Blackshaw Head; Daisy Bank - steps up and a step-over.
An experienced team of Mick and Frank H, for whom the number 150 may be significant, carried out remedial work on the footpath (Blackshaw 044) that runs southeast from Daisy Bank towards Long Row. There were two tasks:
i) Constructing two extra steps at the top of the flight just after the footbridge that crosses Daisy Bank Clough (approximate position shown as a blue dot on the map).
ii) Adding two side-posts and a low cross-rail to the footbridge that crosses the drainage leat near Long Row (approximate position shown as a blue 'pin' on the map)
It was an ideal working day but both jobs, straightforward as they might have been, took more time than expected!
But why 150? Mmm! This is approximately the combined age of Mick and Frank . . . it is also roughly their combined weight in kg . . . and, as an anonymous wit suggested, possibly their combined IQ. The numerical distribution in each case is, however, a closely guarded secret!
Today's work has been funded by generous individual donations to CROWS. Many thanks.
The detail.
i) Steps up
The original footbridge and steps were installed by CROWS several years ago. Where the steps reach the edge of the moor erosion has taken place such that the flight needs to be extended. Light conditions made it difficult to get clear photographs but here are 'start' and 'finish' shots
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| Picture 1. Start of excavation for new steps |
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| Picture 2: Two new steps in place. |
The task was prolonged as numerous large stones had to be excavated and 0.4 m deep 'pilot' holes for the 'stobs' could only be created by battering the under-laying gritstone into submission with a heavy bar. It was an upper- body workout requiring about 150 hits per step!
ii) A step-over
There were concerns that cattle straying out of area might attempt to cross the footbridge that goes over a drainage leat near Long Row. The footbridge (originally constructed by CROWS) just needed two side-posts to be installed and fitted with cross-rails at a height sufficient to deter livestock . . . but low enough to allow pedestrian access.
Timber and tools were carried across the boggy moorland track. Unfortunately, no picture of Mick's mud-filled boots was taken and we also neglected to take a 'before' shot of the task. However, the finished construction work looked like this:
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| Picture 1: The first customer! Every moor should have a mysterious large dog! The braced side-posts have been fitted and firmly screw-bolted to the bridge stringers. The top cross-rail is high enough to deter cattle. |
It was a day requiring high energy levels, much digging, careful measurement and accurate drilling - all made easier by fine weather, an absence of wind and the peaceful panorama. More next week once we have managed to straighten-up!
