Damp and not Done.

Just Roderick and I (Richard H) made it today for what we hoped would be the final stint. I arrived a little late having been to Dacre Banks to see about another walling project.
When I  arrived Roderick had gone on a search further up the wall to try to find everyone thinking he had been abandoned to wall on his own.
The glorious weather of the previous few weeks had abandoned us but the cuckoos who had nearly driven Tony mad last week were in fine song. 
We stoically walled on in the drizzle before calling it a day, as the rain really began to set in, a course and a set of toppers from completion.

 

Grid Ref: SE 10716 74870

OS Map - Here

Group Leader - Richard H.

Richard

Road open to above Thrope

What a relief to find that we could now get to our normal parking area from both Lofthouse and Masham, along a newly surfaced road. First to reach the walling site was Richard P and Tony, followed later by Graham. We were joined at the coffee break by Richard H who had been discussing future walling projects with James. The team leader for today was Graham.

Just before lunch Richard P was feeling unwell and retired for the today.
 

The line is raised to reflect the true height of the wall

 

Maybe two more courses to be added next week to level out before the toppers are placed

 

Richard H places the last stone for the day

 Tony

Three set out only two arrive

I hope checking for road closure doesn't become a weekly necessity. We didn't check for road closures this week, and the road to site was blocked by a great big road surfacing vehicle. Richard P., coming from the Masham end had to admit defeat and return home, whilst Barry and I (Richard H) managed to park just outside Lofthouse and walk to site. Barry took the sensible and far more direct route. I on the other hand took the scenic route along the valley floor. This of course entailed a very steep climb at the end of the lovely stroll. After loosing half my body weight to the effort it's not a climb I intend to do again.

Between the two of us we managed to put about 7 through stones in place and complete a couple of courses. We also determined that we have enough toppers to top the ten or so meters of wall that needs topping.

 

 Late Morning

After Lunch 

The end of the day

Grid Ref: SE 10716 74870

OS Map - Here

 

Richard

Plantation Rock above Lofthouse

Back along the long and winding road to Lofthouse to the wall above Thrope Plantation.  Today's team was Graham, Paul, Richard H, Richard P and Tony.

A return to the wall we left in October last year

With the frames and lines in position lets start walling

Paul is the last man standing at the lunch break

Whilst the lunch break was in progress we were visited by David Coates with a welcome supply of his home produced ice cream

Time to pack up for the day from one of the best views in Nidderdale

Tony

Farewell to Markenfield

Not actually a final farewell as we will be back later in the year. On a perfect dry and sunny day we had a team of six (with Barry, Graham, Paul, Richard H, Roderick and Tony). The aim today was to top out the final length of the rebuilt wall and leave the site in a tidy condition. 

Position prior to lunch break

Final course before topping stones

Top stones in place

Next stretch of wall to tackle later in the year

Goodbye to Markenfield Hall

So our latest stint is c. 45 metres with our total effort to date being 175 metres (as measured by Paul).

 
Tony

Tents at Markenfield

Barry, Catriona, and I (Richard) spent a small proportion of Wednesday under a very fetching blue hue'ed makeshift den, sheltering from the rain, eating snacks discussing the matters of the moment. We emerged to do some walling at strategic moments during the day.
Graham however braved the drizzle and continued to wall, refusing the shelter provided by Catriona's tarp.

Here are some snaps:-

 

The wall by mid morning

Getting a decent (and rare) through stone in

Catriona setting up her den 

The front at the end of the day

The back at the end of the day

Grid ref: SE 29558 67806

Map : Here

Thanks to Graham for some of the pictures

Another trio of wallers on the Park Pale

Today's "crowd" was Graham, Richard P and Tony. Further progress was made towards the bend in the wall.

The position at the 12.30pm lunch break

 

With heavy rain showers and strong winds threatening it was decided to stop work at 2.00pm

At close of play

 

Tony