Finished A Low wood Farm

Resources were split this week with Andy, Rod and Graham finishing work around the gate at Low Wood Farm . There will be a separate blog for the start of Picking Gill involving Barry, Duncan and Rob. A fine day at Low Wood Farm, with the completion of the right-hand cheekend linking into a buttress to match up to the adjoining walls. This represented the completion of the job and by all accounts it has been an enjoyable wall to work on. Once again, but for the final time cake (almond and cherry) was provided by Sally who also came to view the final result and thank us once again. 

Graham D.

No Wallers: 3

Coffee and walnut

 We hoped that this would be our final week at Low Wood Farm but rain and impending bad weather drove us away at lunchtime. Eight of us this time; Andy, Duncan, Rob, Rod, Chris, Val Barry and Graham.  Andy, Duncan and Rob finished the final 20 yards of toppers at the far end and Barry and Rod completed the cheek end to the left of the gate posts. Since last week, Richard had fitted the gate providing an almost finishing touch to this mammoth job.  Chris, Val and Graham set about the cheek end at the right hand gate post which became a major demolition job and ended up being unfinished when rain stopped play. There will be a final visit next week by a small group to complete the job but lunchtime included a completion toast to this fine wall. For those interested in stats, the length of the rebuilt wall is 92 of Barry's steps and 110 of Graham's. This week's cake, provided by Sally, was coffee and walnut and pies were provided by Rod. We had another long chat with Sally, who once again seemed very pleased with what we've done and invited us back to look at it at our leisure.

 

Graham D.

No Wallers: 8

Keep Fit!

One of the dampest weeks for a long time, although not torrential, and we were able to do a full stint.  Even though Chris and Val had to opt out, there were still six of us Barry, Rob, Rod, Duncan, Andy and Graham.

Barry and Rod set about the cheek end at the start of the wall, Richard (Kendall) having put in a couple of gate posts. As was to be expected, the job required working back along the wall to find something reasonably intact but the end result looks very good, helped by the size of stone available.  The rest of us worked on and completed  the final section of wall (at least as far as we had decided to go) except for toppers. Next week should be our final week on site with 20 metres of toppers to find and the second cheek end to complete.

Late morning was notable for a visit from Graham's "Keep Fit" friends who had made a special detour from their Dacre Banks, Glasshouses, Brimrocks Rocks walk to see the wall. It is believed they thought it was a good wall with nice waves in it!

 

 

 

Graham D.

No. Wallers: 6

A bit of a lemon drizzle

 Andy, Duncan, Rob, Rod, Val and Chris all on site today.

Val and Duncan added a couple of courses to the higher section while the rest of us brought the new final section up by a couple of tricky courses (well, I thought they were tricky anyway!).

Stone supplies are becoming an issue but cake supplies were well maintained by our hosts, who seem genuinely pleased and surprised by how much we have achieved and delivered lemon drizzle cake to prove it.

The weather threatened but remained dry.

 

Chris G.

No. wallers: 6

Flapjacks

 Yet another fine , relatively mild, but blustery day.  Four of us this week;  Barry, Andy, Graham plus a new volunteer, Rod who was giving walling a go for the first time.

Barry and Graham put another two courses on the half built section and Andy and Rod worked on clearance and foundations on the next and nearly final bit of our rebuilding.  Two substantial courses completed by them with  Rod showing a natural affinity to walling.

Richard (from the farm house) came along to see us and apart from thanking us once again, showed us where a tin of freshly baked flapjacks were hidden. Very nice and thanks to Sally!

 

 

 

Graham D.

No. Wallers: 4

Posts and gate

 Just three of us this week; Andy, Barry and Graham.  A fine but cold day with a thin covering of snow around about.

With a view to Richard (our host) erecting a gate post at the start of the wall, we began by taking down the wall either side of the entrance to the wood, hopefully leaving enough space for posts and gate .  It is likely that we will need to return in the future to rebuild the cheek ends.

After coffee break we returned to last week's site and added another couple of courses.

 

 

 

 

Graham D.

No. Wallers: 3

Snow Flecks

 Three teams of two tackled the continuing job at Low Wood Farm on a cold but dry day. Chris & Val laid more courses on their stint below the holly tree, while Rob & Duncan moved massive foundation stones into place on the neighbouring section and added two more hefty courses. Andy & Barry tidied the further section to retain most of the existing wall, and then dismantled the following stint, laying a foundation and a first course. A productive and satisfying day undeterred by flecks of afternoon snow, with a 3pm finish.

 

Barry S.

No. Wallers: 6

Paul makes a visit

Seven of us this week Barry, Val, Chris, Andy, Rob, Graham and a special visit from Tony. Another fine morning and pleasant walling weather. Val, Chris, Andy and Graham put a further four courses on the existing stretch and then topped out. Tony and Rob did some further clearing on the next section including more bar work and unearthing some more very large stones. Tony was left to start foundations while Rob joined Barry clearing a tree stump and preparing for yet another section of walling. Just after two o'clock, the topping out was completed, a fine drizzle started and an early finish was called. Just as we were about to leave Paul arrived, having walked up from the Brimham car park. We were then able to show off our walling skills to him! Very nice to see him.

 

 

 

Graham D.

Photos Tony and Graham

No. Wallers: 7

 

 

Tree stumps don't stump

Andy, Val, Chris and Graham this week.  Thick mist in Ripon but lovely bright blue sky at Brimham and apart from  a brief spell around lunchtime it stayed like that all day. It was another week of large stones and bar work. A pleasing three and a half courses completed which probably understated the effort imparted but overall a very rewarding session. Tree stumps are creating the need for a curving wall and for which Chris is looking at some creativity on the next section!  Watch this space.

 

 

Graham D.

No. Wallers:4