Community
at
Henley
Henley and Goring Ramblers Group
We are a lively and sociable group who provide a variety of walks of different lengths on different days of the week. Our walks are published in the Ramblers’ Association booklet (published twice a year), on the Oxfordshire Ramblers’ web site www.ramblers-oxon.org.uk and weekly in the Henley Standard. We also produce newsletters, which tell you more about our activities, social programme and trips.
Link to Winter Programme 2011-12>>
Walks are graded and for purposes of clarification these are as follows:
Walks are graded as follows:
| S (strenuous) | 3.5.miles an hour |
| M (moderate) | 2.5. miles an hour |
| L (leisurely) | 2 miles an hour |
| E (easy) | 1.5 miles an hour |
Non-members are welcome to join us on at least three walks. We would then ask you to consider joining the Ramblers. Contact our membership secretary. Jill Heaven on 0118 9475300 or visit the Ramblers website www.ramblers.org.uk to join on-line. Oxford area has its own website with pages for Henley and Goring Group. Visit www.ramblers-oxon.org.uk to find out more about the group and see our picture gallery.
We are fortunate to be able to walk in a beautiful part of the country. If you would like to join us on a walk please come wearing suitable footwear for the conditions. The walk leader, whose name and phone number is in the programme, will be happy to give you any extra information or advice that you may need.
Trips and Events 2011/12
See full programme for more details
| November 19: | AGM AND Social evening at the Christchurch Centre, Reading Road, Henley |
| December 9: | Walk Leaders and regular helpers festive Supper at the Four Horseshoes, Checkenden |
| December 22: | Carol Service, walk and lunch at the Bird in Hand, Sonning Common |
| December 27: | Christmas Cake Walk, from Woodcote |
| January 21: | Area AGM |
| January 27: | Chantry House lecture: Curiosities in the Chilterns, at the Chantry House, Henley. |
| February 11: | London river walk from Kew to Hammersmith. |
| May 6-9 | Exploring the Gower Peninsular |
| June 15-19: | Long weekend on Exmoor |
| September 6-13: | A week away in the Italian Dolomites. |
| Weekends in October, December, January, February and March: Winter walking along the Greensands Way | |
Book your place for social events with Tilley Smith cheerful.tilley@googlemail .com For more information and to book a place on walks and trips, contact Peter Stone Petercstone99@aol.com
Arts Group
Several of our members enjoy cultural events in the company of friends. Members can ask that their names be put on an e-mail list. Details of trips to a range of cultural events are circulated to those on the list. Anyone in the group can organise or suggest an event. Some of the things we’ve done this year include: trips to the theatre, ballet, opera, symphony and choral concerts, chamber music, art exhibitions, architectural interest walks in London, regular trips to the cinema. We can take advantage of group reductions on tickets and it’s fun to have people to discuss the show with.
Recent Events and Trips 2011
Walking the Wessex Way
Walking the Wessex Ridgeway
Starting at Avebury and finishing at Lyme Regis, the Wessex Way is a wonderful walk packed with historical interest and spectacular scenery. Be warned, however, the way marking is decidedly patchy. Make sure you have good maps, a guide book and, preferably, someone with a GPS system or you might find yourself lost in the middle of a ploughed field!
A group of Henley & Goring Ramblers, having completed the Cotswold Way over the winter months last year, embarked on the 136 miles long Wessex Way starting with a day trip to the Marlborough White Horse, then weekends from November to April. The first weekend began in leisurely fashion wandering round the lines of stones at Avebury before a 12 miles walk and an overnight stay in Devises. The Sunday walk took us to West Lavington. Subsequent weekends involved walks varying in length from 10 to 14 miles with overnight stays in Westbury, Shaftesbury, Antsy and Lyme Regis.
The route goes along ancient paths via the edge of Salisbury Plain and Cranbourne Chase to the Dorset coast. Devised by local Ramblers and opened in 1994, it is waymarked on maps, but waymarking on the ground is variable, in places excellent, in others nonexistent! The route is very varied and full of historical interest: iron age forts and long barrows, Old Wardour Castle dating in parts from the 14th century, interesting villages, romantic old pubs and manor houses, the bleak landscape of Salisbury Plain (with very dramatic big skies when we were there - bright sun and black thundery clouds), ridge walking with great views, fields and woods plus the not so welcome occasional muddy ploughed field. Much of the time walkers are in very rural surroundings making us feel almost as if we had gone back in time to a pre industrial England.
