Tuesday 3 December 2013

Pond digging at Pyefield Farm: 03-12-2013

Today's venue was at Pyefield House Farm, Dacre. There were 18 volunteers plus Paul. The task was to create a pond in an already fenced off area, close to the River Nidd and two public footpaths. 

Attention everyone. We will dig here, here and here... 
(Editor's note - Do not be taken in by the solid, 
clean look of that pristine grassy area) 


Ros K gets her priorities right and starts by 
having a coffee - Hannah is not amused.

The weather was dry and not too cold, however it soon became evident that by the end of the day most of us would end up wet and very muddy!  Paul had warned us that some of the work would be on boggy ground but next week waders, rather than wellies, may be more appropriate!



 
Before we could start work we had to clamber over the 
fence and take all the tools and wheelbarrows with us.

Chris practises her high leg lifts.

Four of us set about constructing a stile for easier access to the site over the stock proof fence. This was finished by lunchtime and was well tested.

Stile complete the construction team set off for 
lunch. The clean steps are soon covered in mud.

 
Line up, line up for the muddiest wellies competition!

The area of the pond was staked out and then the digging began using picks and shovels and hands. Soil or mud was piled up to form a bank around the perimeter leaving a few gaps for water to flow in. 
Terry gets busy with the wheelbarrow.

Jan does the cutting; Ros E. does the shifting.
A pond starts to take shape.

 
Mud, mud, glorious mud.

Four watch whilst Jan works.

Three wise monkeys oversee the workers - 
Dean is looking suspiciously clean (obviously not working hard enough!)

Eventually clean Dean fell forwards gracefully into the bog 
and became caked in mud - much to everyone's amusement!

Some of us began to sink into the boggy area while others seemed to be digging themselves deeper into holes! 
Ros K lends a helping hand to welly-less Dave.

Paul stopped leaning on his pick axe long 
enough to sink into the mire.

Dave is determined to dig down to Australia - 
in spite of his earlier welly crisis.

Jan takes first watch to protect the man-made island.

However good progress was made and hopefully the pond will be completed next week. 

Chris


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