A Happy Christmas to you all

 

It's been another eventful year, but despite the grip of Covid the group has managed an impressive amount of Wednesdays out in the field. Given that we didn't start till April, 30 odd weeks is a pretty decent return.

The delayed start of the year was a bit strange, with us keeping two sites going at once, but at least we weren't slowly sinking into the mud of Fogfield this year, though I did managed to get the car stuck in the mud at Brookside. Thankfully there's the stile at Fogfield to finish off so we can sink into the mud together next year.

I'm sure we were all greatly saddened by the news that our long time host at Markenfield, Ian Curteis had died. It was always a pleasure to have his intermittent visits to the Park Pale. His fulsome and heartfelt praise of our work helped to make the effort seem worthwhile. 

This year has also brought a veritable rush of new wallers to the group, I'm sorry that I haven't been around to meet them, but by the looks of what I've been posting on the blog it's been a great addition to the group, and thanks to you we've finally finished at Fellbeck (almost).

So I hope you all have a Great Christmas and a Splendid New Year.

Ta

Rich

P.S

Thanks to all the usual crew for your messages of support and concern. It's much appreciated. I hope to join you later on in the New Year (I'm not sure when yet, but I'll try to keep you posted)

Finished (Nearly)

Six of us at Brookside farm this week; Andy, Rob, Duncan, Roderick, Barry and Graham.  Andrew had kindly delivered another trailer of stone and provided Andy, Rob, Duncan and Graham with just enough to add a final course and toppers, thus completing some 60 yards of wall started in September 2018. An impressive bit of walling, particularly when you look back at the blog and see how the wall looked originally. We loaded the leftovers onto the trailer, a remarkably small amount considering the length of wall completed.
Barry and Roderick went to the other side of the field and professionally repaired a glaring gap which had been staring at us all year.
Add to all that a fine but breezy day; what more could you ask for.
Duncan and Roderick will return in the New Year to repair another gap but otherwise that's good bye to Brookside farm for the time being. 

 

The whole of the completed wall

How it used to look

A new load of stone

The final section topped out

Barry and Rod start and finish a gap in the adjoining field

Graham D.

No. Wallers: 6

Stollen moments

 A very mixed weather day for Barry, Rob, Andy, Duncan and Graham. Work started early with Barry unloading yet another delivery of stone, courtesy of Andrew who also  has to be thanked for his seasonal gift. Whilst muddy underfoot, reasonable progress was made until mid morning when rain forced everyone into the barn. After twenty minutes we returned to the wall and slightly wetter mud.  By lunchtime it had become quite cold but we carried on and by 2 o'clock another two courses had been completed. Having nearly run out of suitable walling stone, we decided to put on some toppers. All very satisfying, helped by the sun coming out, the wind dropping and  feeling much warmer than a couple of hours earlier. Hardly any  stone left but may be OK to complete next week with  some judicious shaping required. Thanks also to Barry for his stollen handouts.

Graham D.

No. Wallers: 5