May News
WORKING PARTY AT SEA LOCK - Report by Michael Elliott - 26th May 2020
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With the tide high, the task for the small working party was to clear the earth and loose stones off a section of the wharf wall as it curves round between the original barge section, and the later tub-boat section. This was followed by the rebuilding of the section, involving the mixing of much sloppy mortar so it did not set too quickly in the heat. 
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THE MYSTERY AT SEA LOCK by Adrian Wills - 30th May 2020
Have Martians, or do I mean ’Marshians’, landed at Sea Lock?
Have Martians, or do I mean ’Marshians’, landed at Sea Lock?
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Whilst the constant deposition of silt in the lock chamber and loading basin is a considerable problem, the surface left behind is a fine medium for temporarily recording the passage of ‘wee beasties’ across it. I regularly look for and find evidence of Otters as well as deer, foxes and a variety of waterfowl as having visited. Yesterday afternoon, following on-going work on the wharf wall, I noticed a very strange set of imprints leading from the lock gates straight up the middle of the basin towards where I had been working, which then suddenly disappeared. The creature which made these marks must have done so whilst I was working because they were not there when I first arrived on site that morning and the tide had just fallen. The prints were not full of water. |
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Enlarging the pictures I took (with my new camera) on my computer hasn’t solved the problem as to the identity of this animal although I suspect it was a Fox bounding across the basin floor. However it may have been an Otter! Otters though tend to leave signs of their tails dragging on soft surfaces whereas foxes hold their tails more horizontally keeping them clear of the surface. No signs of tails and the clearest print shows quite a narrow foot whereas Otters have a broad foot and the webbing between the toes is usually shown.
Foxes quite regularly hunt along the river banks and cross the canal at its mouth but why would one travel so far up the watercourse, where did this animal enter the basin if not from swimming in and where did it go?
The jury is out!
Foxes quite regularly hunt along the river banks and cross the canal at its mouth but why would one travel so far up the watercourse, where did this animal enter the basin if not from swimming in and where did it go?
The jury is out!
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SEA LOCK UPDATE FROM ADRIAN WILLS - 29th May 2020
I’m back to rebuilding wharf walls. I’ve recently had some welcomed help from Michael Elliott who spent time at Sea Lock working on a variety of tasks, including strimming and clearing invasive vegetation from the further along the section of wall which I am rebuilding.
I’m back to rebuilding wharf walls. I’ve recently had some welcomed help from Michael Elliott who spent time at Sea Lock working on a variety of tasks, including strimming and clearing invasive vegetation from the further along the section of wall which I am rebuilding.
The hot weather, whilst a very pleasant change to being cold, wet and miserable, is creating problems for me since the mortar that I am using is drying very rapidly and then it doesn’t set so well. I have to keep spraying it gently with water. Too much spraying and then the mortar washes out of the joints!
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Unfortunately I am now running out of good quality building stone. Selected facing stone costs around £120 a ton and that will build not much more than a square metre. I am getting quite good at chipping and cutting stone to create a better face on ‘ugly ‘ stones. I think I may have been a cave man in a previous life!
WORKING PARTY AT BEAM - REPORT BY TONY NICHOLLS - 27th May 2020
A small working party convened today to continue our assault on the vegetation in the vicinity of the roving bridge. The work was carried out in accordance with our recent risk assessment (required by the IWA before any work is resumed) and social distancing was observed at all times.
As a result of the recent good weather, the vegetation in the canal bed and along the towpath has grown vigorously.
A small working party convened today to continue our assault on the vegetation in the vicinity of the roving bridge. The work was carried out in accordance with our recent risk assessment (required by the IWA before any work is resumed) and social distancing was observed at all times.
As a result of the recent good weather, the vegetation in the canal bed and along the towpath has grown vigorously.
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Our first task was to clear the narrow section of the towpath adjacent to the roving bridge which had become overgrown. Well established weeds were removed from the edge of the path near the bridge revealing a length of fine coping stones. We also started to dig out many of the rushes and giant umbellifers which had sprouted in the bed of the canal, some of which had grown to a height of 5-6 feet. While on site, we also infilled some of the muddier sections of the towpath near the diversion with chippings to provide a better walking surface.
