Saturday 29th August

A team of 8 were present and correct (well almost) at M&FM for the 8am start. The gang split into two as usual, with Martin W, Eddie, Keith H, and Pete heading off to Rookwood Lane to continue fishplate oiling towards Ropley, leaving Brian and Martin B to undertake the line inspection to Alton, and Iain and Adrian C to go forth to Alresford. The former were joined at Alton by Neil and Paul, and the latter at Alresford by Jamie.

The reunion of the linewalkers at M&FM was followed by Iain and Brian leaving to join the oiling team, and Neil, Paul, Jamie, and Adrian going down to The Grosvenor hut site to commence the chimney blockwork and brickwork. They managed to lay the single course of blockwork and three courses of bricks before rain stopped play, also reducing the surrounding ground down to floor level to half of the internal area of the hut.

A quick return to base to avoid the heavy precipitation was closely followed by the arrival of the oiling gang, who had managed to lubricate around 3/4 mile of fishplates, finishing 10 joints shy of Bighton Lane bridge. A great effort all round. 

Just as the previous weekend, there was an aviation highlight of the day for both parties, with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire / Typhoon display team passing overhead during the course of the afternoon while transiting between displays. The oiling team were even lucky enough to see the Vulcan again!