Alfheimr Renaissance

Our entourage has grown since they know the plan, and it is a large procession as we head for the village to look at the apartment blocks and water wheels. We keep what happens inside the mechanical lab and the metal workshop somewhat secret, but we show the sawmill which have impresses the guests. The guests have of course heard rumours - enthusiastic rumours - and they have taken walks and stood on the bridge to look at the wheels, the sawmill and log transportation, but haven't gotten a proper showing. The whole principle of water power is fascinating and impressive, and although there apparently are a few simpler water wheels in southern countries and Reiekrône have some, it just hasn't caught on here in the north. But I suspect it will spread rapidly over the coming years. I can show and explain working systems and have solved all the tricky details, and people will be able to see all the use it can have.

It is obvious that the village is not an ideal spot for the sawmill, and the only reason it is here is this is where the hydropower is available, but the amount of water available is limited and that water is not reused. Rain fill the lake. I've actually considered building a wind powered sawmill down by the shore, since that is where the logs are, and wind is everywhere, but not all the time. It would also have been nice to have some sort of larger reservoir to get more constant and predictable electrical power. So I have already decided to build wind-pumped hydropower in suitable valleys in the forests in the north of both islands, because wind is something that is mostly available, and if I need a lot of energy input, scattered wind turbines that via electrical energy or long mechanical flatrod system can pump up water. Such systems were commonly used to transfer mechanical power several hundred meters, and several kilometers is possible, but I won't build something that long. Inefficiency is acceptable as long as it works, and I prefer low easy maintenance. When it comes to the dams, there will be built a high water head but low volume dam on northwestern Big Ackerek, northern of the strait, which will be filled with wind-pumped salt water, and that dam systems primary purpose is to operate a sawmill with a future carpentry workshop, and will have a water head of about 20 meters above the sea and be 65,000m³. I would have preferred to not use salt water, but it is effective and there is no need for a lower dam to catch the water, and I simply cannot wait for the ponds to fill with rainwater since that will take years. The location on the side of a mountain with solid bedrock means that the salt water should not be able to contaminate the island's groundwater. I have to accept the salt water corrosion problem, and if it is needed for maintenance the dam can be completely emptied since the dam is filled from the sea. Should the dam collapse, the water will rush out into the sea and be of no issue. The sawmill will be higher and protected by the geography and should not affected at all.

So the first dam to be built will be that salt water dam and primarily for a new sawmill, and the location right next to the sea makes it easy to transport logs there, and to delivering sawn planks and wood via boat or barge even before a road is built to the site. There will be so much more space for logs drying and finished planks and other things, and its new location also means that the sawmill with its stock of logs will not be an eye-sore and frankly quite hidden since the location can only really be seen from the strait or across the strait from the north-eastern part of this island.

The two larger fresh water dam systems, one on each island, are simply two dams, where wind power pumps the water up from lower to upper dam, and water flows back down to the lower dam when we need electricity, and we can regulate flow and electricity production. The upper dam on each system will have a larger volume than the lower, partially because of water head, but most importantly because the upper dam will also be a potable water reservoir to irrigate the fields and feed the water towers on both islands via buried pipes. The roughly estimated volume of Small Ackerek's dams located in the northwestern part, is 75'000m³ on the lower and 90'000m³ on the upper, while Big Ackerek's dams are 220'000m³ on the lower and 440'000m³ on the upper. The lower dams are practically dammed bays. Each dam will have a masonry core firmly anchored into the hillside to stop water undermining the dam, which is then covered with clay and soil for stability. I am worried about how durable the dams will be, so the locations are both chosen so the dams are in the northern forests and facing the sea. If one or more dams fail, there is nothing there that can be damaged, and more than a kilometer across the bay to the other shore. The disadvantage of these dam projects, is that based on about 1000 mm of rain per year per square meter, it will take 2 years to start being able to be used and 5 years for the dams to be filled with rain and reach full effect. But then electrical energy will be available when we need it. The light bulb experiment showed how inefficient those will be, so just lighting will require lots of available power, which the wind pumped hydro system will provide. The wind is the energy, while the dams are the energy storage. With inefficiency, I roughly calculate that Small Ackerek's system will have about 1MWh, and around 3 MWh for Big Ackerek.