Inevitably, with a small work force, we were only able to make limited progress but we intend to continue working in this area over the next few weeks while RHS Rosemoor remains closed. Working arrangements may vary in the immediate future as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. Anyone wishing to volunteer should contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel. 01237- 475707) or Treasurer, Tony Barnes (tel. 01237-473801) for up-to-date information.
An unusual view of the Beam Aqueduct from the riverside.
WORKING PARTY AT FURZEBEAM - REPORT BY MICHAEL ELLIOTT - 20th May 2020
Wednesday last week saw a small working party at the Furzebeam section making repairs to the towpath diversion. On a very warm and pleasant day, the team worked to widen part of the path surface and to renew the wire mesh grip on the planks crossing the canal bed, as the centre portions had worn away. Attention then turned to the drainage, but not before a small dog had bathed up to its gunwales in the puddle at the top end of the (blocked) pipe under the path. Some time later, after some effort, the puddle suddenly drained away. We shall see next time if it’s blocked again. Final efforts were then made to add a shallow ditch next to the path, as water seeps out of the hillside above.
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WORKING PARTY AT SEA LOCK - REPORT BY MICHAEL ELLIOTT - 19th May 2020
Tuesday saw the (very small) working party at Sea Lock with the challenge to place a large cast coping stone (raised in the picture) at the causeway across the canal basin. The way was first cleared for the block's grand arrival at the causeway (video), before being moved by the same digger and more or less delicately lowered into place (photo).
Tuesday saw the (very small) working party at Sea Lock with the challenge to place a large cast coping stone (raised in the picture) at the causeway across the canal basin. The way was first cleared for the block's grand arrival at the causeway (video), before being moved by the same digger and more or less delicately lowered into place (photo).
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Eventually it was mortared in place and work moved to consolidating the road surface and rebuilding the nearby basin wall so as to be ready for the next coping stone. Next week maybe.
SEA LOCK UPDATE FROM ADRIAN WILLS - 17th May 2020
Working with vintage machinery is all very ‘romantic’ but inevitably old stuff lets you down at the most inconvenient times! Having finally managed to replace a significant number of grease nipples with new ones, I have completed a full lubrication of the Priestman Cub crawler crane.
The ancient dumper truck has been treated to a newly reconditioned fuel pump and a diesel injector as well as brand new fuel pipes because I couldn’t get it to start. That problem has now been solved.
Setting out to shift some rubble from one location to another, the clamshell grab-bucket attached to the Cub has decided that it will not fall open when required. The Cub is operated by a number of clutch and brake bands which become rusty and stick when not used regularly. These will all require re-setting but needless to say they are in the most awkward places to get at. More time will now be necessary delving into the bowels of this crane. Oh joy!
The ancient dumper truck has been treated to a newly reconditioned fuel pump and a diesel injector as well as brand new fuel pipes because I couldn’t get it to start. That problem has now been solved.
Setting out to shift some rubble from one location to another, the clamshell grab-bucket attached to the Cub has decided that it will not fall open when required. The Cub is operated by a number of clutch and brake bands which become rusty and stick when not used regularly. These will all require re-setting but needless to say they are in the most awkward places to get at. More time will now be necessary delving into the bowels of this crane. Oh joy!
Have had to acquire a new digital camera. My last one began having problems and subsequently died. Probably ‘bunged up’ with cement and lime dust.
Very pleased with the new one and not a bad picture for its very first although I say so myself! The duck was some 20 metres away when the photo was taken. She initially hatched 10 ducklings and a week later she has still managed to keep 8 safe. Well done her!
Sadly ducklings mortality rate is usually very high.
Very pleased with the new one and not a bad picture for its very first although I say so myself! The duck was some 20 metres away when the photo was taken. She initially hatched 10 ducklings and a week later she has still managed to keep 8 safe. Well done her!
Sadly ducklings mortality rate is usually very high.
SEA LOCK RESTORATION REPORT BY ADRIAN WILLS - 2nd May 2020
And yet more blocks!
Having run out of building sand I have reverted to casting ‘coping stones’.
These 2 bring the total number made to date up to 128.
Have now run out of cement again!
And yet more blocks!
Having run out of building sand I have reverted to casting ‘coping stones’.
These 2 bring the total number made to date up to 128.
Have now run out of cement again!
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