it cool, but she breaks down when she's retelling the tale, and Hillevi joins her in laughter as she knows who the man is, and implores Iselin to let her be there when she tells it to Gunhild and Kari. Apparently the man loves to brag and impress, but isn't known as the most cunning, and have low opinions of women.
There are still orders for more sundials ticking in, but we will take a break in the installations and we have deliberately not left any dates except to say in a few weeks. In the future I need to hire and train someone else to do installations or orther such things, especially when it comes to sundials. I don't want Iselin to have to do it, nor do I want to do it myself. We all think it's a good idea to teach people that they can't just buy things to get a visit from Sejdmann Arnesson, and from the stories Iselin tells many do.
We have reached the outskirts of Borgarsandr, and I realize that the new carriage is probably finished, so we decide to ride and check.
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We're well received by the wheel and wagonmaker. The carriage looks pretty good. Okay, it looks pretty awesome according to Iselin, Alith and Hillevi, and considering all the other wagons I've seen so far in Alfheimr, I should have expected my company's reactions - especially Iselin's who havn't seen it before at all. The impression is hardly made worse by the small carved decorations and oil treated wood. Its main purpose is weather protection for the wood, but it looks nice, and the brass details highlights and improves the overall impression. The carriage is basically lighter brown wood, with 'golden' details and blue fabric roof and cushions. Blue isn't a color I like on upholstery, but it looks good, and it matches the colors of the Academy's flag. The brass leaf springs match, and the future brake system will probably make it more noticeable. I hope the drum brakes works, since I hope to make motorvehicles in the future. The wagons simple lever brake that force two leathercovered blocks against the rim of the back wheels, won't work on something heavy and fast moving. The wagonmaker has used my design to build an improvement. The shaft that the horse harness attach to can of course be removed with a brass sprint, and they've made another shaft and harness for a single horse. As long as there isn't too much load or too far or fast to travel, apparently a single horse works well. Who knows? We might increase to a four-span in the future.
It doesn't take long before we have strapped two of our horses to the carriage and tests how it works. Oo-yes, this carriage is so much better than our old one, and the others love it. It feels very different when the suspension makes the carriage rock in a completely different way. Everyone is impressive how much better the carriage takes bumps and angled surfaces instead of lifting one or two wheels off the ground, and the comfortable benches with their cushions and padded backrest makes it even nicer. The suspension even makes it better sitting in the cargo bed in the back. We make the very simple decision to take the carriage the rest of the way, and it will be fun to see the others faces when we return, so we tie our other horses behind and leave.
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Rolling along the road back to the farm is a completely different experience, and so much more comfortable. Its also fun to see the reaction of people we meet or pass.
When we get back to the fram, the others immediately go along for a trip, and while they stock up more to drink, I fetch the drawings for the other planned carriages and a couple of other projects. We have discussed a lot about carriages during the trip, and I guess it will be a continued topic of conversation.
When I hear them talking about some things on the carriage, I realise that I havn't actually tested or shown my sambos and guards all the features the carriage has. I've only shown the guards how to hang their shields by the coachbench and back on the sides. So I first show all the small anchoring points for cargo. Then all the discreet little storage compartments and pockets that are everywhere, for things like water bottles, wine bottle, mugs, binoculars, books or other stuff. I show how the armrest in the middle of the backrest folds up and the cushioned benches can be lifted up to access the storage compartments underneath. Both the coachbench and the passenger benches have that function. They help me to take off the roof and switch to convertible mode as the weather is nice. Its possible to stow away the roof, by pushing the parts into the intended compartments under the cargo bed. The canvas itself should probably prevent any rattling around. The six side posts are just posts, and the roof is basically tent fabric with some sewn-in channels with curved wooden slats, so the roof is relatively compact and flat. I fold down the short sidebenches on the sides of the cargo bed. It should be good for two people on each side, although the benches isn't padded. I expect one or two guards to sit on the cargo bed, dangling the legs of the back. That way they can get of fast if they need to, and its easier to guard our rear.
They look surprised when I pull the pins and lift up the entire backrest, but they soon see that the front passenger backrest can be laid down and fill the space between the front and rear seat, and the rear backrest can be placed behind. All of a sudden, the passenger space is a 2m long bed, where two can sleep. Tada!
