A warm and humid Sunday which started bright but then clouded over. It certainly meant many of us sweated even more than normal, not the day for Paul to forget the drinking water supply! The team consisted of Keith, Peter, Malcolm and driver Paul.
The job planned for today meant driving off-road for about a quarter of a mile up one of the steepest hills out of Milwich to a point close to the Red Lion Public House. Therefore we needed to do the job when it was very dry. There had been virtually no rain for three weeks so this seemed a good time for this overdue replacement job. Then, the day before, we have persistent rain followed by torrential rain and thunderstorms. However, after ploughing through the mud at the entrance to the first field, we made it to the top of the hill to be surrounded by inquisitive cows.
The route to the job
Overdue for replacement
The stile to be replaced was overgrown and in a very poor state with a step that was dangerously loose. It had been on our list for quite some time waiting for the right conditions. Once the nettles had been cleared it only took about five minutes to remove the fencing and the old stile. The ground up here at the top of the hill was very dry and stony and so digging was slow hot work. Once we had the uprights in place for the stile and dog gate and a rail to tie things together it was time for a coffee break (as we had no water!), at least Paul remembered the coffee.
Adjusting the dog gate
Hard work!
Coffee Break
Template 2
It was then back to digging four more holes for the steps. On our last session we introduced the use of a template for the stile holes which made the job easier, this time a second template had been produced so that we got the step holes in the right place. It seemed to work because there was less adjustment of the hole positions this time and the finished job looked much better.
We then replaced the fencing with new rails and a further post, installed the dog gate, put on the way markers and other signage and gathered up our tools before heading off back to the village for well-earned refreshment.
Thanks must go to Keith for taking the responsibility to contact the landowner to get access permission. Sorry you had to visit the Red Lion so often to get things in place!
The finished job – somewhat different!
Paul Malcolm and Peter
Keith and Peter
