Toft Gate, Greenhow: 15-08-2017

After two wet Tuesdays on the run, James promised to be up early to test a new sun dance before our task this week. He's obviously got the knack as the day was mostly dry throughout with a good deal of sunshine. Hurray! Well done James!

The NCVs were working up near Toft Gate, Greenhow, with Peter Lambert, on another Nidderdale heritage footpath route. Word had it that while there were a few jobs involved, the main one was unavoidably muddy and wellies would be needed (preferably correctly fitting after Dave's experience last week!) So - what exactly went on? See for yourself.....

The NCVs skipped merrily down the footpath to the work site, 

 admiring the heather covered moorland in the distance.

Base camp was established at the bottom of the steep slope

 where there were plenty of dry rocks to sit on.

Everyone realised why wellies had been advised 

once they looked at the main job to be done - namely to shovel the 
mud out of a trench then fill it with rocks.

The spades were soon being deployed to 
advantage by 'The swampies'.

Melissa started the day squeaky clean 

but was filthy dirty in no time flat. (As usual!)

Some of those who were not shovelling started seeking 

out the rocks and pebbles that could be used to back fill.

It wasn't easy finding the smaller grade topping stones.
NCVs were swarming over the hillside like ants.

Alistair and James dug for victory in the muddy stream bed 

to find the much prized gravelly bits - 
or were they panning for gold?

Breaks were taken at base camp - but coffee time was 
interrupted by a call for all drivers to scale the hill 
all the way back up to the car park to move the 
cars out of the way of the cafe customers.
☹

Melissa played air piano to keep the shovellers entertained.

 In an attempt to create a flatter path, some of the 
bigger rocks were bashed with lump hammers.

Rock was rescued and laid out ready for the 

AONB's walling volunteers to use to repair the wall.

Another group got busy dismantling an old style.

The deceased style was laid to one side....

... and the wall beneath tidied up.

That done, a brand new kissing gate was created.
Graham cut the timbers very carefully indeed 
- especially when everyone was watching.

Side piece done, it was time for the back section.

 Finally - the gate was put in place.

Was the top of the gate level? Yep - spot on!

By 2pm the path was signed off as completed...

...and everyone started trying it out.

The tools then had to be stored in the back of  Peter's truck....

...before the long struggle back to the cars 
was undertaken for the second time.

Ros E.