by Ron Ireland | May 12, 2019
Further good progress was made on the bridge construction this week. Jimmy and Gus made up the template and drilled the sleepers, which pleasingly slid over the dowels without snagging. The rest of the team gathered loads of stones and filled the gap under the hut (will this one day be the ACP bothy?), and also backfilled behind the abutments. So all ready for the bridging part of it, with the telegraph poles ordered, the angle brackets ready, and the decking purchased and due to be cut to size this weekend. Continuing the recent international encounters theme, volunteers had a friendly chat with a Dutch couple who are thoroughly enjoying walking the ACP before going on to Bute. Perhaps we should all start brushing up on our foreign language...
by Ron Ireland | May 3, 2019
More good work on the bridge abutments today with all dowell bars set in place ready to receive the sleeper bearings. Much mixing of the fast-setting concrete exercised the enthusiastic work party. North abutment South Abutment The day was brightened by the appearance of some rare visitors : a couple of Brent geese on their way home to Greenland and two walkers – Ken Andreson and his partner, from Connecticut in the US. The latter pair were on a week’s holiday to walk the length of the ACP and were heading northwards for an overnight stay at a Turnberry B&B. No such luxury for the geese though. Jimmy and Ken have spotted the geese! Also today, our very own trailer was initiated into the weekly work party routine. A great addition to our equipment and one that makes the transporting of tools and materials much easier. Great...
by Ron Ireland | Apr 24, 2019
Last week saw further good progress while the sun continued to shine. Amphibious Barrow Messing about on the River The Growing...
by Ron Ireland | Apr 11, 2019
Heavy work started Last week we made a good start to our bridge at Balkenna and have dug out the base for the north abutment, getting the first base level fixed. This will let us speed on with laying the concrete slab flat bed for our byre-slats abutments this week. Opportunity has been taken to finish of the cleaning of the Dowhill beach which it was not possible to complete on the day of the official beach clean. Plenty willing pickers still keen to do a good...
by Ron Ireland | Apr 11, 2019
We have been advised by DuPont that the repairs to the recently storm-damaged bridge and pipes at the Milton burn are now complete. When inspected, there was a strong flow of water running through the culverts, and the ground on the bridge has been infilled. The warning signage on the two stiles on either side have now been removed and it is safe for walkers to use the bridge once...
by Ron Ireland | Mar 14, 2019
Jimmy Begg and Harry Peters went down to Turnberry yesterday and were very happy to see that the recently completed reinforcement of the step revetment has resisted twenty-four hours of Storm Gareth (and the sting in his tail!). This despite a short section of dune being washed away immediately to the south of our handiwork. The main purpose of the trip was to see at first hand the high-water levels at Balkenna Hut where we will soon be building a bridge over the burn which is frequently unfordable. Watch this...