We were a group of 23 walkers, though not everyone managed to do every stage. This made organisation a big job, so it was shared among the group. A small core group worked out the route and decided on the different stages and responsibility for organising accommodation, meals and transport was shared among the rest of the group. This is certainly a long distance walk that we can recommend. It compares well with the Cotswold Way, and we thought that was brilliant!
Turkey October 2011.
Mount Olympos, Turkey
I have just returned from a walking holiday in Turkey with Henley and Goring Ramblers, and I have to say it is one of the most memorable, not to say the most relaxing holidays I have ever spent.
It all began in early October when 18 intrepid Ramblers left London Gatwick bound for Antalya in southern Turkey, not knowing quite what a week of sheer delight lay ahead! This was to comprise a week of sunshine, walking and sea bathing, all from the delightful base of the Ceneviz Hotel situated in the equally delightful and unspoilt village of Adrasson.
The eternal flames of the Chimaera, Turkey
We experienced four days of wonderful walks, following the ancient Lycean Way in each direction, affording us spectacular views of the exceptionally beautiful coastline of southern Turkey which increased in magnificence as we climbed up the rocky mountain tracks. We also visited the fascinating historical ruins of the ancient Roman town of Olympus, and the amazing natural phenomenon of the flames of Chimaera.
The middle of the week found us on a locally chartered boat with opportunities to swim in the crystal blue waters of several small secluded coves which punctuate this magnificent coastline. A delicious lunch of freshly caught fish was served on board, only confirming the ladies’ belief that they had all become Shirley Valentine for the day!
As well as experiencing the satisfaction of completing quite challenging walks we had time to relax on the beach, swim in an invitingly warm sea and sample the excellent cuisine of our family run hotel. All our meals were enjoyed outside, either in the early morning sunshine or under the starry evening sky.
Lastly, a huge thank you to Bruce Gomersall and Marilyn Payne of Henley and Goring Ramblers for organising such a wonderful holiday and allowing us to share for a week their personal corner of Paradise.
Margie Barras.
Reports on our Activities
Montgomery Easter 2011
Dry and sunny? Wales at Easter? Can’t be true, but it was for Henley &Goring Group’s trip to Montgomery, where Powys meets Shropshire and Offa’s Dyke reminds us of a turbulent past. There was nothing turbulent about the present in this quiet but lovely part of the country. The twenty people who made the trip were welcomed by the friendly hosts at the 17th century Dragon Inn, a coaching in the centre of the village sized town. The imposing castle ruins looming over the town attest to its former importance but quiet rural charm is a more apt description these days. The surrounding countryside with rolling hills and some sharp inclines is lovely and the group took full advantage of the good weather with walks on all four days of the trip.
On the first and last days we all walked together but on the middle days there was a choice of a long walk, a short walk and on one day a shorter walk as the short walk the previous day was described by those doing it as a long short walk!
The first walk took us to up the castle and nearby monument giving us excellent orientation views of the rolling landscape. A choice of walks was offered on our first full day. Both went over the border into Shropshire and took in sections of the Shropshire Way. The longer walk went along the Stiperstones Ridge with its superb views as we walked or enjoyed a lunchtime picnic. The shorter walk also enjoyed great views and included a lunch time pub stop at a charming pub at Norbury. A spectacular thunderstorm with hailstones made a dramatic end to the day but we were near to the cars at this point and the brief storm cleared the haze from the air. The next day’s walks, taking in sections of Offa’s Dyke, were more challenging and some of the inclines were decidedly steep! The shorter walk covered much of the same country as the long walk, just starting closer to Montgomery. This led to a third walk being offered – the short, short walk – taken up gratefully by those of the group who were still recovering from the previous day’s ‘short’ walk!
The last day brought a complete contrast as the full group walked a delightful section of the Montgomery Canal from Berriew to Powis Castle. The weather was glorious again and most people enjoyed a visit to the castle, a leisurely lunch and an ice cream before driving home
We could have had a better Easter weekend away! Many thanks to the organisers!
AGM 2010 Report
Our AGMs have been well supported for a number of years, possibly because a good supper is provided afterwards! The 2010 meeting was no exception with around 60 members attending.
