Whitchurch Canal Breach Update, Stairs Removed As Bank Excavation Starts!

[00:00:00]Hello everyone. We're back down at the brereech again today. And that was good timing with the uh the sun being in line with that guy. I'll just do that once again for you. Gets me every time. But either way, yeah, we're back at the brereech today. And uh well, we're down here nice and early. Actually, I've got the day off, so I thought I'd make the most of that. And uh yeah, come down to the brereech early. And like I say, it is early and it is dusty down there. I'm sure you can tell that. But um we've said it a lot last week and I do believe it's going to be the case where fingers crossed it's going to be an interesting week down here. So it's possible, it certainly is possible that this will be the first week of stone deliveries for the actual breach itself. So the technical rebuild section uh of all of this uh could well start this week and then of course in the meantime we've got plenty of other things to watch. Now, we do believe that there is jetting uh to be done on the main culvert and the field drains. Of course, the main culvert is probably the uh the more interesting of those two. And then uh well, we've got top soiling to do. Um I don't know if there's any work left to do on the drains. Maybe uh well, that'll have to be fixed, but that is only a very little job uh compared to the rest of it. And then other than that, we'll wait and see. Now, one thing I do think that this is about is that uh the Well, tell you what, I'm probably best showing you. So, of course, that's where the stream was, and you can already see that a bit of water uh is pooling up, and I do believe that uh they'll probably just be sorting that out real quick. There was a worker that came down uh real early this morning. Um, I do believe it was the general and uh, yeah, I had a good look around the area and uh, I think that they just want a little bit of tidying up work uh, related to that.

[00:01:58]So, I'll tell you what, we'll move slightly further this way.

[00:02:02]It's very dusty where the drone is, as I'm sure you can tell with how washed out the image is at the moment.

[00:02:11]Tell you what, now thankfully I am nice and zoomed in here. Actually, that's a good point as well. I do have the big drone. It is in my possession. Uh I got that on Saturday afternoon actually. Uh now I'm not filming on it currently just because I haven't had a chance to test fly it yet. And of course um I do want to make sure that it is fully functional uh before I uh put it around site. Uh, of course, you know, I suppose there is an element of risk involved uh just because well, there wasn't a a definitive answer as to what happened. And uh yeah, I'd just be a lot more comfortable um if well, I'll just get some test flights under me belt with it. Just fly it in the garden for a few hours and uh see how we get on. But you'll see there that he's just taken a very small amount of top soil uh from the entrance to the new drain. And I can also tell you that this guy has got the surveying staff.

[00:03:17]Now, of course, we do know at this point that uh they only do the surveying one if there's some readings that they need, but two, if there's large works coming, um that is probably the best way to put it. So, I'd imagine it would be a case with them doing that area specifically.

[00:03:37]It's likely that uh the top soiling will be beginning shortly. Fingers crossed.

[00:03:43]Anyway, now before I forget, I'll quickly take this opportunity just to say if you haven't subscribed already, really would appreciate if you did. And uh as I've said a couple times as well, there's lots of interesting things coming. Um whether that be the jetting or the uh the rebuild itself. Uh and I do know that that includes uh new machines and old machines uh coming back in. So uh yeah, lots to look forward to and uh do subscribe so you don't miss that. But we'll have another look over here as well. Get a closer view of those works.

[00:04:20]I don't know why that uh water has been pooling up as much as it has. I suppose it could just be the case where uh well, yeah, I suppose it's probably quite obvious in that uh for whatever reason the water isn't being allowed to drain away as efficiently as they'd hoped. uh for whatever reason. Uh I suppose the properties of the top soil that they added back in would probably be the uh the only thing I can think of. But if anyone does know, then uh do give us a shout.

[00:04:53]On the uh Sunday video where we had our close fly around, uh you could certainly see it in that uh with visible standing water uh actually at the top there. And you can see as well hasn't gone very far. Uh but right in the center of screen there you can obviously see where that uh dan patch has traveled downhill and it's absolutely fine this time of year. But you can imagine uh when there is actually some rain cuz of course we haven't had any rain recently. Um tell a lie on Saturday it like drizzled for about 10 seconds. Oh felt good. It certainly did feel good, but you know, you can imagine that if there was proper rain and that stream was uh running at full flow, it would be well a lot more damaged than that. So, uh no doubt they're just getting ready for that.

