It was a testament to the whole hearted enthusiasm, commitment and work ethic that makes the WRG experience what it is
Camp reports
Hereford & Gloucester Canal
did laugh as we wheel barrowed the poker and the plate compactor up those slopes. However the view from the top did compensate for the breathlessness, pink faces and muscle cramp! The laughter was as loud as the ace shuttering team when they re-constructed a third base formwork, practice makes perfect, with lovely views, and you get to burn off those calories from the excellent evening meals! Jeff a local volunteer assisted with the long wall as trowel slinger Hawkins, who graciously extended his stay, had departed the previous night for new territories . Many thanks to Bouncer a local canine that not only runs around in circles on a lovingly finished wet concrete slab, but signs its name and those of its two human minders, hope it realizes that cement can burn your skin. Thursday: brickwork was completed, Jodie & Millie with Rachael & Hattie competed to be the pointing sisters supporting Tom Coleman on the brickwork under the beady eye of Fast trowel Frank. Debbie & Lynn were trained on operating the roller in
Quotes from the camp: My first time on the H&G; 18 odd people and me! We are the pointer sisters for the wall We also learned to lay bricks n all Back to the compound in a wheelbarrow train Without us on camp it won t be the same Serial rakists and psychopaths, trifle and cheese. Wicked week, can t wait for the next I have enjoyed the weeks bricklaying and maybe one day I will have my own gofer just like Frank!! I enjoyed mixing with Kimm, dreaming about custard but most of all being Franks gofer Shuttering, shuttering and more bloody shuttering An awesome week with awe inspiring characters Loads of fun on big toys, digging and dumping up a bloody big hill Great week(s), will never be forgotten. It will be recalled forever in my now necessary therapy sessions!
between being in the raking team with Ju, Andrew, Tom, the deadly duo s, and the rest of the posse not having a go on the bricklaying. Late in the day the naughty boy was able to get the 360 swing shovel in to start profiling the slipway slope. Timber path edging to the car park end was cut and installed by the team. Friday: George, free from his shuttering duties consolidated the effort to set out the slipway profile. As time run out the type1 sub-base was placed and compacted leaving the site ready for blinding and pavement concrete on another weekend visit. Concrete was poured for the final two seat bases with picnic table/seat combo s being placed on earlier slab bases. It was a heartwarming moment for all the team to see a local resident to use the first seat installed on the high viewpoint, and payback for all the toiling up & down the hill. With a van & trailer going on the long trek to the east, that evening checking out back in the kit was entwined in the preparations for a stonking BBQ. Thanks to Julia, a local volunteer who collected Ed & Nigel from Gloucester station. With Ed departed with van & trailer an exhausted team settled down for a relaxing evening. Just one more day would have seen the pavement slab in, but over 200 meters of 1.8m wide footpath, 5 picnic table bases, slipway walls and profiled slipway sub-base constructed by the combined effort of Camps 13 & 16 was a high commendable achievement. Given the wet weather experienced in the first week, availability of bricklayers and the spread out site it was a testament to the whole hearted enthusiasm, commitment and work ethic that makes the WRG experience what it is. Many thanks to Fred, Lorraine, Sue (the cook) and Camp 13 folks, to Martin Danks my assistant leader, sisters Stella and Marion (our cooks), Charlie for the ace breakfasts and every one of Camp 16 volunteers, you were great. Hopefully see you on canal camp or site soon. The Party van will rock again next year! Martin Naughty Boy Thompson
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