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I can't help but feel embarrassed when all the women think its intended for sex, while I actually only thought about having a nice comfortable sleeping space under a roof while traveling, instead of having to bring more sleeping pelts and tents. With all the comments about it being that kind of test I intended, and all my sambos volunteering, I hurrily restore the backrests in the upright configuration.
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We havn't traveled far before Kari and Ciara's smiles and proud postures say everything I need to know about their thoughts on the carriage.
The big topic of conversation is of course carriages, and I still have four wheels left - the more heavy duty ones with extra wide hubs and alternating spokes - and a more 'winter carriage' would be nice, although it will probably rarely see use on the island. It just seem stupid to have someone fetch the carrige when most places is a five or ten minute walk away. There will also be a lot of problems to lift it on and off the ship, and if it has a cabin with a small glass windows in both the doors and on the sides, it will be heavier and more fragile. We won't bring it with us every time we go to Borgarsandr, and it will need horses too. It might be a good idea to pay someone to store the winter carriage on the land side, because if it gets really cold and bad weather, the road to Borgarsandr might still be more accessible than the sea, unless mud and slush makes that horrible. But the wagon maker can still try to build the carriage, because if we don't want it, we can probably sell it and make a profit. Even if we can't its still good to know what can be built. My sambos agree, so we change our destination to the wagon maker, who will get the remaining drawings and plans. We discuss more details as we roll along.
Given that the wheels are prototypes and might break, an extra wheel can be good to bring along or just store at home, so we will order a spare wheel for each carriage as well. Eh, what the hell. That'll just invoke Murphy. If we have a spare wheel, two will probably break directly after each other, so we might as well order two spares of each. One to take with us on the carriage, and one to store at home.
It bothers me a lot that many modern cars don't have a spare tire, not even on SUVs or real off-road vehicles. Many cars don't even have space for a limited speed spare tire. Yes, I get that it saves space, weight, improve mileage and seldom happen, but its stupid. You're always on the road going somewhere when you get a puncture, and the possibility to change a tire and continue with just a little delay, is a hell of a lot better than probably missing an event or booked time. Then you need to stand there waiting for towing, and hope a tire company is open, and maybe arrange accommodation or a rental car as well. I've never had to do that, and only had two flats so far in my life, but that's because I've always had a spare tire with me. Puncture spray isn't a sufficient solution, and it has an expiration date most doesn't know about, and just means a completely new tire it used. Although I usually have it with me as well. And a jack, tools, work gloves and sitting pads. And a large first aid kit, an axe, jump leads, multimeter, spare water, a fuze set, a couple of extra lightbulbs etc. Okay, I usually have far too much with me, which I get comments about, until there is a problem. Or a friend has a problem.
Then again, modern cars has a lot of stupidity in them. Like an electronic boot release, so if the battery is too low due to a door light not turning off, it won't open, so you can't take out the jump leads. That's annoying.
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If I thought people looked at us before when I've been in the town, its nothing compared to the attention we get in this carriage. My companions shines almost as much as the sun, and Iselin has to make an effort to give the same stately calm impression as Kari and Ciara. I have heard a couple of small squeees, but I suspects that Kari and Ciara is doing a small contented squeee in their minds.
Digraldi is so proud of its contribution to the carriage, and doesn't hesitate to make more leaf springs and extra leaf springs to better match the suspension in the end. The leaf springs will be a little stronger as the winter carriage will be heavier, and he looks forward to finding out how well the drum brakes work. Like many others, he seems to expect that something I've ordered will work as intended. The lead electrodes for the battery cells have been completed, and he has even made the contact strip like I asked. He has finished a lot of other things as well, but we don't want to take everything along in the carrige, and he will send his own wagon to deliver it to the farm. We talk about future carriages and wagons and it feels good when he likes my idea he's starts to consider getting a new leaf springed wagon for himself, with just a large cargo bed behind the driver's bench. Some goods are actually quite fragile, like windows or earthenwares, so there is probably a market. Considering how we drive around town, we can be good PR for the wagon maker, and Iselin and Kari's eyes light up when they start thinking about another agreement.