[00:05:47]And that's a point as well. The uh the new drain hasn't really fixed that uh wet spot down there for whatever reason. um whether uh it'll just take a while because we did see even after the work was done uh that there was still a fair wet spot down there and it does seem smaller than that. So maybe like we say maybe it's just the case where uh that'll take a little bit to drain. But you've got to imagine as well um I would have thought it'd be the case where of course this uh area was underwater for many many many weeks. um probably best part of what 3 monthsish give or take.

[00:06:29]It's hard to remember in all honesty, but yeah, if it was let's say 3 months, um then the ground would have been so saturated. Now, of course, uh the top layers will dry out quick, but uh those uh layers underneath not so easy.

[00:06:48]Now, another check over here as well.

[00:06:51]They're going quite far down actually.

[00:06:56]Is a bit of a strange one. That Oh, there's a little bit of terram as well on there. So, I'm guessing they've just gotten down to that layer that they're after.

[00:07:09]So, I don't expect too much more digging.

[00:07:14]But yeah, I am uh I am very excited for the big drone, let me tell you. And uh I'll take this opportunity to say as well a massive thank you to everyone that supported on buying me a coffee and through super thanks especially helping out uh with the repair of the big drone.

[00:07:30]Uh you know it's just absolutely awesome. So really do appreciate it and uh I'm just like I say glad we've got it back.

[00:07:39]Now I'll quickly show you as well the surveying guy still working on the areas where we expect the top soil to be added back. So I have no doubts uh that'll be the reason for that. So, we'll take this opportunity as well, just to have a good look, make sure that we're not missing anything across site.

[00:08:00]And, uh, like I say, fingers crossed, uh, tomorrow will be the day. Uh, that the big drone. Oh, the little excavators on the job as well. That is nice. Tell you what, we'll go and get a good shot of that cuz I'd imagine that'll be the main man.

[00:08:22]There we go.

[00:08:25]It's always funny to see the uh the large excavator next to the little excavator. It is uh something amusing about it. But uh they are really cracking on with the uh the spoil piles now. And uh of course they are getting it nice and close to the road. So, no doubt that'll be uh well to take it off site, I would certainly guess. Um whether they will reuse some of that uh for other jobs around site, almost definitely uh but I don't think to a large extent. In fact, I uh I have my doubts. Now, I'm just going to get another view around site, make sure that we're not missing anything. As always, it is so easy to uh get distracted down here and then realize that uh the fuel boats have gone or something else has happened. Especially over the weekend with that weekend work we did have. You know, you've got to keep your eye on these things.

[00:09:20]Fuel boats are still there though actually.

[00:09:26]That's Is that more water than we've been used to?

[00:09:30]tell you what easiest way. We'll go and have a look.

[00:09:35]Now, that is one big bonus of the uh the large drone in that it obviously is a lot easier to see in the sky. So, uh whereas this is, you know, a little bit difficult on the eyes to see. Uh I wouldn't want to take it too [snorts] much further past this and it's only 150 m away. Uh with the big drone, you do not have that issue. Now, one thing I have noticed as well, that field doesn't look too great. So, uh we saw even probably a month ago that it was looking real good and uh not the case anymore.

[00:10:10]Now, the excavator is back to excavating. So, we'll go and have a look. It's a lovely morning um to be fair down here. It's the sun's out, but it's not too warm. If anything, this morning it was uh quite chilly.

[00:10:29]So, he's off. And uh to be fair, I'm not surprised. That is one full track bumper. So, they've done that nice and quick, actually.

[00:10:39]Now, I can also tell you that the excavator is moving off. I don't know if he's just switching his bucket or I don't know. I'll keep an eye on it.

[00:10:51]But either way, we love a track dumper going away shot.

[00:10:55]So, we'll go do that now.

[00:11:02]Doesn't get too much more satisfying than that. It certainly doesn't.

[00:11:10]Lost a little bit, but uh happens to the best of us.

[00:11:16]Now, I'm sure you can hear there the excavator rattling his bucket. So, uh I think he's just trying to take his bucket off, but uh if it's full of dirt, then uh it can get a little bit stuck.

[00:11:28]So, uh if he gives it a good shake like that often, it'll sort it out.

[00:11:34]No, [laughter] gets me every time. That does. So, of course, the large machines have got the A. It wasn't even that this time. It all It may well have been, but it's a bad example cuz the guy is there as well.

