Slightly Soggy Spring Wood Top

A group of 5 made their way to the top of Spring Wood. Catriona bumped her car to the top with Roderick as ballast. Paul hitched a ride on a farm vehicle and Graham and I (Richard H.) used up a bit of shoe leather after having met Tom Wheelwright at base camp. Tom agreed to ferry up some extra stone in his 4x4 cart after he had visited Pateley.
We made some good progress despite the rather soggy conditions on the field side of the wall, but we are again facing the possibility of a shortage of stone. 
Thankfully we were glad to receive two cart loads of stone from Tom in the afternoon.
We were passed throughout the day by the usual assortment of farm vehicles walkers and cyclists. Towards the end of the day Graham and I were very disappointed to see two fellows pushing their bicycles to the top but didn't feel as though we could comment, being as we were on the easier downward journey.

Here's the progress throughout the day in photographs

Richard.

No. Wallers - 5

Grid Ref: SE 14735 68149

Back above Wath

Back to Wath and trying to finish off the lower wall which offered a bit of shade but more flies. Roderick, Matthew, Paul and Graham nearly finished the section but were defeated by a lack of stone and energy so  a bit of stone searching next week! Beauty continued to be more of a pest than the flies.

Just before lunch

the ever present Beauty

end of day sloping side

 end of day field side

Graham.

No. Wallers -4

Grid Ref: SE 14735 68149

Farewell to Richard Plummer

Yesterday we said goodbye to Richard Plummer who is moving to Rutland.

Leaning on a gate post at Markenfield Hall

 Richard’s commitment to the group these last five years after the apprenticeship of creating toppers at North Stainley has been rock solid. 

 

Placing the last top stone at North Stainley - 7 Sep 2011

 

He brought an enthusiasm for walling, good humour, and a ready wit, and we shall miss his cheerful presence. Even the torment to his fingers with the occasional misuse of the hammer or slightly clumsy placing of a large stone would only temporarily dim his spirited demeanour.

  

Above Thrope Planatation, Lofthouse - August 2015

  

At the opening ceremony of the outdoor space at the Jennyruth Workshop - 19 Aug 2015

The completed wall at Jennyruth - Dec 2013

Thanks Richard for all your good work and camaraderie, and good luck with the Jurassic limestones in the land of Rut.

We wish him well in his new surroundings and hope it will not be too long before he is able to start walling again.

Best wishes from the NAWG team.

Fewston Church Car Park

Another early start at 8.30am to finish the car park wall.  The team today was Barry, Catriona, Elaine, Graham, Matthew, Paul, Richard P and Tony.

The team takes up their positions

 

Progress at the lunch break

 

Look at the treats we had at lunch time

whilst Tony catches up

 

Paul takes a rest

Now ready for the toppers on the middle section 

Only a few toppers needed to complete the corner section

and a few more toppers to find for the middle section

Graham finds the last topper

and Paul does the final inspection

                       

Job completed and surplus stone gathered up for later removal

  

 
Team leader was Barry

Tony