Vogrie and Bridge Building

What a day. I was part of a 20 strong volunteer team on a mission to build a bridge in the woodlands of Vogrie. The bridge over the Tyne river will allow access from the the woodland on Midlothian Council's side of the river, across to the woodland on what I have been told is "The Commanders" ground.
Now this territory is new to me and I can't remember all the place names and details of the area. I found this useful article describing the walk ways though.
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/nick-drainey/Walk-of-the-week-Vogrie.5094311.jp

I was collected at 9.40am by a local friend and retiree from the Health Service, Dr Ian Brown. Ian is a delight to chat to and I had said to him in the past that I would happily join him on his volunteer works with the Ranger service to improve pathways in Midlothian. Today was the day of reckoning and I set off with a little trepidation - what was I letting myself in for?

Jo Cooke and Alan Krumholds from the Ranger service were there to organise everyone, and I quickly became the recipient of some stout steel toe capped wellie boots when Jo spotted my walking boots. "A bit muddy and we might have to wade in the river". We set off around the back of Vogrie house, down into the valley and along a pathway. A fair walk to the spot for the bridge project. Wading across the river at the selected spot, we then climbed a steep hill via some man made steps in the slope, to the Commanders house, and brought down all the really heavy tools from a van at the car park. Including a strange contraption, hired from Basically Tool Hire, called a turfer. It was extremely heavy.

Two alder tree trunks had been cut ready for us and all we had to do was position them over the river and we would have the base for the bridge. Have you any idea how heavy Alder is? I think there may have been 12 bodies lifting the trunk using ropes. We placed it across the river and then the debate began on the best way to buid a bridge. The men with the engineering brains debated long and hard on the way to fix the posts and the best direction to lay the top decking. Jo was in charge of the chain saw so she kept herself busy but myself and Elaine started to get cold and it was coming up to lunch time. It seemed like a good idea to get warm by carrying some of the heavy tools that were no longer needed, back to the car park. Despite bringing in the turfer, we never used it. It could have been used to pull the tree trunks but we had lifted the trunks instead. So I offered to carry the turfer back to the van. Half way up the hill I suddenly felt very unwell. It really was an exhausting climb with the added weight. A glass of water c/o the Commanders wife and all was well.

Lunch included some of Jo's home made apple tart and the afternoon session was ready to go. The girls left the boys to do the bridge and we started on major pruning of shrubs along a vague pathway leading to an old Lime Kiln. This was better - girly chat and work at the same time.

When we worked our way back to the bridge around 4pm we were asked to appraise the fixings on the new bridge. Rock solid with 6 inch screw bolts throught the posts. The top decking wasn't finished, simply laid in place to allow us to appreciate the final look. I wonder - did the boys do more talking than the girls? or was it a competiton to see who could over engineer the fixings? whatever, it will be a lovely bridge when it is finished next week.

Didn't take my camera but next week I'll be able to photograph the finished article and post some pictures.