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The wagon maker is surprised when we return, and is worried that something is wrong, but his worry disappear as he realise it is the opposite. He and the apprentices are proud of our praise, and we succeed in persuading him to make a three-year deal. I give him designs and persuade people to start buying leaf sprung carriages, and I will refer people to him and so on. He doesn't seem to understand the market it can be, because this is a riding culture and many roads suck. But he gladly accepts the orders for the new wagons and wheels; both the winter carrige and the cargo carriage. Evidently, there is a rumor that I like glass windows, and the wagon maker and his apprentices think its really interesting with a cabin with small glass windows on a carriage. On the new carriage, they will also cover its large woodens surfaces in beautiful wood carvings although they have to be shallow like on this carriage. They can take all the time they need. Making the wooden thin to reduce weight will be a lot of work. A top-heavy carriage sounds like a bad idea.
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The potter barely dares to approach the carriage where my sambos are waiting, and she is so very impressed and curtsy several times to greet them. The drum brake pads havn't been finished, but I can point out where they will be. The earthenware vessels that are supposed to become battery cells have just been finished, and she's done good work. Very good. As long as the acid doesn't react with the glaze, these will probably work fine, and not particularly expensive either. She even managed to make the screw cap solution with molds, so they're the same and fits in all. All the most important measurements have been made with different kinds of tools, and have the same dimensions. Nice!
I really hope the vessels work. The battery vessels have been a lot of work and in a way she hasn't really worked before, and she is pleased as hell that I'm happy with her craft, and I make sure to also thank her apprentices who helped her. Apparently one of the apprentices is her daughter and I apologize for the misunderstanding. There's so many language nuances thats hard to understand, or remember to use correctly.
I like that she made sure to arrange three wooden boxes with wood shavings to carry them in, and I can imagine that especially the transport of delicate earthenwares can be a problem, and I offer her to join us for a shorter ride in the carriage, so she can see how it might help. She apologize and after a quick wash and cloth change, she returns in a finer dress and without her leather apron. Its just a short loop, but she is very impressed, not least when I say that she is the first we let try. Before we leave, I place an order for thin 15cm long earthenware pipes to run a power line through a wall. It feels better than just pulling it against the wood. I prefer to take every measure to reduce the risk of a fire.
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Its nice to see Olafr, but he completely agrees that the brass leaf springs are nicer, and will stay nicer than steel springs in the long run, but he almost seems eager to make them anyway, just because it's absurd and it would be like 'rolling around on swords'.
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They're really eager to reach the seamstress guild, and we order drapes for the carriage. Matching blue with yellow elements and accents, and my sambos also want four small pillows to have in the corners, which can also be useful when we 'sleep'. I hear the air quotes. I wonder when the carriage will be 'inaugurated'. Of course, my sambos doesn't mind at all that the women of the guild take fabric samples out with them, so they can hold up and see what looks best, and the seamstresses can marvel at our carriage. They have clearly started to 'pimp my ride', and soon there's also talk about nice matching blankets to store in the space under the benches, for colder days in the autumn or when we're going to 'sleep'. I catch the amused glances and giggles by the seamstresses. Alith and Bodil have already hung their shields in the intended places, and I hear Gunhild and Alith is planning to hide a couple of swords, axes, and store extra arrows etc. Bodil add flint, steel and tinder, which is a very good idea. When we get back to the farm I allow them to try and shoot arrows from the moving carriage. Soon there's also discussions about decorating the horse's buckles to match. When we leave the seamstress guild, a crowd has gathered to look at the carriage.
After buying an axe, flint, steel and tinder, they buy cookies and it will be a detour back to the farm. They know that I like to test everything carefully, and this time can't be different. I let them have this little victory, because they are so happy and proud, and the weather is nice. They all understand why I was a little dissatisfied with our old wagon, and if the roads were even better, it would be so very comfortable and pleasant. My plans for connecting the islands with a bridge, and making a road connection to Orusingen, has received even more enthusiastic support. Hell, if the weather is bad, they probably will have someone drive the carriage for even the short distances on the island. Two of them will probably be Furstesses.
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The evening is calm, relaxing and pleasant. Iselin and I talk, listen to music, dance and just enjoy each other's company, more or less intimately. Man, I love her.