Neat wall

This very neat construction was built by Karl Kaufmann. Although not truly dry stone work, Karl has used the same principles and produced what I consider to be magnificent wall. He is based in Ivoryton in USA. Interesting name for a town I wonder what the origin refers to. Buffalo Horn?
For more examples of his work go to http://www.kaufmannmasonry.com

Brick oven

This brick oven was built by John Shaw-Rimmington recently from stone removed from a previously dismantled oven. The second shot shows the fire clay bricks used to prevent rocks cracking with the heat.

For more information contact JSR at shaw-rimmington@sympatico.ca

Training Course in Canada

This course using mainly novices was the first run by the recently formed Dry Stone Guild of Canada under the direction of Dean McLellan. The course instructor was Andy Loudon from the UK. A very high standard was achieved.

Water Has it's Way

During the reign of Queen Victoria a road was built along the North side of Loch Muick(pronounced Mick)on her Deeside estate. A wall stretched for several miles beside the road. Some very neat drains were set in with channels across under the surface . You can see from this photo where the original stream flowed down to the drainage point. About ten years ago the water had found a new route from a spring down to the road. I was asked to divert the flow back to it's original 19th century position. I did that but within another five years the water had "decided" to revert. Finally the estate have given up the struggle and put a new drain across the road.Both the courses still show and emphasise that when dealing with H2O the liquid has a mind of its own. Sometimes as humans we learn these lessons very slowly.

Water Feature

This very attractive water feature was built by Canadian waller Eric Landman. I shall post more of Eric's fine work in this blog over the summer.

Castle Hill New Zealand

This photo of an Sacred site in New Zealand was taken by Peter Nickolls. I find it quite amazing.