Today the Duyfken team are enjoying the Sydney sun (a rarity these days!) while giving the ship a lick of tar.
The tar is produced by the slow burning of pine to extract its precious sap and commonly referred to as Stockholm tar. In the late 1600s through to the 1800s pine tar production in Stockholm dominated the market, hence the name. Throughout the ages the tar has been used in the preservation for natural products, such as timber housing and traditional rigging on ships.
Miriam (pictured) says, tarring is ongoing job for Duyfken – the tar bucket is out almost every two months. It takes a long time to complete the whole ship, as it is only Miriam and Andrew onboard to keep the ship, well, ship-shape.
Interestingly, Stockholm tar is also used by vets to treat cracked hooves.