The Chair, Susan Maguire, thanked the committee and the members for their contributions to the Group’s ongoing success. She gave a special thank you to two committee members who were standing down after at least 5 years: Alan Reeves and John Case. Chris Corti was unanimously approved as new Treasurer.
The committee for 2010/11 is:-
| Chair: | Susan Maguire |
| Secretary: | Eileen Burroughs |
| Vice Chair: | Peter Stone |
| Treasurer: | Chris Corti |
| Footpaths: | Robin Hanson |
| Publicity: | Joan Clark |
| Membership: | Gillian Heaven |
| Walks programme: | Tilley Smith |
| Social: | Peter Stone |
| Trips: | Peter Stone and Susan Maguire |
A Powerpoint presentation, devised by Susan Maguire, showed highlights of the Group’s activities and trips in 2010, and those planned for 2011. The finale of the evening was a delicious supper organised by Tilley Smith with many dishes supplied by the members.
Carols in the Snow
Strangely enough ‘Good King Wenceslas’ was not on the carol sheet when Henley & Goring Ramblers went to Fingest Church for the annual carol service walk and lunch. However, the ‘snow lay all about, deep and crisp and even’! Last year the service had to be cancelled as the vicar couldn’t get to the church and the pub had not had a food delivery because of the snow. This year the snow came a little earlier so despite quite a few members not being able to make it, the roads were mostly clear and we went ahead. We were glad we did! The historic church, one of only two with a double tower in the country, dates from Norman times and is well worth a visit in its own right. Beautifully decorated with natural foliage it was lovely setting for the traditional Christmas service of nine carols and readings.
After the service two walks with a similar route but one longer and at a faster pace than the other, followed. The area around Fingest, Skirmett and Turville is one of the loveliest in the Chilterns and it was looking magical in the snow. Having worked up a good appetite the walkers returned to the village pub, the Chequers, for a buffet lunch. The warm welcome and the log fires encouraged lingering into the dusk of the late afternoon. All agreed we had had a great day out – spiritual uplift, healthy exercise and a good meal. What more could you ask for to put you in the mood for the festive season?
December 2010
Autumn in Tuscany
The wonderfully welcoming Hotel Giardini in San Marcello, north west of Florence was H & G’s base for a week of walking, sightseeing and Italian cookery lessons in October 2010. Ramblers Worldwide Holidays offer this trip as an exclusive group holiday if the numbers are right. They were for us and we enjoyed a great week in this lovely part of Italy.
The walking was varied both in terms of terrain and difficulty. On the easier walks we wandered through colourful woodlands over a carpet of chestnuts and acorns to villages with fascinating buildings and histories. The villages, usually on top of hills, looked as if they had been placed where they were by a landscape designer in order to achieve maximum picturesque effect! We crossed a gorge on the longest foot suspension bridge in the world: exhilarating or quite an ordeal depending on your susceptibility to vertigo! We climbed the delightfully named Libro Aperto (open book) because of its shape, which rises to just under 2000 metres and has spectacular views across the Tuscan hills. We took a long cable car ride with the intention of walking a high ridge. Unfortunately the clouds were down, the wind was cold and we might as well have been on a ridge in the Chilterns for all we could see, so we acknowledged that Italy can be like England in autumn, and turned round for a welcome hot cuppa in the cafe at the cable car station.
One day was spent sightseeing in Florence –a tantalising experience as there was too much to see and marvel at even for those who had visited the city before. An enjoyable aspect of this holiday was the food and drink. The bravery, patience and good humour of our hostess as she let 22 people into her kitchen to make classic Italian dishes like ravioli, minestrone, pesto Genovese, pizza, and tiramisu was amazing. Even more amazing was that the food we made was served for dinner and actually tasted good! Two evening entertainments stood out: the wine tasting, with fine local wines that were new to many of us and the final night of singing and dancing led by our host Rudi. Rudi, who has a passing resemblance to Tom Jones, entertained us with song and we danced as he couldn’t persuade any of us to try the karaoke! We may be shy about singing but I think we surprised the locals with the variety of our dancing – including a variation on an eightsome reel to the music of Abba!
Henley & Goring tackle the Yorkshire Big 3
Just before our departure the Met office predicted heavy rain and strong winds but fortunately over 3 days the intrepid group conquered the 3 peaks of Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent missing the bad weather nearly all the way.