[00:11:48]So, uh, of course the AI cameras, um, are on the size of the big machines and, uh, every time they drive past that canal river trust site with the people on it, uh, it sets off the cameras and, uh, like I say, bad example cuz there was actually a person next to them. Uh, but saying that, that sign is quite dirty now. So, uh, yeah, maybe not as common as it once was.

[00:12:19]I had a comment the other day actually uh saying that they wanted to see uh the excavator turn his bucket around. So there you go.

[00:12:31]Nice and easy. Now, one question I do have, uh, I'd imagine he's done that, um, so he can pick up some pea gravel, but, uh, I had a couple people commenting saying it wasn't pearl and it was too large. But, I mean, you know, from what I've been told, uh, people on site and other people, it is pee gravel.

[00:12:51]So, uh, yeah, I don't know if it's not pee gravel. Uh, I'm happy to be corrected. Uh, like I say, I've only got gone off what other people have told me.

[00:13:01]And uh if you got a actual name for it, then uh more than happy to call it that.

[00:13:06]But like I say, if I uh well, it's just what I've been told. Now, actually, from this point of view, also two wet spots.

[00:13:16]Yeah, strange one. We'll have to keep an eye on that and see if it gets larger or does shrink over time. But with him heading off, I'll quickly have a look where he's gone to. And I can tell you that one of the Marina higher boats is about to leave. Get you a quick view of that.

[00:13:37]There we go. So, uh, no doubt a good day for boating. It is, like I say, just a real pleasant morning. Um, yeah, it doesn't get too much better than this in July. It certainly doesn't. Tell you what, we'll go get a bit of a nicer angle of this.

[00:13:55]It is always satisfying. It's one of them as well, you know, it does, you know, take you to the future and uh the idea of the first boat across the brereech when it is all said and done, that'll be an exciting time to say the least.

[00:14:13]I do wonder if uh the septum will be finished in time. I have my doubts. It's an incredible amount of work um that needs doing to that, but I think that would certainly be a good idea.

[00:14:25]that or Joe's boat. I haven't seen Joe's new boat actually. That would uh yeah, that would be nice as well.

[00:14:35]Saying that, I suppose. Yeah, Septan or Pacemaker. We know that Pacemaker is on the water at the minute. That would be a good one, too. Maybe a little convoy of all three. Uh that would certainly be a good idea. Now, we'll leave him to it and we'll go see if they are uh getting the pearl. Like I say, I'm just going to call it pear gravel until uh till I am corrected.

[00:15:00]Oh, the little excavator is doing it as well.

[00:15:06]Now, like I say, the uh the big drone will be a big difference, but uh I'm sure you can understand me not flying it today uh until I have given it a good test. You know, it's one thing losing video signal, but like I say, when I got home, it did drop [snorts] out of the sky. So, uh that that'll make you a bit more nervous. It certainly will. So, it looks like they're not too far away from uh done with the loading of that gravel.

[00:15:33]So, I'll tell you what, when he's back, I'll bring you right back. And here it is. The uh the delivery is on its way.

[00:15:40]So, we'll go get a closer look. Now, doesn't look overly full. Uh it's not like it was last week where uh it was almost to the brim. So I'm guessing they uh they know they don't need too much.

[00:15:55]They'll get into a slightly nicer position with the light. Of course, with it being early, uh we've got to chase that light whilst filming. And uh just means we got to go a little bit further this way.

[00:16:07]And to be fair, that suits the work on the uh the right hand side as well.

[00:16:13]No, don't exactly know. Ah, there we go.

[00:16:17]Had me a bit worried then.

[00:16:24]So, I wonder if we'll get that awful noise or uh if it won't be too bad.

[00:16:33]Now, I think that they're waiting for the big dog to leave the machine just so they can uh Oh, that was quite satisfying, actually. uh just so he can direct him to exactly where this needs to go. Of course, you can imagine that the excavator operator actually doesn't have the the best sight into the hole and uh always helps to uh have a banksman just to direct.

[00:17:06]Now, of course, we did see them dig out that very small amount of So, I'd imagine it is the case where they've just exposed the very front of that drain and now that'll allow them to uh well add that gravel into the front of it and just be a bit more permeable for that uh water down the stream.

