Charlestown: drystone walling
Another drystone walling task! One, this time, for Nigel and Frank H to puzzle over!
Start of the day - view from the down-slope side of the wall
Not so much a wall, more another potential entry for the Turner Prize!
The end section of this wall has been knocked over (Mmm!) and temporarily rebuilt in a mode that can only be described as 'freestyle'!
The aim is to dismantle the wall down to where it is 'sound' then rebuild so the corner is stable and safe.
The wall has been partly dismantled.
The lower courses have been re-aligned, re-pinned and tightly packed with heartings.
Nigel is now contemplating the usual dilemma associated with a rebuild of old boundary walls - not quite enough 'building' stone to select from and a shortage of heartings, 'flats' and compatible capstones.
After lunch - view from the up-slope side of the wall.
The wall is coursed, has two 'skins', is built as one-on-two, is stabilised by 'throughs' and is well-packed with heartings.
A massive block (lifting straps used) is a weighty anchor for the top left corner and capstones complete the security of the wall top.
Actually we had got this far just before lunch but were dissatisfied with the look of the capstones. Hence a post-lunch 'remove and replace' session -twice!
The wall is now secure, safe, stable and should easily withstand normal use (and even some abnormal use). Today's work will be funded by a donation from the landowner whose nearby parking area provided CROWS with that ideal start to the volunteering day . . . . a short walk to the worksite. Hooray!
