Toft Gate: 04-05-2021

CAUTION ROADWORKS!

This week the NCVs took themselves off up to Toft Gate lime kiln at Greenhow. They were refurbishing the footpath that allows visitors to view the lime kiln at close quarters. It was almost 3 years to the day since they finished the same job last time it was done. After 3 years you can imagine that a little bit of TLC was needed. This is how we left it at the end of our last visit (note the blue sky and shorts):

And this was how we found it at the start of this week's session (no blue sky or shorts - just strong wind, heavy cloud and a VERY cold temperature!):

Hmmmm. Some work to do to restore it to its former glory then. OK thought the NCVs. Let's get busy with the spades, mattocks and wheelbarrows again.

Before long Tom and Ken were singing 

a highly appropriate chain gang song.

No one can swing a mattock like our Paul.

Anyone in need of a good pair of bookends?

As the grass was lifted, so it was carted off to be

 dumped in a nearby hollow. This was not an easy task as

(a) the barrow had to be pushed uphill and 

(b) the sides of the hollow were steep so the barrow 

could easily run away from its pusher!

When it was noticed that Dave A. had been in this position 

for a good 5 mins without moving it was decided

 a coffee break was due. 

Manacles were unlocked to allow the chain 

gang to reach their rucksacks.

When these two were complimented on their social distancing 

the reasons given were copious amounts of sheep poo, 

mole hills and nettles.

Once a good section of path had been cleared of grass 

a number of NCVs turned their attention to transporting

 gravel from the heap in the car park to the path.

Thanks to the previous night's rain each kilo of gravel weighed at least two.

Sometimes the barrows arrived singly.

More often they arrived in twos or threes.

This kept the rakers and tampers on their toes.

The loneliness of the long distance tamper.

By close of play about half the path was gravelled 

and two thirds of the remaining half uncovered 

and ready for finishing off.

The weather had at least stayed dry. Phew! 

(2 hours later it was, apparently, snowing on Greenhow!!!.)

Although, it wasn't quite close of play.

Back in the car park these large holes had to be 

filled with the remaining gravel.

Groans were heard....

There was a mad frenzy of gravel shifting 

with gravel being flung in all directions..

Within half an hour the holes were filled and 

the NCVs could take themselves off home, very tired 

but secure in the knowledge that a good job had been done.

In spite of being worn out the two bag ladies couldn't 

resist a quick once over of the car park with their litter picker.

They had no idea what this thing was!!