Back to Hillend

Another good turnout today with 5 of us going back to Hillend. The weather forecast promised a fine rain free day, so of course it belted it down, (in fit's and starts).
Barry sorted out a few problems left over from our last stint whilst Catriona and I brought the rest of the wall up to topper height. Graham and Duncan did the selfless work of tidying up the remaining stone and starting to take down the next section.
We retired to Justin's workshop when the rain became really heavy and called it a day at 2 ish when the combination of wetness and a steep bank threatened our unblemished accident record.

 Front of wall at the end of the day

Back of wall at the end of the day

The fruit of Duncan and Graham's dismantling efforts

Richard H.

No. Wallers: 5

Finishing off at Brookside

A good sized team turned out for the last week at Fellbeck. Graham and I scoured the site for toppers, whilst the rest of the gang added the two extra courses needed to bring the wall up to hight. Duncan, Catriona and Barry on one side and Rod on his own on the other side valiantly trying to keep up. The rain came a bit earlier than forecast so we carried on through lunchtime in order to finish off the job; get the toppers on and tidy up.

Morning Break

Richard H.
No. Wallers: 6

A new Waller!

Duncan’s  keen navigation skills meant an early arrival for his introductory walling session so he was ready & waiting when Paul & Barry turned up, soon to be joined by Roderick.  Catriona had sent apologies having to supervise workmen who failed to appear the day before.
After straightening one of the pins that must have been used as a scratching post by a grazing beast, the lines were set and courses laid. Much use of the hammer testified to an awkwardness of available stone. Duncan demonstrated a good eye for stone dimensions and got a feel for the character of the sandstone and we were pleased to have his assistance.
Showery conditions after lunch developed into more persistent rain so we called a halt at 2.30 before getting soaked.
Another course and a half will bring the wall to height: sourcing and shaping toppers will be a challenge on our next visit.

Barry S.
No. Wallers: 4

Soogy Summer

Rich, Catriona & Barry ascended into the Fellbeck cloud to continue the ‘Hammerson’ stint from last week. Despite the inner warmth bestowed by ginger cake, the increasing precipitation drove us away at 2pm. However a good depth of stone brought the courses up quite well during the morning’s work with a sound basis for the next session.

 Morning break

 After the rains came

Barry S.
No Wallers:3

From Darn Sarff.

It was a pretty nice day to give an introduction to walling to a group of 7 corporate volunteers from London so that's what Graham, Barry and I did. 

I'm not sure we've made any die hard converts, but they all seemed enthusiastic and managed to nearly finish off the foundations and do 3 extra courses on the built up section.
Liz and Harry (Liz's son) were there to lend a hand as well. Harry performing valuable service on walling filling duty.

Richard H.
No. Wallers: 11

Return to Brookside

Despite an elongated scenic route to site for both Graham and I, occasioned by road closures, a good sized gang made a start on the wall at Brookside farm in preparation for a group of corporate volunteers arriving on the 7th August. Rod, Barry, Catriona Graham and I took down what is left of the surviving wall and did a couple of courses and arranged the rest of the stone in suitable order on a pleasantly warm day with no rain in sight!

Richard H.
No Wallers: 5

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In other news.

Since the diversion in our route sent Graham and I near to an old site I decided to have a look at the Old Sheepfold at Winksley. As you can see from the pictures it is not easy to get to, there's no clear pathway, the whole wood is overgrown, the entrance to the sheepfold is littered with fallen branches and the interior of the fold is completely overgrown.

 The other side? Oh yeah, that still looks pretty good!

Hot and Sticky

A decent sized team worked in the heat July to add a bit of height to Hillend. Rod, and Catriona worked on the southern end, and was a welcome appearance from Tony who sorted out the northern end, whilst Justin and I worked in the middle. Barry, very selflessly, acted as quarryman and courier, finding useful stone in Justin's ever diminishing stone pile and hand delivering to the wall side.

And the reward for everyone's efforts? Spending their lunchtime filling in blinking AONB forms!

Morning

Lunch time

End of the day

Barry attributed, and photographed, stone of the day 

Start and end of the day (Tony's photos)

Richard H.

No. Wallers: 6