After a very stressful day...

[AcidHawk]

After a very stressful day at work ... and I'm sure work is not supposed to be this bad ... I decided to take a couple hours off and just take it easy at home.

While lying on my bed I remembered that I had seen an old queen-size sheet in the linen cupboard. (Very green - I don't remember purchasing something that colour)

I decided to see how quickly I could put together my second DIY hammock. (The first one I put up in our living room for the kids to try.)

After I started folding the material I realised that I had NO IDEA what I was doing... I carried on regardless...

I grabbed a few meters of the only rope I had lying around. Looked up how to tie the end of a hammock Here on YouTube and got started.

This is how my knot turned out


I had an old ground sheet (not waterproof) but I needed the shade and strung it above my hammock.

This was the result.


As you can see I have the tiniest garden in the world... but ..it is still big enough for me to hang in!!!!

Here is a look inside



What I learned from my de-stressing exercise..

1. It is a very simple hobby to get started with.
2. There is still loads for me to learn... (I can only tie a bowline knot)
3. I can already feel that I will be comfortable in a hammock - I was worried about this.
4. Even with the simplest of materials you can fashion a very comfortable hammock.
5. Working with your hands is a definate stress reliever.

I must say. It is going to be a load easier to go forward from here. I need to learn so much about hanging and building my own Hammocks. Loads to look forward to.

BTW - I am also VERY impressed with my little welding. I had to weld an eye onto the bolt of a Rawl Bolt to fasten into the wall.

Even in the smallest garden in Africa all I can think of is "What a way to relax..."

[AcidHawk]

So ... I just lay in the hammock for a little over a hour.

I can't believe that I can even lie on my side (I fell asleep for a quick 20 min power nap... )

I tried to put a pad between the layers of the hammock but did not really find that comfortable.. I have decided that for cold I will definitely look at making myself an under quilt.

I may even try to sleep there tonight.

[Shug]

Hey Ho AcidHawk........
Your post of your de-stressing tickled me to the core!!!! Atta boy ...... looks fantastic
You may as well go for an underquilt .... I did pads for a year and was fine and dandy but the UQ is the way to go for warmth and comfort ... oh sweet hammock nirvana.
Top of the class for enthusiasm!!!!
Just keep an eyeball on your knots.....
Here is a terrific knot link:http://www.animatedknots.com/indexsc...matedknots.com
Shug

[elcolombianito]

I may even try to sleep there tonight.

Yep, if you don't have to sleep in a bed (say, because of a wife) , and you can hang the hammock inside, you'll just end switching the bed for the hammock.

Do try to make the hammock more wide so you can achieve more diagonal, hence flatter lay. And remember to hang the foot end a little higher.

Welcome to the hanging bliss!

[OldnSlow]

Aren't those hammock tests (naps) in the fresh air just wonderful stress relievers? WAY TO GO! You are doing wonderfully for your first effort. I was too chicken to start with a DIY.

John

[Hawk-eye]

Aren't those hammock tests (naps) in the fresh air just wonderful stress relievers? WAY TO GO! You are doing wonderfully for your first effort. I was too chicken to start with a DIY.

John

HEY ... they're not naps ... that's strictly hard core research ... at it's finest!

Great post there Acidhawk ... as one bird to another

[BillyBob58]

Hey Ho AcidHawk........
Your post of your de-stressing tickled me to the core!!!! Atta boy ...... looks fantastic
You may as well go for an underquilt .... I did pads for a year and was fine and dandy but the UQ is the way to go for warmth and comfort ... oh sweet hammock nirvana.
Top of the class for enthusiasm!!!!
Just keep an eyeball on your knots.....
Here is a terrific knot link:http://www.animatedknots.com/indexsc...matedknots.com
Shug

And keep an eye on what you are attaching to. Hammocks put a lot of force on whatever you hook to, especially if you don't use a lot of sag. Regardless, way to go!

[mbiraman]

Ahhhh, i try to power nap every afternoon for 20 mins or so. Good for you.

[AcidHawk]

Thanks for the comments folks, they are really encouraging.

I was quite happy with the result in spite of my limited knowledge and the little amount of time to took to hang.

I will be researching the following during the next week.

1. Suspension methods
2. How to widen the hammock
3. How to do the folds/gather correctly

Shug: Thanks for the link, my knots will surely improve greatly now.

OldnSlow: I will admit I did get in very carefully. But I figured that I could only fall 2 -3 feet.

HEY ... their not naps ... that's strictly hard core research ... at it's finest!

Great post there Acidhawk ... as one bird to another

Fantastic ... I could become a professional researcher ...what are the chances of that being a stressful job?

[Hawk-eye]

Fantastic ... I could become a professional researcher ...what are the chances of that being a stressful job?

Well it takes lots and lots of practice to become proficient!