Dry stone walling up a mountain

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I can't now quite remember how we came to join a group of volunteers repairing dry stone walls in Snowdonia.  Erica and I were looking for something to do together.  We had walked the Offa's Dyke Path but she is not really a walker.  She had cycled from Land's End to John O' Groats but I am certainly not a cyclist.  So the idea of spending a week learning how to do something new emerged a way of spending some time together which has become harder to do now that we don't work together any more and live at different ends of the country.

We whizzed in from our visit to the Hebrides, threw laundry into the machine and I whizzed out the next day, leaving Ian back in charge of FIL.  What to expect?  I had no idea.

First impressions of the bunkhouse were good.  I am a bit old for communal sleeping and I wasn't looking forward to bunk beds in a dormitory so it was a relief to find comfortable single beds with a bit of privacy provided by wooden screening panels.  I unpacked my rucksack, made up my bed and felt pleased that I had ignored the suggestion to bring a sleeping bag and had brought a quilt.

The second surprise was the age of the participants.  There were only three of us over fifty, one in his forties I would guess and the vast majority thirtyish or younger.  So the big question as I went to bed that night:  had this fifty eight year old woman who has never been less fit bitten off more than she could chew?

Comments

  1. Cait O'Connor30 June 2013 at 14:51

    You are very brave, I look forward to hearing more.

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  2. Dobby30 June 2013 at 18:45

    Hope you took a good pair of gloves!

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  3. Em Parkinson30 June 2013 at 20:25

    My partner did a course about ten years ago and has produced some fantastic bits sand pieces around the garden. He is, however, a bit of a perfectionist and takes HOURS over choosing the right stone. Bear that in mind when considering your own projects! He really enjoys it and had a great time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Susan Heather30 June 2013 at 21:17

    Look forward to hearing all about it.

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  5. Wendy30 June 2013 at 23:21

    I've been looking forward to hearing about your dry stone walling. It makes me think I should try something completely different, too.

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  6. Frances1 July 2013 at 01:15

    Okay Elizabeth, I am hooked. Hoping that the next installment will soon be posted. Believe it or not, this almost 68-year-old person wishes she was there with you.

    xo

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  7. Rustic Pumpkin1 July 2013 at 09:53

    Oh! Brave New World! I might well need to pick your brains as I have many a stone tumbling down from my own stone hedge! Looking forward to reading about how you get on!

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  8. Anonymous1 July 2013 at 11:11

    I'm sure you'll rise magnificently to the challenge - pace yourself (and keep a packet of aspirin in your pocket) Good luck, sounds wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Janet/Plantaliscious1 July 2013 at 13:34

    Bunkhouse sounds positively civilised - hope you have a wonderful week. And if you want some practice afterwards I have a wall that needs rebuilding...

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  10. The Weaver of Grass1 July 2013 at 16:08

    Can't wait for chapter two!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Pondside2 July 2013 at 01:28

    Ooooh - you've got me! I look forward to the full report!

    ReplyDelete

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