As anyone in real estate can tell you, location is the key to the success of the new city-state. However the required knowledge on the beach is different from the city. A brief glimpse at the tide charts over morning coffee is far more productive than checking the business section. Experience with the swells, ebbs, and flows of the ocean count more than tracking the stock market's daily fluctuations.
Your site should be far enough from the water that the waves don't threaten the castle but close enough to the water to maintain a small pool in your supply basin. If you are too far from the ocean, the depth to which the supply basin must be dug will leave you frustrated and tired before the castle has even taken shape. Look for high water marks from the day, and start digging close to these signs, varying placement a little depending on the tide charts.
To start the construction, begin digging a hole and piling the spoils in an easily accessible location. This hole and the spoils form the foundations of the castle. Continue this work until the basin begins filling with water, seeping from within the sand, or spilling in from the ocean. Then begin to take handfuls of wet sand and begin to drip the mixture on the castle base. Continue until you have achieved enlightenment.
Variations on methods are always viable options. While I prefer the right hand, thumbs down method, others may find it easier to dribble with their left hand, or using a thumbs up form. I have also seen a pointer finger guided system and a finger-formed dispensary cone function. Be sure to experiment with different levels of compression on the sand water mixture in your hand. Remember the most intricate and delicate castles are made with fine grained sand.
Common Formations
Drip castle layouts are based on free form design, but some formations tend to find their way into most constructions. Look for the following, try to imitate them, or create your own!
Your site should be far enough from the water that the waves don't threaten the castle but close enough to the water to maintain a small pool in your supply basin. If you are too far from the ocean, the depth to which the supply basin must be dug will leave you frustrated and tired before the castle has even taken shape. Look for high water marks from the day, and start digging close to these signs, varying placement a little depending on the tide charts.
Variations on methods are always viable options. While I prefer the right hand, thumbs down method, others may find it easier to dribble with their left hand, or using a thumbs up form. I have also seen a pointer finger guided system and a finger-formed dispensary cone function. Be sure to experiment with different levels of compression on the sand water mixture in your hand. Remember the most intricate and delicate castles are made with fine grained sand.
1. The classic spire.