WhaHooo! My new Robert Mackie balmoral came in yesterday, courtesy of Redshanks [Chris] at Dunadd Trading. My purchase was, of course, inspired by Jock Scott's thread on shaping a bonnet. I dedicate my purchase and this thread to Jock Scott. In a stunning display of my lack of originality, I ordered exactly the same color and configuration. I hereby embark upon my own implementation of Jock's shaping procedure.

First, here it is fresh out of the package:



Three quarter view:



Side view:



While I do have a creek at the bottom of my hill, it is part of a public park, and subject to chemical effluent, littering and vandalism by disaffected youth, so discretion being the better part of valor, I determined to use a bucket placed securely in a utility sink:



Bonnet and collection of washed rocks from the creek, ready to go:



Rocks in place:



Initial submersion--not enough rocks...



More rocks, full submersion...



Happy bonnet...



That's today's part of the effort. Will post more as I go through the succeeding stages. Jock, you may have created a monster...you may be responsible for the summary drowning of scores of bonnets the world over...Thank you so much for your contributions!