Dry Stone Walling

[FamilyWiggs]

I'm about to start to tackle some of the miles of stone wall around here - mostly random softish limestone, Flintshire. I've been rained off today.

Can anyone recommend any good resources or online guides? I don't really have the time for a NT weekend.

 

[biffvernon]

I've been rained off today.

No, no, no. That's the wrong approach. The stone walls of Britain would never have been built if the concept of 'rained off' applied to walling.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

The stone wallers of Britian didn't have Mrs FamilyWiggs to contend with - she already had an exhaustive list of inside jobs to be completed instead!

 

[philmac1944]

If you can`t spare the time for a BTCV course, they do an excellent book on dry stone walling.
ISBN 0946752192.

 

[Penners]

I'm with Biff. The uplands of Britain would look very different if the dry-stone wallers had pushed off to the pub whenever they felt a drop of rain. Thankfully, they were made of sterner stuff.

And it's no good trying to palm the responsibility off on Mrs FW. I'm prepared to bet she would relish a horny-handed, taut-muscled stone-waller sweeping her off her feet.

But if she doesn't then it wasn't my idea.

 

[Penners]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dry-Stone-Walling-Practical-Handbook/dp/0946752192

You can look inside before you buy, to see whether it suits you

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Thanks Penners - for the tip and for making me smile.

I have today, undertaken work far harder than walling on the Yorkshire moors in horizontal sleet in February. Mrs FW has taken to the chaise-longue with one of her "heads", the only known remedy for which is a dry martini apparently. As a result I have done the post-prandial washing up. Suffice to say I have promised to buy the good lady a dishwasher to help her out with her chores. 8)

I hope she doesn't read this, or I'm brown bread

 

[Flyfisher]

If that stone walling book is as good as the fencing one I have from the same series then it'll be a good buy.

 

[skier-hughes]

Does fencing require the same sort of wrist action as fly fishing?

 

[CHRIS]

Does fencing require the same sort of wrist action as fly fishing?

We all know that Fly casting is in the forearm not the wrist!

 

[Schoolmarm]

That book is excellent. Sean Adcock, one of the writers,is a full time master craftsman waller of dswa.
You will get the time wasted doing a walling weekend repaid many times over by just having that instruction.

The first weekend I ever did, I completed a running meter on one side with my daughter doing the other side. That was several years ago.

Sean lives quite near to you and is the branch contact for the north wales branch.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Thanks guys - have purchased said book and 2 others from Messrs Amazon's Emporium of Fine Books.

Will let you know.

'Marm, thanks for the info/contact. I have literally (for once used correctly) miles of wall to restore. The ones closest to the house and bordering the drive and bridle path are the first to do - but in many other cases it will mean digging up the stones as many walls are almost completely destroyed and overgrown.

 

[Flyfisher]

Does fencing require the same sort of wrist action as fly fishing?

We all know that Fly casting is in the forearm not the wrist!

Now there's a digression from the topic! But since you asked, Chris is right that wrist movement is not encouraged. Indeed, there are straps you can buy (although a thick rubber band will do the job) that will hold the rod against your forearm, thus limiting wrist movement. But, in my limited experience, I'd say it's more of an issue for distance casting since the elbow joint can usually impart more power to the cast than the wrist alone. Ultimately, though, the fish don't care about your technique, so if you can place the fly in the right place without a huge splash then you'll catch fish.

And now back to the main programme . . .

 

[FamilyWiggs]

If you can`t spare the time for a BTCV course, they do an excellent book on dry stone walling.
ISBN 0946752192.

Arrived yesterday Phil - a truly excellent book. Thanks for the recommendation.

Cheers

Robin