[00:17:29]Now, I was thinking that uh I'd have a few comments about that noise of the uh the gravel in the back of the track dumper, but not really. people didn't seem to mind it as much as I do in person. But, uh, I don't know if it comes across on mic, just how much it does sound like nails on a chalkboard.

[00:17:47]It is, uh, yeah, not the most pleasant of sounds.

[00:18:02]But the sound of the gravel on top of gravel, that does sound nice. That is a satisfying sound to say the least.

[00:18:19]Every time. Every time. Now, of course, with me being down here early today, uh I will be doing uh an afternoon video as well. So, uh do keep an eye out for that later. So, uh, well, it's one of them weeks because we know that a lot of unusual stuff is happening. We just have no idea on when. Uh, it's one of them days or weeks, sorry, that uh we're just going to have to spend some time down here. Uh, just make sure that we don't miss anything too crucial. And, uh, the one thing that flying the big drone uh, will be useful for is that now I know that the little drone does do a decent job. uh you know, if I run out of batteries on the big drone, which shouldn't happen. I've got a few, but uh if it does, then uh let's say it's a a crazy day where there's jetting going on, uh stone deliveries going on, then uh well, we're covered. We certainly are covered.

[00:19:30]Now, that brings me to a question.

[00:19:32]Actually, that's we haven't done the uh the question segment of the video for a while. So, uh of course, we know that there's loads of stuff uh on the horizon uh potentially just in the next week or so. Uh so, what are you most excited for is my question. You know, is it uh the jetting? Is it the actual uh stone deliveries for the rebuild? Is it the digging out of the rest of the brereech?

[00:19:59]Uh do give me a shout. I think for me personally, I don't know. I don't know. It would my immediate reaction would be jetting, but uh I don't know the the significance of the first stone delivery, you know, that's that'll be something. That will be something. So, uh I'll have a think about that. But like I say, do feel for feel free to uh drop a comment on uh on what you what you're most looking forward to.

[00:20:30]I'm guessing that uh they're pretty much done with that.

[00:20:37]And then hopefully this afternoon or later this morning uh we'll see some different works and uh certainly interesting works. But you'll see there he's only adding a very fine layer to that now.

[00:20:53]And as always, the control on that impeccable. Absolutely impeccable.

[00:21:07]I uh I can tell you as well that uh we are moved into the house now. Still got a few little bits and bobs to do. So, uh, the Wi-Fi as well, that's getting sorted in the next couple days. And, uh, yeah, that'll be a nice treat as well.

[00:21:24]So, the uploading of videos won't take as long there. So, you know, I've got pretty decent Wi-Fi at the minute, but nothing uh too sensational, whereas uh the [snorts] new Wi-Fi we are getting uh is very nice. Very nice indeed. So, uh should be half of the time to uh upload the v the videos and uh that's probably one thing that I am most looking forward to in all honesty. It's going to be uh very good indeed. Now, I can tell you that uh by the look of it, there's a few guys that are in relatively clean hive.

[00:22:01]So, I'll get you a nice shot of that heading up this way. So, I don't know what that's about, but we'll keep an eye on it and uh see how we get on.

[00:22:10]Now, I'll just keep nice and low here just because Josh's drone is above us.

[00:22:16]And by the look of it, they're heading toward the uh Stags Brook Stags Brook Culver.

[00:22:25]Like I say, it's been a busy weekend, so you'll have to forget how tired I sound.

[00:22:30]But uh yeah, interesting one. I do wonder if they're going to do an inspection or uh we were thinking that one might actually happen. So, we'll keep an eye on it and uh see how we get on. So, by the look of it, they are just having a good look around that culvert.

[00:22:47]Um I'm not too sure exactly what they're uh having a look at, but uh yeah, certainly interesting. And uh if they do make their way down one way or another, then uh I'll be sure to show you that as well. So, those guys that uh we've just seen around the main culvert uh sadly they didn't go in. They did go and have a quick look at the uh brick chamber drain over there and uh one of them actually had a proper good look inside.

[00:23:18]Now Terry raised an excellent point and I don't know if he's uh potentially right about this but could be the uh the jet guys just having a good look around but you know he raised a good point in that uh I wonder what this is up to.

[00:23:35]Interesting.

[00:23:43]We'll just get into position.

[00:23:45]Um yeah, of course the jetting guys I very much doubt they're doing the uh the main call. So yeah, I don't know. But the high viz did look very similar, so could well be the case. But we have seen as well those danger deep mud signs have been moved out of the way.

