Course at Nabs Wood 14th-15th June 2008

The second dry stone walling course of the year in Nabs Wood, Silkstone Common took place on 14^th and 15^th June.

The course comprised of Beginners and Improvers returning to hone their skills.

After the initial theory session in The Station Inn and copious amounts of tea and coffee served up by landlords Mark and Julie, we travelled the short distance to Nabs Wood.

David Compton from Westfield Equestrian Centre and myself had moved 10 tonnes of stone (kindly donated by Stuart Olney of T S Booker) to the walling site for the students to build with. I suppose it was a bit of a coincidence that Stuart was doing an Improvers Course using stone which he had donated!

We achieved another first this weekend! We had our first Australian on the course – Lisa, and a lovely lady she is too!

Barry soon got into his stride trying out all kinds of resting places until he found the most comfortable tree in the wood to perform his Yogi Bear impression!

Doug had travelled from Norfolk to take part in the Improvers Course staying at Wentworth Castle, and very nice it was to see him again.

We retired to the Station Inn after a hard days walling and we were joined by several students from previous courses. After some re-hydration we wended our way to the Chilli Lodge for a smashing meal, great company and a good laugh!

Several of the students were suffering from aches and pains as we started the second day. That didn’t stop them from getting stuck in with their walling

Barry even found time to teach Chris his method of performing horizontal walling!

Another great course with smashing people and even the rain held off until we were safely installed in the Station Inn for a course debrief!

Grant and Stuart with their cheek end

Doug with his cheek end

Beginners for L to R: Paul, Chris, Mark, Paul and Lisa

The whole course, back L to R Chris, Mark, Paul, Lisa, Stuart and Grant

Front L to R: Doug, Paul and Barry

Thanks to all the students for making it a great weekend. To Barry for his assistance, to Stuart and David for their stone donations and my wife for mowing the lawn while I was enjoying myself!