For irrigation and transport of water to the water tower in Ackerek's village, a small wind-pumped water tower will stand on a small hill above the upper dam, and via a long and buried pipeline through the forest, that follows elevation curves as it slowly descends for a steady flow, the water will flown to the village's combined water tower-clock tower, as a backup if there is a problem with the water in the lake. At the same time, there will be pipelines buried to feed sprinklers on some of the fields in the valley. If it works well, there will be more buried pipelines and sprinklers and installed for all the fields that might need it, and maybe there will be a separate pipeline to the guest mansion and to my mansion. The village water tower can't feel those locations, but a higher water tower over there can. A similar system for drinking water and irrigation is will be made from the upper dam on Big Ackerek. Water for drinking and irrigation is literally a matter of life and death, so I really want to prioritise that, and all these projects will provide good practice for similar ones elsewhere. Roads for construction also open up the forest for exploitation and easier access. It will be a lot of work to move the amount of material needed for those dams, so dozens of wheelbarrows and other things will be made for those huge projects. It would have been quite fast to build with modern excavators and trucks, but here it will be manual work.

We have reached the village, and I present Jofreydr, Awdgotr and Saeunn who are dressed up and looking good, and they are proud to explain to their visitors. Logs have been prepared, because with the multi-blade saws, they have become so proficient and fast that they can saw planks faster than the logs get here.

We start by the small stream and I explain that I also buy logs from nearby islands and the mainland. The ends of the logs are tarred and the logs are floated here by being tied together into larger rafts that are rowed here across the water. The logs are taken up where the stream flow out into the sea where a pull-up ramp has been built, which is the closest, straightest and flattest route to the sawmill. There is also already a large but simple warehouse there for construction projects. Next year will need a lot of timber, and we're basically accumulation everything so it can be dried. Sure, there is like 500 meters transport to the sawmill, but it's a flat, straight road. The stream along with the road has already been somewhat widened and straightened, and a large dam is being built where the stream flows into the bay, so it will work better as a logging channel, just to make the transportation to the sawmill more efficient. A horse can then pull a bundle of logs using the canal, or a man can use a pole to move the logs forward. Freshwater transport and intermediate storage also help wash away saltwater from the bark.

Once at the hauling zone, a small shallow dam and channel have been made leading to a hydro-powered roller conveyor, which transports log after log up the hill to the sawmill's log storage, with minimal manpower and horse requirements. There are two small simple flat bridges so the the roller conveyor go under the lower and upper road, road transport is not hindered or blocked. The shape and length of the hill has made us build the roller conveyor as two separate sections, but it is also good for safety and efficiency as only one log can be on a conveyor at a time. To demonstrate, the hydropower is turned on so the conveyor start moving, and we watch as they slide a log floating in the channel to the conveyor, and the log slowly begins to be transported up the hill. Guests stand on the bridges and watch as the log is transported underneath, until the log reaches the top and automatically rolls to the small log storage for drying off the surface water. The disadvantage of logging is that the log gets wet, but if it is done relatively quickly, the log does not have time to absorb much water, and the ends are sealed with tar. If the wood is really dry beforehand, it doesn't take long before the surface is dry again. It would have been possible to build roller conveyor all the way from the log warehouse by the shore, but we have limited water power and it's not worth it, and there was already a creek. In the future there will be flat bottomed punt boats to transport the dried logs to the conveyor, with larger barges used to transport logs to the islands.

When the log wagon arrives here, it will be intended for transport on the islands and from the forest in the north, and it will probably be one person whose primary task is using the log wagon, and whose secondary task is to help get logs into the sawmill or work involving logs. There will be a carpentry shop at the new sawmill, but the villages carpentry shop will remain because its use of water is much less than the sawmill, and when the sawmill disappears, there will be more room in the carpentry shop and for other things. I also have a lot of projects that involve wood and metal work, and it is easier for the craftsmen to talk and work if they are close.

So much sawn planks will be made. Many buildings only need a simple wall to protect against rain, wind and animals, and sawn planks, which used to be expensive and a lot of work, can now cover a larger area than just using the log directly would have done. Something like a plank becomes a fairly economical solution, and much less work to build than it used to be. Of course they have used split logs before to make less important planks, but the surface has been uneven and with splinters. It has required a lot of work and time with axes and planes, and a person can only do so many in a day or over a year, no matter how skilled. But beside production efficiency, a sawmill can standardise dimensions of planks, and that will make such a difference in construction, furniture and barrel manufacturing and shipbuilding.