[00:24:04]So I think we're about to see some uh unusual digging here. So exactly what this is about, I do not know. Unless [sighs] well I think the most interesting bit would if would be if they uh start digging out the bottom of that embankment but I do have me doubts with that.

[00:24:23]That would be quite a late on step I would have thought and uh if it is the case then I'll certainly take it but we'll wait and see with that.

[00:24:35]So just clearing out the last little bit of dust in the bucket there.

[00:24:44]Where is he off to?

[00:24:52]Very unusual.

[00:24:56]Was almost hoping that he'd uh [snorts] be doing the covert for a second then, but maybe he's going to do the bottom of the embankment.

[00:25:13]Yeah, I don't quite know. Uh, of course, there is a little bit of a fence, I believe, in that area.

[00:25:21]Admittedly, it's relatively hard to remember. Um, but I think there is.

[00:25:27]Tell you what, we can go and get a bit of a closer look as long as we go this way.

[00:25:39]Now with so many people having a good look does make me wonder if it is quite [snorts] interesting work.

[00:25:47]You know usually you know cool work does draw a crowd. So he's just moved back now and they are indeed clearing that embankment. So very interesting work and like I say I just I would have thought this would be more of a last step. Now, of course, the uh the tree stump, I would imagine, needs to come out, and it still hasn't been removed. You'll see it just in the center of screen there uh from the brereech tree.

[00:26:18]Now, there is plenty of those types of shrubs uh lining that embankment. So, whether they're just removing them uh before they start on the actual embankment material itself, that wouldn't surprise me.

[00:26:32]Tell you what, we'll go and get a some unhappy crows as well. We'll go and uh move slightly further this way.

[00:26:46]Get a little lower down too.

[00:26:51]There we go.

[00:26:53]So yeah, this is the first uh actual I suppose if you count it, this is the first uh breach work that we have seen in a little while. So uh certainly nice to get this again and of course I [snorts] think it's more of a sign of things to come than anything else.

[00:27:12]Now I tell you what, the uh the slightly creative side of me is lacking most of the time, but uh I can see the uh the shot I'm after. So, of course, I am zoomed in, especially now.

[00:27:31]So, ah, just as one goes, typical, [laughter] but uh yeah, there we go. I don't think it Well, in terms of breach cinema [laughter] 02 there as well, given a wave, but uh I'm surprised he can see the drone in all honesty. It's quite a like you say, it's a very small drone and uh it's probably the best part of 50 m away at the minute. So, uh yeah, take some good eyes. Although, to be fair, I suppose doing that job, you'd certainly need good eyes. And I'll tell you what, I will go and get a nicer shot of the actual work that is happening currently.

[00:28:11]Like I say, I think they're just Well, you can see it there. um with all of those branches. I'm guessing it's an old hedge line would certainly be my guess.

[00:28:22]Uh just clearing that out. Now that's one question actually. Of course, we are expecting the jet in at some point.

[00:28:31]So, we'll go and have a look if there's anything to suggest that there's a jett or anything, but the answer would have to be no.

[00:28:46]Interesting.

[00:28:54]Probably a good 5 m in so far. And I don't think it's a bad shout of saying that it looks like uh an old hedge line.

[00:29:02]That's certainly the well what it looks like to me. You'll see there just a big clump of old vegetation every meter or so.

[00:29:14]Now I can also hear the uh large excavator on the spoil pile working away on the other side of site. And uh yeah, it's a funny one because it's on top of the spoil pile now and it's quite a good line of sight that direction. Uh and honestly, cuz it's a big machine, it looks a lot closer than it is. So when you do see it, um it looks like it's just on the other side of the bridge and then you think, "Oh, another excavator's on its way down." But uh no, absolutely not the case, unfortunately. Although uh I'm sure that we will be seeing plenty of uh well excavator action uh on both sides of site in the next few weeks. Now it's got to be done.

[00:30:00]I did forget on what day was it? I think it was Thursday or Friday. Hey, there's me once again. Thank you to everyone that does wave back. Of course, we've got uh Terry joining us again this morning and uh he does brighten up my mornings. certainly does. And he's the man with the eagle eyes. Doesn't miss a thing that lad. Now, we'll take a good look at that work from this side as well. But you can see clearly uh from this end the water making its way down that uh new drain, but a bit higher up than I'd think they'd uh prefer.

