A report by Dave “Moose” Hearnden

As normal Maria and I with Helen (Dobbie) turned up on the Friday evening at the accommodation in the Moose mobile (aka Doris). Dragged ourselves to the pub (obviously) and met up with the rest (we had seen the mini bus overtake us on the M4). The pub was serving a decent beer, as closing time come around too soon it was back to the hall. A quick unload of vehicles and setting up the toaster (all important stuff)

Back in February (2000)? The last time we were at this site it had rained the week previously so the lock was under water and Pete Smith had to find us some other work which, if you read these reports, will have known about the scrub bash. This week-end we had no problems we could start on the Dig Deep Project, the Summit Lock.

Saturday after a lovely breakfast we arrived at the lock the work was to consist of brick laying and prepare shuttering for a delivery of cement via ready mix lorry in the next week or two. As normal brick-layers were complaining, the scaffolding had been erected so the first course of bricks to be laid was at ankle height; you just can’t get the standard of bricklayers these days, always moaning about some-thing.

The only thing they never moan about is the quality of mortar, Maria was in charge of the mixer and yours truly was in charge of the barrowing of said mix. Normally after getting started there are very few problems, and normally barrowing of mortar is so easy, but this was not the case on my second trip down the gangplank to the bricklayers yours truly ended up on his delicate bottom! The planks used to get down to where the layers were laying was so slippery and steep after quick discussions sand was used while Peter was sent out to get some battening.

End of Saturday was back at the hall for evening meal, which was Paprika Scrappy, prepared by Maria & I, after a quick washing up season. We all went down the pub, to sample the nice beer, this was all in the process of confirming the beer was up to the required standard, we had to try several pints just to confirm. But I think it passed.

Sunday morning, again back on site after an excellent breakfast, the routine was the same as before, Richard barrowing non-stop with bricks Maria and I dishing out the mortar. Tim graced us with his presence and he and Helen cracked on with the shuttering. This continued until 4:00ish then it was time to clean up and push of back to the hall then on to our homes.

It was agreed that the weekend had been very productive; Maria had mixed 20 mixes of mortar both days, which means I had barrowed 40 loads of mortar. The bricklayers Aileen, Rick, Matt, Andi, Martin, Dave and Bob had laid a vast quantity of bricks, so the level had risen quite significantly. Poor Richard who with Lesley had to keep the brickies armed with bricks.

It was nice Bob had turned up, he had previously dug once before but that was about 18 months ago.

Dave “Moose” Hearnden.