Working Weekend March 2019 - Day two photos

Saturday 30th Rowley

Another report by James Bloomfield.

The main work area today was a short stretch of cutting from the larger Rowley embankment to our current boundary - the footpath that leads from the main road to lower Rowley cottage.

1. & 2. The main task today was to clear trees and vegetation from the cutting. Note the remains of a Platelayers' Hut to the right.

3. We quickly got to work clearing the undergrowth.

4. General Manager, Martyn Budd's dogs 'Fred' and 'Blue' watch on.

5. From high on the cutting sides the views were glorious with lovely warm spring weather too.

6. The excavator using the log grabber was indispensable for this work.

7. Looking towards Parracombe from the larger Rowley embankment. Last year's extensive excavations to uncover the culvert is seen on the right.

8. Excellent progress by mid-afternoon. The excavator is on top of the spoil where the cutting was infilled after closure to provide a footpath from the main road down to Lower Rowley Cottage. A small bridge will be installed here when the railway is reinstated.

9. The cutting sides now clear of vegetation. A footbridge will be installed to the right.

10. A stunning view looking towards Blackmoor. Beyond the embankment, work clearing vegetation begun in January was today completed. Even further away - nearer Blackmoor - a start was made on tomorrow's work site.

Photos and text by James Bloomfield