It's a funny thing, this blogging lark. A friend remarked recently that it is quite addictive, and he's right. I'm currently in foreign climes. Initially I thought, oh well, I'll just leave it. Then I thought, actually, I could write about nature on my travels. We have now found a means of connecting to the internet, so I am able to update the blog. What is fascinating is the statistics that the software provides you with. How on earth have I ended up with readers in the US and Canada? Are they the same people each time, or completely different individuals? France, India, Croatia, Iran, Belarus, Russia, South Africa. What? How? The ones in the UK, Australia, Greece and Switzerland can all be explained.
Now where was I? Ah yes. On a footpath which crosses farmland in a valley over the hill from us. I was forewarned that this was a big job, so it was all hands on deck. There were two wardens and three volunteers, plus a very important person in the shape of the Inspector of Footpaths. He was in charge of operations for the day, which started with the usual briefing. It is nine years since complaints were first received from the local Footpaths Society about the fact that the bridge at the stream crossing was in a sad state of disrepair. That and a series of delicate negotiations with the farmer whose land it crosses are an indication of how thinly resources are stretched. An agreement was reached with the farmer whereby access to build the footbridge was permitted in exchange for rebuilding two stiles and installing a wicket gate. Technically the building and maintenance are his responsibility, whilst the Countryside Service merely provides the kit.
We split into two teams, one to do the stiles, the other to do work by the new bridge, which had recently been installed by a team working to the Footpaths Inspector. Our job consisted of making good the approaches to the bridge on either side. One approach was down a steep bank, and it was here that we were to construct a series of steps, using a variety of wooden planks and stakes which we had brought with us.
Our job was particularly awkward, as the steps were to be constructed around the roots of a large tree, which spread out in all directions. As a consequence, some cogitation took place regarding a possible route for the steps. Eventually a plan was hatched which would incorporate some of the tree roots as steps. We proceeded by firstly constructing a revetment parallel to the proposed steps. The planks were cut to size and a small trough cut to provide a flat base for them. The planks are held in place by hammering large stakes into the ground on either side. Then we dug out the soil to level off the ground, thereby making the tread of the step. The tree roots posed such an obstacle that the size and shape of the steps up the bank were largely determined by them. Finding a rootless piece of ground into which to drive a stake was an interesting challenge. My role in all of this was some sawing, some cutting of steps and the collection of some barrow loads of shingle from the stream. This was spread on the steps as a top layer. I didn't do any hammering as I am not much good at it.
During the whole exercise, my co-workers kept up a constant stream of mock Father Ted repartee. Both were able to re-produce an authentic sounding Irish brogue, which kept me laughing for most of the day. One of the joys of volunteering with these people is that they are such fun to be with. It is also great to be doing something that is worthwhile at the same time.
Whilst we were working, the other team headed up by the Footpaths Inspector worked on the wicket gate and the stiles. The man proclaimed himself very satisfied with our efforts at the end of the day, and took numerous photographs of the volunteers. There is no doubt that the Countryside Service derives a great benefit from our labours. My co-volunteer today is a short but strong man, with a cheery disposition and a great sense of fun. He worked incredibly hard all day, only occasionally stopping for a short rest. He is a great inspiration to me, as I sometimes feel like a bit of a spare part. They are all good at involving me, even though I lack some of the skills that are required in this job.
Now where was I? Ah yes. On a footpath which crosses farmland in a valley over the hill from us. I was forewarned that this was a big job, so it was all hands on deck. There were two wardens and three volunteers, plus a very important person in the shape of the Inspector of Footpaths. He was in charge of operations for the day, which started with the usual briefing. It is nine years since complaints were first received from the local Footpaths Society about the fact that the bridge at the stream crossing was in a sad state of disrepair. That and a series of delicate negotiations with the farmer whose land it crosses are an indication of how thinly resources are stretched. An agreement was reached with the farmer whereby access to build the footbridge was permitted in exchange for rebuilding two stiles and installing a wicket gate. Technically the building and maintenance are his responsibility, whilst the Countryside Service merely provides the kit.
Our job was particularly awkward, as the steps were to be constructed around the roots of a large tree, which spread out in all directions. As a consequence, some cogitation took place regarding a possible route for the steps. Eventually a plan was hatched which would incorporate some of the tree roots as steps. We proceeded by firstly constructing a revetment parallel to the proposed steps. The planks were cut to size and a small trough cut to provide a flat base for them. The planks are held in place by hammering large stakes into the ground on either side. Then we dug out the soil to level off the ground, thereby making the tread of the step. The tree roots posed such an obstacle that the size and shape of the steps up the bank were largely determined by them. Finding a rootless piece of ground into which to drive a stake was an interesting challenge. My role in all of this was some sawing, some cutting of steps and the collection of some barrow loads of shingle from the stream. This was spread on the steps as a top layer. I didn't do any hammering as I am not much good at it.
During the whole exercise, my co-workers kept up a constant stream of mock Father Ted repartee. Both were able to re-produce an authentic sounding Irish brogue, which kept me laughing for most of the day. One of the joys of volunteering with these people is that they are such fun to be with. It is also great to be doing something that is worthwhile at the same time.
Whilst we were working, the other team headed up by the Footpaths Inspector worked on the wicket gate and the stiles. The man proclaimed himself very satisfied with our efforts at the end of the day, and took numerous photographs of the volunteers. There is no doubt that the Countryside Service derives a great benefit from our labours. My co-volunteer today is a short but strong man, with a cheery disposition and a great sense of fun. He worked incredibly hard all day, only occasionally stopping for a short rest. He is a great inspiration to me, as I sometimes feel like a bit of a spare part. They are all good at involving me, even though I lack some of the skills that are required in this job.
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