The Return of the Seven

Now that the snow has nearly gone the group returns to Markenfield with another team of seven (Barry, Chris, Graham, Roderick, Richard, Val and Tony).

Before the team arrive

The team take up their positions

Tony checks out a vital communication link to Markenfield Hall before starting work

Back after the lunch break

Who is that hiding behind the wall ? 

Graham searches for the right size stone

The view from the other side of the wall

Tony throws in his hat as finishing time approaches

Who is that leaving early ?

More to do next week 

The answers to the questions are Barry and Roderick 

No of wallers - 7

Tony

Many Returns

This week was a week of returns. Roderick came back from Portugal, Catriona came back from the dead (or was it just the flu), and Chris came back for the first time in a year, which we only allowed 'cause he brought Val with him.
It was a bracing day but not as cold as the past few weeks, and spurred on by the cold we managed to get a pretty decent amount done. One section near completion and another taken down and rebuilt to the fourth course.

The only issue we had all day was that Roderick became very concerned about my underwear, likening my attire to that of John Major in a Steve Bell cartoon, I tried to reassure him that it was only a pair of cycling shorts with the arm loops dangling, but he was not to be reassured.

No. Wallers: 7 (Richard, Roderick, Graham, Barry, Chris, Val, Catriona)
Richard H.

Half a Day

The same team as last time (Graham, Barry and me) did a half day in even less hospitable conditions than least week. The sky was not a nice bright blue but a sombre grey and we decided to give up at lunch time as it started to shed its contents upon us.

No Wallers: 3

Frozen Moat of Markenfield

Graham, Barry and I turned up on the coldest day of the year so far to find the Moat of Markenfield frozen. We ventured down to the wall on a beautifully frozen path which kept my boots in the pristine buffed and shining condition I'm known for keeping them in.
The stones were stuck to the ground with a nice layer of frost, and hands began to freeze if not continuously employed, but otherwise it was a very lovely bright and crisp day, with the odd hare, squirrel, and great tit to keep us company.
We also found a cockle well out of his natural habitat but s/he'll find a lovely place somewhere in the wall.
My sparkling footwear was ruined on the way back due to a thaw in the conditions  and a resulting squelch underfoot.

No. Wallers: 3