The group of 10 met up at Ingleton to walk the Waterfalls Trail, through ancient oak woodland and magnificent Dales scenery; then on to our base, The Golden Lion Hotel, in the market town of Settle. The hotel was a delightfully traditional 17th century coaching inn where the staff where very obliging and welcoming. On arrival there was some disarray as the tenant manager had gone bankrupt the previous week. They had us booked for the right number of rooms but not the right combination of beds! However this was admirably sorted out and we enjoyed a comfortable, great value stay.
Settle is the starting point for the Settle to Carlisle Railway and we travelled on this excellent railway, over the Ribblehead viaduct of 24 arches, to Dent Station, then joined the River Dee and followed the Dales Way to the summit of Whernside, returning to Ribblehead station and the pub just before the rain started.
Our walk up Ingleborough started with a bus ride to Clapham, idyllic village shame about the name! From there we followed Clapham Beck which passed through spectacular limestone country going through Trow Gill and passing Gaping Gill which is one of the largest caverns in the Dales. On descent the route took us across an unusual section of limestone pavement where we were tempted to stop and soak up the sunshine like lounging lizards.
For the third peak, Pen-y-Ghent, it was back on the train, and the walk started and ended in the village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Our route included a few steep scrambles, a quiet ridge and valley walk and we passed the magnificent chasm of Hull Pot and Hunt Pot. Mission accomplished! With thanks to Colin Sutton, Susan Maguire and Brain Maunder, the organizers.
Anna and Tim Dowling
South Downs July 2010
Twenty four Ramblers enjoyed four glorious days of spectacular walking on the South Downs trip in July. We met at the Devil’s Dyke which was a good preparation for the hills to come around Alfriston and Kingston. Walkers had a choice of shorter or longer walks each day and the final day brought a glorious walks over the Seven Sisters. The weather was perfect with clear blue skies, sunshine and a breeze to stop us getting too hot. We walked through carpets of flowers, hidden valleys and nature reserves with sea views an ever present delight. We stayed in Lewes at the idiosyncratic but comfortable White Hart and enjoyed an open air production of ‘Twelfth Night’. Painstaking preparation by the leaders, Susan and Ray Maguire meant that everything from walks to transport went smoothlyCelebrating Ramblers’ 75th Birthday
Ramblers from all over Oxfordshire converged on Shirburn Hill on June 26th 2010. We met for a picnic lunch with wine and champagne to celebrate Ramblers’ 75th birthday and the granting of open access to that hillside as a result of the efforts of many campaigners. The Botonist who helped prove the case for access was there and explained how it had all happened. The weather was glorious and the views over the Oxfordshire plain made this a wonderful spot to celebrate
Cardigan June 2010
Image: Walking the coastal path
Two spectacular cliff walks along the Pembroke and Ceridigion coastal paths and an exploration of the Teifi estuary were the highlights of a recent trip by 20 Henley & Goring Ramblers to historic Cardigan. The Ceridigion coastal path was only opened in 2008. We started with a tour of the town learning something of its colourful history from the battles between the Normans and the Welsh to the bustling 19th century port that was the second busiest in Wales. Now Cardigan is a small pretty market town with a castle, a nature reserve and some great walking potential. Situated at the junction of the Pembroke and Ceridigion coastal paths, Cardigan offers a choice of estuary, river and cliff walks. We enjoyed all.
We explored the Teifi estuary and wildlife reserve and the gorge like section leading to Cilgerran where we visited the romantic ruins of Cilgerran castle before returning to Cardigan via the paths and boardwalks across the estuary marshes of the wildlife reserve. The cliff walks provided dramatic scenery and the chance to spot seals and dolphins as well as a range of birds. We did not entirely escape the rain, although one heavy shower kindly confined itself to the time we were having lunch in the pub, another did not and a bedraggled group were very glad to see a cafe that was open after a wet cliff top walk. Still the sun came out in the afternoon and we all dried out.
Image: Knitting squares for giant cardigan
Some of the ladies spotted a charity knit-in notice, appealing for people to knit squares to make a giant cardigan depicting the land, river and townscapes of Cardigan. Knitting squares proved to be a popular way of relaxing between the end of a walk and dinner time. The finished products were handed over at the local Tourist office.
This was a new area for our Group but everyone enjoyed the trip and we can certainly recommend the quality and variety of the walking in this part of Wales.
