Recently the Buttermere four volunteers, Phil, Jim David and Theo (the dog) were asked if we would come across to Borrowdale to help out Ranger Jack and fellow volunteer Robert with some dry stone walling. Seemed a fair offer which the four duly accepted. Off to Borrowdale Seathwaite we went. "Don`t worry said Jack", the work was not to far from the road. As it turns out, just across some muddy fields, a swollen Black Sike Beck which we had to ford and then through a wood. It sounded perfect. What we had all forgotten was the the Seathwaite Weather.
So the job was to repair a breach in the dry stone wall.
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| The Wall adjacent to the Allerdale Ramble - Jack and Phil at work |
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As you may guess from the photo`s the weather in "wet" Seathwaite was being unkind to us - more to the point the rain was heavy enough to get us wet but not keep down the large local population of midges and other wee biting mini beasts. Were we going to be beaten by then, no just eaten by them!
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| The repair was soon under way despite what the weather was throwing at us. |
Fortunately Phil had his big hat with him stopping the water dripping down his neck. We cracked on at a good pace only stopping for a quick fag. (well at least Jim did)
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| Comfort break for Jim - good for midge management | | | | |
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| Phil going great guns and with a dry neck! |
Robert, Phil and Jack step back to admire the work - nearly there.
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| Nearly there soaking wet, tired and wanting to escape. | | | |
A good day was had by all. Did the weather dampen our enthusiasm - not a bit, still smiling at the end of the day. What harm could a little mud and rain do to us?
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| Jack and Phil still smiling after a hard muddy days work - as you can see we really got stuck into the work with little fear for our own appearance! |
