BLACKSHAW HEAD (Daisy Bank Clough)

 Daisy Bank Clough: 'twixt Lane Side Farm and Harleywood Gate .  .  . part two!

A continuation of last week's work for Mick and Frank H who turned out in poor conditions to construct a barrier that would block the movement of larger livestock (horses) but allow walkers to pass. The forecast was for heavy rain all day. We didn't quite get that (at least, not by Upper Calder Valley standards) but we were wet by the end of the session!

Here's the finished product:

Mick (aka the quality control inspector) checking
that the structure meets his standards!

* a 'middle' rail has been added to the left of the marker-post

*two rails have been added between the 'gap' post and the wall area to the right. The top rail extends beyond the ruined wall and is fixed to a straining post. The lower rail is anchored into the wall itself.

*The 'gap' post is offset from the marker post so the gap itself is wider than it appears to be.

*Walkers can pass through the gap. Horses cannot.

Although ground conditions were not favourable, all posts are as vertical as it was possible to get them, and the rails are horizontal, correctly spaced, parallel and match-up on either side of the gap. No wonder Mick is amazed!

Here's a parody for any CROWS who have recently been out on wet, windy and bleak stretches of moorland. Well done guys - glad you survived!

Slop-Wet Lea!

(Any resemblance to 'Sloop John B' - traditional West Indies folk song - is coincidental!)

Lost on the slop-wet lea,
Mick Chatham and me,

Round missing paths we did roam.

Wading all day

No sense of the way,

We feel so worn out,

We ought to go home!

But hoist up that twelve foot rail,

Feel how the shoulder aches

Ignore the feet being so sore;

No need to go home!

Don't think about home ...

This ain't the worst moor

We've ever been on!

More next week - work that is, not parodies!