Get Walking Weekend in Henley
What a difference the weather makes! Last year we sheltered shivering in our display tent in a rain swept empty Falaise Square. This year any sheltering was from the hot sun!
Image: The 2009 Get Walking stall in the rain
Last year our most notable visitors were a group of bedraggled Duke of Edinburgh award walkers who took advantage of our offer of a few minutes shelter from the driving rain in our gazebo.
Image: 2010 Get Walking stall
This year Falaise Square was buzzing with activity and we had a steady stream of visitors with quite a few of these signing up to join. We are likely to get about 25 new members as a result of the day. The Square was buzzing with activity as we shared the space with the first Henley Festival of Flowers. Last year our intrepid walks leader and two others braved the cold and the rain for the Get Walking Day walk. This year 18 donned their sun hats for the guided walk.
Image: Outside Greys Green Church
The walkers, a mix of new and existing members were taken on a tour of Henley’s historic buildings before heading into the countryside to Rotherfield Greys to see the impressive Knollys effigy tomb in the church there and learn something of stories of the families who owned Greys Court over the centuries.
Cotswold Way October 2009 to March 2010
Doing long distance linear walks in winter inevitably involves risks of bad weather. Undaunted Henley and Goring Ramblers completed the 100 miles plus of the Cotswold Way from Chipping Camden to Bath over five weekends between October and March. Winter linear walks are getting to be a regular feature of the Group programme. The South Downs, North Downs, Three Castles and Shakespeare Ways have all been walked and a 160 mile walk from Pewsey White Horse to Lyme Regis taking in parts of the Wiltshire White Horse circuit and the Wessex Way is being planned for winter 2010/2011.
What were the highlights of the Cotswold Way? They were many: five inches of perfect untrodden powder snow on the hills round Uley Bury and Wotton under Edge on the February stage; the glorious glowing colour of the Cotswold stone in the many picture postcard villages; the views over the Bristol Channel and the Severn bridges; tea in Sally Lunn’s in Bath at the end of the walk. One delightful group tradition reinforced each month on this trip, is pre-dinner champagne provided by whoever in the group has a birthday that month. Fortunately for me as there were 22 walkers on the February leg, two others also had birthdays that month!
Joan Clark
Chantry House and Social Evening 2010
For the last six years, the end of January has brought an enjoyable and informative evening out for our members and friends: the annual Chantry House lecture. This year was no exception. Alan Copeland took us on a fast moving photographic tour of some of the curiosities of the Chilterns. His pictures of the odd, the rare and the unusual, together with his lively commentary provided fascinating insights into the history, customs and lifestyles of people in our area in times past.
The delightful surroundings of Henley’s only grade 1 listed building, a glass of wine, light refreshments, the chance to chat to old friends and make new ones added to the enjoyment.
Walk Leaders and Helpers Festive Dinner
We have had a Christmas Dinner for walk leaders for a number or years, but this year we decided to extend the invitation to the many people who help on a regular basis in a variety of ways. The invitation went out to setters-up, washers-up and clearers-up; to all the talented cooks who make delicious contributions to our suppers and picnics; to BBQ chefs and assistants and to all who help make our social events as well as our walking and trips programme so successful. The outcome was an enjoyable evening together at a Henley restaurant for almost 40 members. The food was good with a rage of options for those who did not feel like Turkey and Christmas Pud. Everyone enjoyed the evening; I think this is an innovation that we will continue in future years.
Footpath News
The footpath at Shiplake, from Mill Lane Lock to Lashbrook, is now open to the general public after an appeal against the decision to designate it a public right of way, was dismissed. Footpath signs have not yet been installed. Footpath 5 at Highmoor has been cleared of tree trunks but there is still no resolution of the dispute over the restoration of a section of the path.
Easy and Leisurely Walks There are lots of leisurely walks in the Winter Programme with 17 walks of less than 5 miles and 18 walks graded as leisurely. Starting points vary: Hurley, Peppard,, Nuffield, Sonning Common, Streatley, Fingest, Nettlebed, Highmoor, Swyncombe, Benson, Rotherfield Greys. There’s something for everyone. If you feel you could manage a bit further, there are lots of other walks with distances from 5.5 to over 12 miles. See our full programme! Please see the main programme for details and contact telephone numbers.
|
Lake District trip: September 2009
Henley & Goring Ramblers climb Sharp Edge on Helvellyn on their recent trip to the Lake District
On a bright and sunny day in September, 22 members of the Henley & Goring Ramblers met up in Keswick for a 5-day break. This was the third holiday organised by the group in 2009, the earlier ones being to the French Alps and Devon.
