Saturday 21st March

In bright and mild conditions, a large gang of 10 gathered at M&FM for the day's activities. The successful working strategy from the previous few weekends was adopted, with Eddie and Martin W joined by Graham and Ian R going straight down to Soak cutting, where they set about the task of completing the last 3 lengths of rail pad replacement work. This left Ian J and Martin B to undertake the line inspection to Alresford, Pete and Keith H to head off on the inspection to Alton, and John and Adrian to stay at M&FM to carry out preparation work for the start of the roof construction on the Chawton Heights hut in the afternoon. This comprised of grinding points on the ends of 1' pieces of rebar (free issue material of course, kindly sourced and cut to length by Martin W) to create spikes for pinning down the roof sleepers to the walls below, and they also took the opportunity to assemble the door frame for installation next month.

The weather changed to less favourable overcast and sometimes chilly conditions in the afternoon, but fortunately the rain stayed away. The padding team continued in the pursuit of their goal to complete the task by the end of the day with just one and a quarter lengths left to go, and a hut team of the returning line walkers, John, Adrian, and later Keith B, set about the erection of the roof sleepers. Both tasks were duly completed, despite the padding team encountering (typically) a large number of stubborn RNB nuts and bolts whilst on the home stretch, and everyone left feeling a great sense of achievement.

John and Martin wait to lift the next roof sleeper into place

Keith drives in a spike to secure the sleeper to the timber
wall below

All of the sleepers in place, ready for a layer of
plywood sheathing and felt