i finished off putting the tipi back up on friday. having had a lot of help last weekend this time it was just me. the inner lining is back up with new lights. the lining keeps it cosy – without it a lot of air blows through. it also makes it feel more snug.

then i also added a rain hat. i am not sure why but for the last three years we did without. so when it rained we always got some water through the top. you could stay dry out the centre. but in the kit was a rain hat which either i ignored or didn’t realise what to do with. i found it when i was digging out the instructions for how to out the tipi up. i think you get the idea from the photo. it’s a canvas diamond shape and you put a pole in the pocket and then fix it over the hole at the top with three guy ropes. that way smoke can still get out. if it’s stormy you can wrap the rain hat tighter. putting this up on my own was slightly precarious. i had several attempts – i got guy ropes wrapped around poles at the top. it was too long so i sawed it down. it was still too long so same again… anyway all that said, i eventually got it in what i hope is a good position. last week’s sawing down of the poles meant it could fit over the other poles. i hope it lasts a few more years before we have to take it down again!