The first day the whole group walked over nearby Latrigg Fell enjoying watching the paragliders. The following day the weather was not set so fair, and torrential rain and the forecast of gale force winds meant that the walks had to be curtailed. Some retail therapy in Keswick’s many equipment shops cheered up several members
Two levels of walks were offered each day and the return of fine weather meant that all were able to take place, although the lower level walks close to the lakes were very muddy underfoot. The higher-level group had wonderful views from Helvellyn, seeing as far as the Solway Firth and the Scottish mountains. Blencathra proved an exhilarating climb too, particularly for those who ventured on Sharp Edge ridge.
A lower level circular walk from Keswick up to Walla Crag produced its own spectacular views, enhanced by the Air Ambulance landing just off the path on a training exercise.
Accommodation was in two comfortable B&Bs, and the evenings were extremely well organised, with meals in various restaurants and a visit to the Theatre on the Lake.
The holiday ended with a leisurely return via Coniston with a sail on the lake and a visit to John Ruskin’s house. It had been a friendly, challenging and enjoyable few days.
Verchaix, France: 18-25 June, 2009
There aren’t many days when you can get a clear view of the magnificent Mont Blanc massif with all its needles and teeth, but the last day of Henley and Goring Ramblers’ recent trip to the French Alps was one of them. The Group had taken a “green” route using Euro star, TGV and hired cars for the final stretch from Lyon to Verchaix. Verchaix is a small village, between Chamonix and Geneva, some 60 m above the river Giffre in the Haute-Savoie on a south-facing slope. The hotel, La Terrasse de Verchaix, a small family owned and run hotel positioned well-above the valley floor, with clear views and a large terrace, was outstanding.
The accommodation was excellent, as was the hotel food (which was local). The patient attention of our hosts to personal needs and dietary idiosyncrasies could not be faulted. The picnics were tasty and sustaining, although eating them was a challenge to those of the group with aging chewing apparatus!
Food and fellowship are important for a good holiday, and the group had those in abundance, but how about the walking, the ostensible purpose of the trip? The walks were very varied: easy and seriously hard; along streams and rivers; through woods and forests; across low and high pastures; steep ups and steep downs; but all wonderful! There were unexpected challenges to test the group’s mettle, which wasn’t always up to the test! For instance some were daunted by a very wobbly footbridge across a deep gorge, other by a bridge and part of a footpath that had been washed away by storms. There were fixed wire ropes in some of the more scary spots where there was severe exposure. At times people got very hot but at other times, above 2000 metres, they were freezing (even with woolly hats and gloves and winter jackets on). The experiences were challenging but hugely enjoyable.
Late June is clearly peak season for wildlife. Sheep and cattle, carrying bells, were on the high pastures, together with marmots, chamois, red squirrels, foxes, ibex and many birds. The pastures themselves were a sea of colour, with a great variety of wild flowers, some of them quite rare. On two days the group had an excellent local guide, Patrick, who was very knowledgeable about plants and animals, and especially the medicinal uses of plants.
The trip proved to be a veritable feast for the senses and a really memorable experience.
On Saturday June 27th forty H and G members and friends met at Nettlebed Hall for a very succesful Barn Dance. Dancing to a live band The Old Mole, the dancers were ably led through each dance by caller Ben Lobley who had flown back from New York that afternoon especially for the event. Everyone enjoyed a sumptious two course meal prepared and served by June Cross ably assisted by members. All agreed they had enjoyed an excellent evening out.
Chiltern Society
Several members are now helping at the Chiltern Society’s working parties. These take place on alternate Wednesday and Saturday mornings. No special skills are needed! If you would like to join in or want more details, please contact susan.Maguire@tiscali.co.uk
On a bright, crisp morning five of our members joined a working party to install a kissing gate donated by our members. Digging metre deep holes in the chalk was hard work and the tea break with home made cakes was most welcome. The work was finished just in time for the first customer, a local lady with her dog. She thanked the workers very much as this particular stile had been very difficult to get over.