Have you ever made a pirate treasure map?

I don't know what had prompted Ben's interest in making a treasure map, but I was duly enlisted to assist with its creation.

Once you've established the shape of your 'island' you then get to add the more interesting features …. an erupting volcano, a lake with rivers, a native village, secret pathways, shipwrecks and finally mark the location of the hidden treasure, suitably illustrated by an old sea chest dripping with gold coins and jewels.

Seems like fun? Well, maybe, but the map doesn't look authentic when it's drawn on a sheet of A4 paper taken from the computer printer. Try the scissors …. by cutting round the edges, you can make the paper look worn and tattered. It's still white paper however and doesn't look authentic (what difference does it make I hear you ask ….. nevertheless ….).

Soak it in cold tea and dry it in the oven? Yes, that's a good one …. but not if, like me, you've drawn your map with felt tip pens (pirate version). Your map will dissolve as it soaks and the treasure will be lost forever. The secret is to soak your paper first, then dry it, shape it and finally draw the map (Yes! I know its obvious).

Well my paper was drying in the oven, but before I could use it Ben had taken it, drawn on his map, rolled it up and secured it with 'pirate' rope and put it in his school bag to hand to his teacher the next day.

Should I be disappointed? I suppose not …. I was only there to assist, after all. I could always ask his teacher about it at the next Parents Evening.

M D