The view of the pinfold about to hold 10 stray wallers
The team briefing
It is always best to stand back in amazement
At close of play
Updated by Tony
Friday 23 March 2012
Thursday 22 March 2012
Ten Go To Winksley
OK so it wasn't the easiest site to find but, in the end, ten of us made it to the Winksley pinfold which made for some tricky manoeuvres once we got started.
Richard set up his tripod and camera so we could look forward to 'Winksley - The (Slightly Jerky) Movie as he snapped the various stages of stripping out and reconstruction. The Grahams, Phillip and Roger tackled the smaller of the two gaps while the Ems, Paul, Richard, Tony and myself stripped out the larger stint and began reconstruction. (Note: interesting that the original wall had mainly stringers throughout and very few stones with their length built into the wall). (Note2: The inside of the pinfold was the 'pretty' side with larger, more uniform stone as opposed to more random coursing on the field side).
By t'end o' t'day the smaller section was complete and looking handsome and the main gap had risen four courses from its new foundations. One more week (two tops) should see it done.
Thanks everybody.
Richard set up his tripod and camera so we could look forward to 'Winksley - The (Slightly Jerky) Movie as he snapped the various stages of stripping out and reconstruction. The Grahams, Phillip and Roger tackled the smaller of the two gaps while the Ems, Paul, Richard, Tony and myself stripped out the larger stint and began reconstruction. (Note: interesting that the original wall had mainly stringers throughout and very few stones with their length built into the wall). (Note2: The inside of the pinfold was the 'pretty' side with larger, more uniform stone as opposed to more random coursing on the field side).
By t'end o' t'day the smaller section was complete and looking handsome and the main gap had risen four courses from its new foundations. One more week (two tops) should see it done.
Thanks everybody.
Wednesday 14 March 2012
So we'll go to Markenfield no more... the saga endeth here
This belated post (which will magically arrive in the correct order by web based jiggery pokery) is the final hurrah from Markenfield Hall, well for now anyway.
The final week was graced by the presence of Richard (younger), Phillip, Roger and me (Em 1). A small but valiant team dedicated to getting the copes on that wall come what may.
What didn't come was transportation for stone! We were expecting this so crafted a well laid plan of loading up the boot of my car with copes and driving them down the deeply rutted track to get as close to the wall as possible. Needless to say it wasn't close enough but it made a huge difference and Richard and I only lost about 3 inches in height rather than the foot we would have lost carting the stone the whole way from the barn. Well done to my poor Rav 4 she's not used to going off road for real and she did all the hard work (her mistress frankly bleating about getting stuck!).
Meanwhile back at the wall face Phillip and Roger steadily added our contributions to the last remaining uncapped section of wall. The final stones were in place shortly after lunch and we dedicated the rest of our time to chucking... er tidying the left over stone to the non visible side of the wall and filling the breach between the new wall and old wall.
After a hard days slog we sat back and admired our handiwork.
So pastures new have been plumbed at Winksley and our taster day is fast approaching, who knows where and when we shall meet again but we'll be back at Markenfield Hall again at a later date to tackle the ongoing challenge know only as the Park Pale.
Bye for now, Em
The final week was graced by the presence of Richard (younger), Phillip, Roger and me (Em 1). A small but valiant team dedicated to getting the copes on that wall come what may.
What didn't come was transportation for stone! We were expecting this so crafted a well laid plan of loading up the boot of my car with copes and driving them down the deeply rutted track to get as close to the wall as possible. Needless to say it wasn't close enough but it made a huge difference and Richard and I only lost about 3 inches in height rather than the foot we would have lost carting the stone the whole way from the barn. Well done to my poor Rav 4 she's not used to going off road for real and she did all the hard work (her mistress frankly bleating about getting stuck!).
Meanwhile back at the wall face Phillip and Roger steadily added our contributions to the last remaining uncapped section of wall. The final stones were in place shortly after lunch and we dedicated the rest of our time to chucking... er tidying the left over stone to the non visible side of the wall and filling the breach between the new wall and old wall.
After a hard days slog we sat back and admired our handiwork.
So pastures new have been plumbed at Winksley and our taster day is fast approaching, who knows where and when we shall meet again but we'll be back at Markenfield Hall again at a later date to tackle the ongoing challenge know only as the Park Pale.
Bye for now, Em
Tuesday 13 March 2012
So near and yet ...
Well, we thought it might be our last visit to Markenfield, for some time at least but, nay lad, there's work to be done yet.
Another grand turnout with Paul, Roger, Catriona, both Richards and both Grahams, M1 and Phillip all putting in a final supreme effort. Having scrambled around on Stone Mountain for a while, we managed to assemble a reasonable stack of cope-like rubbish and Bryon turned up (despite bruised ribs) with his venerable dump-truck to transport the spoils up to site. So far so good.
Some remedial work on the existing wall produced a better-looking end result but the stone wasn't in a terribly co-operative mood and we had neither the materials, patience or energy to finish the job. So it's another week at Markenfield.
Welcome light relief from our labours came in the form of M2 who brought guests, Boogie, shortbread and ... ta-daaa! ... FIZZ for a (slightly premature) topping out ceremony to be enjoyed by all and especially sundry. Sincere thanks to Em for that.
Photos still elude me but I'll fill in the gaps when I can (unless any dear reader wants to do so?).
Another grand turnout with Paul, Roger, Catriona, both Richards and both Grahams, M1 and Phillip all putting in a final supreme effort. Having scrambled around on Stone Mountain for a while, we managed to assemble a reasonable stack of cope-like rubbish and Bryon turned up (despite bruised ribs) with his venerable dump-truck to transport the spoils up to site. So far so good.
Some remedial work on the existing wall produced a better-looking end result but the stone wasn't in a terribly co-operative mood and we had neither the materials, patience or energy to finish the job. So it's another week at Markenfield.
Welcome light relief from our labours came in the form of M2 who brought guests, Boogie, shortbread and ... ta-daaa! ... FIZZ for a (slightly premature) topping out ceremony to be enjoyed by all and especially sundry. Sincere thanks to Em for that.
Photos still elude me but I'll fill in the gaps when I can (unless any dear reader wants to do so?).
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