Heavy Heavy

Catriona, Graham Barry and I spent a lovely bright and sunny day lugging great big boulders all over the place. I for one had to strip of my outer layers of clothing which did little to stop me perspiring. Having only brought my winter rations of water I was flagging towards the end of the day but Barry very kindly furnished me with a spare bottle he had brought. I'm glad people feel able to help out the frailer members of the group in sure ways.
Barry and I worked on one section whilst Catriona and Graham put an extra course on the existing wall.
Wildlife was limited to a single hare, and the usual birds.

Morning

lunch

Afternoon

Afternoon

Richard H.

No. wallers: 4.

New Style Toppers?

Graham , Catriona & Barry set themselves the target of finishing the stint today. In milder conditions and with buzzards in the air and hares (real ones) on the field, the two courses were laid and toppers put in place. The transition to sandstone boulders on top of the wall gave a new look - perhaps more rugged and resilient: heavier work but a satisfying finish to the day. Departing at 3pm avoided the worst of some unexpected precipitation.

Barry S.
No. Wallers: 3

No Buzzards

No buzzard to welcome us today and just the 4 of us this week. Catriona and Graham working on the front of the wall whilst Barry took the beck side.  I continued tidying and fettling further up the wall.
Only 3 walkers today despite the weather being rather nice, not like the hoards out last week in the freezing cold.

Morning 

Lunchtime

End of the day

Richard H.

No. Wallers: 4

6 go walling

6 wallers squelched across the fields of Marken to continue working on the park pale. The work of Barry, Graham, Catriona, Val and Chris was only interrupted by lunch and a hoard of walkers trying to reach Markington in as unmuddied a state as possible.
Catriona and Garham managed to finish and top out their section, whilst Barry and Val and Chris out a few fine courses on the longer stint.  The day was ended after 3 large through stone were grunted and cursed into place.

At lunch time

End of the day

End of the day

Richard H.
No wallers: 6

Hare here Hare

A lovely bright clear, freezing day for Catriona, Graham, Rod and I to do a bit of walling. Wildlife was in evidence again. The Buzzards of Markenfield were spotted near the barn. Graham nearly managed to get a photo of one of them, and I managed to get a pretty poor shot through the car window, but upon opening the car door to get a better shot, the bird took flight.
A large hare was also to be seen jumping over the wall as we sat shivering for lunch.
Graham, Catriona and Rod concentrated on building the new section of wall, whilst I continued to cleared the collapsed section.

Richard H.
No. Wallers: 4

Here Hare Here?

A lovely bracing day saw Barry, Graham, Roderick doing a bit more walling, whilst I got on with clearing the next section ready for us to put some more stones down. We saw our first wildlife of the season - some massive hares which upon further inspection turned out to be a couple of deer

Richard H.
First Photo by Barry
No. Wallers: 4

A New Year

A cold but bright start to the day with a keen northerly airstream keeping visibility good and noses running.
The resident buzzard on the approach lane lifted off the hedge displaying very pale plumage in the low morning light, giving the appearance of being in moult.
Catriona opted to match the remnant wall with the new build, while Graham, Roderick & Barry continued the clearance of the next stint. Taking a line on the field side gave the measure for the footings and first courses of large cobbles, commendably good stone easing progress. Exertion with the heavy sandstone helped maintain a comfortable body temperature against the chilling gusts of unimpeded wind. Graham joined Catriona after lunch to successfully tie in the remnant wall, and sturdy foundations should allow a productive start next time.

Barry S
No. Waller : 4