The sawyers gives our guest a good show as they saw off ends and make planks to our guests amazement. The power planer is not quite finished yet, but it can be shown, and the finished plank that comes out looks really good. The sawyers and craftsmen love it, and the sawyers show how exactly alike they can make planks by making another planed plank. In a short time, a log has been transformed into fine planed planks, and it is so easy and fast, and the saw is already sawing up another log as we speak. The sawmill in Laxlanda will basically be the same as this once we have solved everything and refined the technology and operation, and the new sawmill on Big Ackerek will be built with a lot of improvements and improved work flow. Of course, our guests talk about how much faster something like a Longship can be built, and Maurr is a bit smug when he tells us that he has already spoken to the shipbuilder who made my Laxlanda ferry about collaborating to specifically make Longships and Knarrar for others. I'm not that interested in ships even though I'm likely to get a lot constructed for me during my lifetime, but I probably want a machine shop and factory in Laxlanda just because there is hydropower, and it would also be possible to make a production line for barrels there. Using machines will also make barrels faster and more accurate than complete handwork. Myrun points out that there is a barrel binder in Skiringalr, whose apprentice would certainly like to have the opportunity to start his own business, so I ask Myrun to ask if the apprentice could come to the Tings two months from now. There is a lot of production work I can use power for, and frankly, I would gladly hog all the land close to the water power in Laxlanda. I won't need it for a lot of years, but eventually I might. Rotational energy is harder to transfer than back and forth flatrod system. I can be done, using a ratcheting converter or three flatrods, but I prefer to not have unnecessary complications. Skiringalr has two rivers and the one from the lake falls quite far on the short stretch out to the sea, so Myrun wants a large sawmill there. I expect that in the future many, many sawmills will be built around the country, and Myrun offers me to own the Skiringsalr sawmill with a similar agreement that Maurr has in Laxlanda, so I'm surprised but hardly complain. Myrun has certainly made a balance between complexity, politics and economics, because otherwise she would have built and owned everything herself. Although she might think more long term and give me a reason to build more manufacturing facilities there.

The saw that saws of the log ends doesn't do anything while the other saws are working, and it they show how the the end saw can now be used to saw suitable lengths from a log that is too short, waste pieces or just sawn-off ends. Those pieces are then split into fire wood. Even a bad crocked log can become firewood. The firewood doesn't even have to be split by hand, because the wood splitter is basically finished. There are things to improve but it works well enough for a demonstration, and Awdgotr rolls a length into position, moves the lever into split position, and the wood is forced against the splitting blade which begins to split the wood. When it has almost reached the end, the operating arm is reversed, and the driver starts to return to its original position where it stops. Just drop the wood in the chute which leads to a basket or via another chute out to a cart, and roll a new log piece into position. The full cart can then easily deliver the firewood to the storage piles or just directly to the mansion or where it should be used and the firewood will be stacked and ready for use. The residents here will not have to spend a lot of time and effort on firewood, which also makes firewood cheaper. Storman Maurr almost drools when I confirm that Laxlanda will get something similar, but due to a larger potential market as it is easy to ship firewood via the river to Tingshamn and Borgarsandr, there will be a separate part of the sawmill that specialises in just producing split firewood, with many saws and wood splitters as demand increases. The sawmill at Elfhamr will have a similar system because the entire Big Lake can float logs there and ships can transport firewood back. Just a small cost and time to have it cut up and split at the sawmill, and Myrun of course wants the same in Skiringsalr.

Iselin have noticed that Engdrid has finished the prototype spinning wheel and the carding machine, and Iselin's ill-concealed enthusiasm brings the machines more attention than I wanted, but the guests accept that I have secrets and am working on prototypes that are not yet ready to be introduced. Instead, I try to show my new 'advanced' ladders. It is basically a 'modern' extendable aluminium ladder but made in wood, and the longest version has supports that extend out on the side at the bottom to be much more side stable, and they can also be set up as an A style ladder. The ladders have already started to be used on construction projects here, and together with tool vests and tool belts, they are very much appreciated, unlike safety harnesses. I don't want anyone to die, lose their life or break a leg when it could easily have been avoided. There have been several close call situations, and I should have improved ladders far earlier. Pedr is well aware that I hold him accountable for my safety regulations being followed, and I have started thinking about making and enforcing construction helmets, at least when they are at a higher height or have people working above them. If I can build a stamping press to form things like construction helmets would be very useful and make them cheaper. Probably not a market for them, but the same machine with another die should be able to make armoured helmets and pieces of body armour, and that will have a larger market. Which reminds me that I have to get a piece of 'jack of plate' style armour made, to test penetration resistance.

