Preparations

The winter is fast approaching so we need to find some way of working through what may be horrible weather.I have tried various methods including the one shown here where the team has a movable tunnel.For me I found two problems.Firstly I normally build on my own and it is really tricky moving one of these tents by yourself and secondly I find that it is so cosy compared with outside that I am reluctant to venture out for rocks. The best solution I have found is a cop out but I love it.I head off to the south of France to have a working holiday with friends.

Seriously the type of structure shown used by Dean McLellan in the Canadian winter is a great help and I recommend its use when a job must be completed under adverse conditions.

Roadside Feature

Mike Ellis sent in this photo.A very neat way to deal with a section of wall destroyed by a lorry.More and more you can see this type of dry stone feature gracing the countyrside where the original function has gone but people value the qualities of dry stone combined with colourful plants to create an attractive garden feature.

For many more examples of work by Mike and his associates check out www.greenislandstonework.com

Mallorcan wall

Nick Aitken visited Mallorca recently for a dry stone conference.He took this photo there and here are his comments."This freestanding Mallorcan wall it is built the same way as the thousands of kilometres of retaining walls which provide safe platforms for olive, citrus and vine. Each stone touches every stone around it, if one fails natural arches are formed, they keep the wall strong."

My own thoughts are that some of the so called rules which we are taught in Scotland are broken here but I like it.A beautiful piece of work. Norman Haddow

See also Spanish style wall in archives sent by Bill Stone (August 2007)

Tornado damage

Seems amazing but this Cairn at Royal Ashton golf course had to be rebuilt after the original was destroyed by a freak tornado.Sent by John Shaw-Rimmington.(That is the photo not the tornado!)

Terracing in the garden

Here is a very good example of the way in which terracing can transform a garden .Dean McLellan has used the available rocks to best advantage during his work to create a very satisfying set of steps on what was a gentle slope .

For other examples of his work in North America contact hlmasonary@hsfx.ca

Balancing Rocks

Along with the serious side of dry stone work,many wallers enjoy the challenge of sitting rocks one on another.While this is good fun it seems that some of us have much more success than others.I wonder what exactly is required for this skill .Is it careful choice of the stones,artistic ability ,a steady hand or some innate characteristic?Whatever it is I wish I could do it better.

This photo was sent by Evan Oxland.