| Well, hello again to the expanding group of "fans" who pester me for the latest work party page: yes, we've been at it again. Roy decided it was time we returned to Childrey Wharf, as it had been a bit neglected.
First job of the day - clear the car park!! We were knee deep in burdock (cries of "Find some dandelion!" from the senior members of the party), comfrey and burrs: highly unpleasant for those of us with above-the-knee shorts. For some reason this looks like a dull autumnal day, but it was actually very warm, especially after 20 minutes of slashing and raking. 
Here's Doug, struggling to get his wellies on over a damaged ankle. 
|
Two hours and one very long tea break later, we've been sent over the road and commanded to create a compound for the machinery to live in. "Hmm," says Jim, surveying the slasher at his feet, "wonder if this is up to the job?". In the background, Doug and Chinnor John are wondering if they are up to the job!
Despite a small sneaky suspicion that Roy has tasked us with this job in order to keep us out of mischief until lunchtime, we get on with pushing back the hedge. 
Oops! Jim's broken the slasher! 
Meanwhile Malcy and Doug indulge in some tug-of-war with the old brambles. 
Ah, here's Chinnor John, using a bowsaw in a ladylike manner. (Don't worry, he loves being insulted, really.) 
And after all that bowsawing, there's nothing like a quick lie-down in front of - er - John, that's not the best place to take a rest!! 
Meanwhile, Roy has just noticed Jim's broken slasher. Jim, unrepentant, says it's a handy folding implement now.... and in the background, what's Alistair taking photos of? 
Oh, it's Phil, bringing over the tractor and trailer which are going, with the dumper, into the new compound. 
But first we need to clear away all the prickly stuff that we've cleared out of the hedge. Hmm, quite a big pile, then. 
That's it, Graham, you throw yourself on top to flatten it down a bit. 
|
Right, the space has been cleared, let's get this compound made. Roy starts making the first hole for the corner post:
Alistair having problems getting the sledgehammer high enough - who forgot to bring the bonker, then?? 
"Let me show you how it's done," says Roy, heaving up the sledgehammer, while the rest of us laugh.
"Not fair, I got it halfway in!" says Alistair, threatening dire consequences to the laughing audience.
Roy gives in, and backs the trailer up for use as a handy stool, taking great care not to run over the post that's only halfway in.... 
Ah, much better! In goes the post. 
What's that Alistair? "Try to get a more dramatic shot"? OK, you have a go: and this is the result, whoo! I sense a calendar coming up! 
Meanwhile, unknown to himself, Jim is leaking hydraulic fluid (or possibly diesel, as it's red)...... 
....but this does not deter him from having a go at high level banging. 
We quickly work our way around the compound, and here is the last post going in. 
|
Meanwhile, outside the compound, Keith and Phil admire the tractor. "Aaah, I used to have one like this when I was young." "Mmmm, I learned to drive in one of these, you know."
Time to get stringing - out comes the barbed wire. Alistair - you've got that hammer the wrong way round you know..... so that's why Bob and Jim (whose leak has obviously weakened him, he doesn't normally lie around) are laughing in the background. 
Roy and Keith put in a straining post, the WilBerks way: 
The four-man team complete the straining: Phil's laughing, Alistair's hammering (with the hammer the correct way round, now), Vic's not sure that the post is upright, and Keith is holding on and trying not to laugh. 
Eat your heart out, Martin!! (see last work party report for alternative post straining method) (and thanks to Alistair for this lovely close-up!) 
Yes, Alistair, well done, the hammer is the correct way round. In the real world, the five-man team tackle the complicated job of straining the corner post in two directions at once. 
|
Just look at this - (sad music playing in the background) these are the sorts of nails that we have to work with. Really! We need more members, we need donations, we need money, we need decent nails!! Come on, there must be a company out there that could donate a big bag of galvanised nails, or fencing staples, or even just a tenner to buy some. Please! Any and all donations very gratefully received - e-mail me for information about how to help us - please! please!
|
Begging aside, the compound is done, and Roy reverses the tractor and trailer into it:
There, a perfect fit. 
Just time to complete daily maintenance: 
...and to put the gate across. Actually, I think Vic might have been right about that corner post being a bit off-centre, what do you think? 
|
| Well, that was mostly it for me, for the day: we went back over to the wharf and did some scrub-bashing all along the path from the road to the wharf, including cutting back the overhanging branches again, to keep it clear for the many walkers who are already enjoying our hard work. |