[00:30:38]Now, how far along are they now?

[00:30:41]Uh halfway to the culvert. So, it really isn't taking them long, but either way, I'll uh leave them to it and then I'll bring you back in a short time when they're getting close to done. So, they're almost done now. Just removing the last little bits of that hedge line.

[00:31:00]I'm sure you can hear in the background very small amounts of the uh the wood crack in there.

[00:31:11]You can see their the work that they're currently doing. Sorry. Uh is right above the culvert now actually. So uh they've really cracked on. It's only been about 5 minutes or so. It's probably about half 9 uh at a guess without looking at my phone. Sadly it is on the side so I can't have a quick glance but uh it's got to be around there. So it has been a non-stop morning. Uh you know we've got a good amount done. Now, I will have another check on the other side, too.

[00:31:44]Just make sure once again that we're not missing anything. Uh, you know, if a little jettter or a big jettter turns up, I want to be sure that I'm uh I'm getting it. Actually, that van there that doesn't look like a usual one.

[00:32:04]Yeah, I'll keep my eye on it cuz uh don't know. It does. It's got that feeling in the air at the minute where uh you know, you're expecting something.

[00:32:14]And uh yeah, I think we're going to be in for a good day today, thankfully.

[00:32:25]Now, it's strange in a way that they are clearing right up to the other side of the culvert.

[00:32:33]Sounds a real hard ground there actually. Even the large excavator struggling a bit.

[00:32:44]Don't know if that's just because of the dry ground or those uh very large roots, but yeah, I've seen though that uh the larger excavator no trouble getting even a large stump out of the ground.

[00:33:02]Dave was telling me as well that even a a much smaller excavator can do a a much bigger job than that. So, they really aren't struggling uh with the machines they're using on site.

[00:33:16]Although, don't get me wrong, I would love to see like a 30 ton excavator, but uh we'll take it. We will certainly take it.

[00:33:27]And he's happy with that. So, we'll wait and see where he goes after this.

[00:33:33]Plenty in the back of that tractor dumper though. And I do think the uh the interesting part is still yet to come really.

[00:33:42]Where is he off to? Eh, almost looks like he's trying to get on top of the culvert there. I don't know.

[00:33:50]Just clearing.

[00:33:53]Although I do wonder if it's clearing work like you say to get the excavator on top of the uh the culvert.

[00:34:01]You'll see how he's almost filling uh the right side in there. Almost flatten it out.

[00:34:09]Very strange.

[00:34:12]It does seem odd to me. You can see uh why I'm thinking that in that the left hand side there um the high part, digging that out and then using that to uh fill in the right side.

[00:34:26]Especially now he's creeping up a bit more. Uh yeah, I've got a feeling that we might see the excavator on top of there, but um I don't know if they I'd imagine there's a better chance that we'll see the large excavator do this work and if the chance is that uh the excavator is going on top. [laughter] Apparently I was getting a wave then.

[00:34:51]Gutted [laughter] >> having none of it. Having none of it.

[00:34:58]So, I missed that one. Uh, but yeah, I'd imagine it'll probably be the case where they'll get the smaller excavator on top of there if that is what they're planning to do. But, uh, we'll wait and see with that. Tell you what, got a little bit of a lower shot here.

[00:35:14]Best of both worlds.

[00:35:23]Yeah, very strange.

[00:35:25]Interesting though. And like you say, if that is the case, then uh well, it'll be something good to video for sure. Um but yeah, I don't know if that will just be clearing work uh potentially or well or what that's about. Of course, we do expect the uh the front of the culvert to get dug out at some point, but uh I thought honestly the jet would just do a lot of that work. But plenty of breach material there. But yeah, no, that I mean they're making a perfect platform.

[00:36:03]Yeah. Odd odd. But once again, we uh we do love the the get in and once again uh our guesses recently have been stellar truly and usually that's not the way you know 99% of my guests are wrong but we have had some corkers recently and uh that is also down to you guys uh helping us in the comments get a good idea for what's going on and I feel like it's one of them as well where we're just getting used to uh well the signs of certain things. Um, you know, how it seems to work roughly. Now, of course, we're not right every time, but we're certainly getting better with it.

[00:36:47]Now, where's he off to?

[00:36:55]Maybe it's not a platform, but certainly looks that way. Certainly does look that way, but at the same time, looking at it from this angle now, does kind of look like they're just uh like making that uh last bit of the embankment uh flow a bit nicer where that hedge line was.