So many projects.

We've already had some snow, which melted quickly, but carpenter Engdrid has been given my sketches and tasked with making a horse-drawn snow plough to make it easier to clear the roads. I hope the width is not too much for a horse, but he will make two blade widths, and those who plough must choose blades in relation to snow depth and how sticky and wet the snow is. It doesn't have to be perfect, just so it's easier to walk on the roads, and keep away the eventual mush. It could have been snow chaos a month ago, so this should have been built already, but better late than never. Eventually we will get 1-2 dm of snow over a day. The ice on the lake is already thick enough that it carries people, but we will let the ice grow thicker while it's cold. If it starts to thaw, they will saw up the ice and get it into the ice house. Usually, the coldest part of winter is in January or February, but snow and ice can happen between September and May, at least in the inland.

Saeunn is proud when she shows our powerful guests how the grain mill and fulling mill works. Saeunn has more or less accidentally become responsible for both. She's here anyway, and it's not that often they're used. It's not a very heavy job either, as sacks and barrels are loaded from the yard above and moved with simple blocks and a crane etc, and the sawyers are on the other side of the yard and can help if it's really needed. But this is a world and life where women have very physically demanding jobs and most have good muscles. Saeunn show the fulling mill in operation and how the stale urine soaked cloth have transformed over four to six hours. Damn noisy process, but we're working on making it slightly less noisy.

We knew that the guests would not be able to avoid seeing Klakki and Eymörd's area, and they have of course been looking on from the background, so I show another simpler use of water wheels by introducing my 'clay men' Klakki and Eymörd showing how the roof tiles are made in the simple clay extrusion machine that is under the canopy outside the stamping mill. They've gotten proficient, and the huge demand for roof tiles means they almost only make roof tiles. There has already been a modification to the extrusion machine so it can make pipes instead of just roof tiles, because just like roof tiles, clay pipes is really needed, but not in the same amount. However, the pipes have a much lower production rate in order for the pipes to retain their shape and thus be usable. We are trying to dry the clay with the kiln's waste heat to control the humidity of the clay, and eventually there will be a new extrusion machine that preferably makes meter long pipe sections with flanges. But then the clay must be stable enough for that during drying. It's a development process.

My clay men have the special pottery kiln with it's drying room as well, and as usual it is in use right now. Klakki and Eymörd take turns guarding the kiln at night, and during the day they guard the kiln while they make more tiles and pipes for the next firing. They work ridiculously long hours, but when the oven is cooling down, they have a day off, and both honestly seem to think it's a really good job that they're proud to do. Hafle mostly works with forests and firewood during the day, but often helps them when his other workday is over. Everyone really wants to show that I will not regret making them free necks. They are former slaves who would have been satisfied with much less, but Klakki and Eymörd will probably get a 6x4 house to share when available, and Hafle will get an apartment so he can start a family. I try to spoil them a bit to really win their loyalty because they are at the same time making salt from the kiln's waste heat, and they are uneducated, but they are not stupid. Should they start taking salt for themselves and selling it or teaching it to others, they can earn a lot of silver, so even if that would be committing a serious crime against me and breaking their word, they might take that chance. When the solar plant in the south is finished, it will be Hafle's job to manage it.

Awdgotr and Saeunn will also be moving into one of the apartments, and I hope Saeunn can help prepare the other gardens there. I know they plan to try for a baby this spring. Rumour is, that since Saeunn got an IUD, they've been 'practising' a lot. Awdgotr is 20 and Saeun will be 18 this spring, so it's 'definitely time' to have a baby. Like many young travelling workers, moving around where there is work for the season, and without a house of their own, they have had to be restrained while saving silver so both can work, and they sure didn't expect to be offered to stay here and just get to move into such a large luxurious apartment or have such fine jobs and futures. Once the sawmill move, it will be about 2.5 kilometers from the village, and I'll probably build housing close by for those working there. I wish I could have made bicycles to make commuting faster.

Jofreydr becomes prouder and happier when I offer him to move to Laxlanda and become responsible for getting that sawmill in working order, and at least in the beginning become the person in charge. We will need to hire someone or probably two to help with all the work in this sawmill, but that should be easy. There are usually one or two helping to make it run efficiently, and the sawmill isn't really affected by most weather conditions.