[00:37:15]Interesting though.

[00:37:21]Now, I'm just going to grab my phone actually.

[00:37:25]So, it is 27 minutes past 9. Uh so real early still uh good well almost couple hours work so far and uh yeah they've really made good progress especially well there were some days where the progress wasn't as obvious to see but uh today has not been one of those days and uh it's not even break time so certainly take that now by the sound of it there is an excav not an excavator track dumper on the way tell you what easiest way to find out is just to have a Yeah, certainly is. You'll just see him behind the tree there, he says.

[00:38:05]Ah, you can see him, I'm sure. Tell you what, I'll just get both sides of work involved so I'm not staring at a tree waiting for a track dumper to do a magic trick.

[00:38:17]There he is.

[00:38:21]So, I don't know if he's carrying pea gravel or not.

[00:38:27]Can't tell actually if there is something in the back of that. It does kind of look like it, but it is quite far away at the minute.

[00:38:38]You'll see what I mean there. It does look does look like a bit of a platform.

[00:38:46]Strange. Very strange.

[00:38:53]Now I'm also curious.

[00:39:00]I'm guessing they're also going to be digging the stump out shortly as well if that's the uh the position the excavator is currently in. And that will be a good video to say the least.

[00:39:18]Nice and dusty down there at the minute.

[00:39:20]So, you'll see those little spots as well on the ramp. They're not wet spots as you saw before. It was just little bits of uh top soil that fell out of the track dumper onto that ramp. It does look like a wet spot from the uh from the drone, but certainly not. And uh yeah, I am expecting the uh the sump to get removed actually looking at uh where they're working up to now.

[00:39:45]We'll keep an eye on it. Now, this is interesting. So, the excavator is just heading up uh into the brereech. So, actually looks like they might be digging down that side. So, I don't know what that's about, but they've got the general there. So, no doubt they'll uh have a quick discussion on plans. Now, I'll wait for that dust to clear. I know that uh doesn't really look like too much from the drone. It almost just looks like a bit of haziness, but let's go and have a closer look at that.

[00:40:23]Almost looks like they're about to uh get rid of those stairs now. We uh Yep. Bingo. So, uh we did get a question actually over the weekend about these stairs, and that is good timing to say the least.

[00:40:53]Now hopefully you can uh hear that in the background. It is quite a satisfying sound.

[00:41:02]And there was me about to uh go home to get my first video up.

[00:41:12]Just going to uh get the thumbnail shot there as well.

[00:41:26]Now, we are expecting uh lots of uh digging work in the brereech before we actually see the proper rebuild begin.

[00:41:35]Of course, they're not down to the uh the final layer just yet, just because of course they uh well, they're keeping a uh best way to put it is a protective layer uh over the final level uh that they're digging down to just so mainly the weather uh doesn't affect that uh base layer. So once they have dug down to that layer, they'll immediately almost uh start the rebuild then. Just so uh like you say that base layer has as little time as possible uh actually expose the elements uh and that of course stops any erosion uh or any just general damage from uh happening to that. Now I'll get a bit lower there as well. Quite a satisfying shot this. Now, uh, we used to do this a fair bit when they were doing the canal bank excavations, especially on the other side where we'd fly the drone from this side looking through the trees just because it was a bit of a different angle is the uh the best way to put it and uh yeah, it's something a bit different. Now, of course, with the uh the drone, we're so used to uh getting, you know, the footage from above. It is nice to uh mix it up every so often.

[00:42:49]Now, you'll see there that uh the bucket did spill some dust on the side there, but I think actually that was possibly a purposeful decision um just because it did look like uh well, like you say, they're keeping the uh the material they're digging out separate from any wood that they do recover.

[00:43:10]Oh, I don't think uh a little bit a little bit Once again, it is quite a satisfying sound when that uh wood does break. Once again, I know I've said it before, but uh it's as important a time as any to say that. Like you say, if you haven't subscribed, I'd uh certainly recommend it. There's [snorts] plenty of exciting works to come and uh I'm excited as anyone else, possibly more so, just because uh well, you know, it's been it's been a while. It's been a long winter of uh probably two weeks of uh just you know works that we've been expecting. Uh but yeah, I think times are changing and uh things are going to be ramping up rather dramatically.

[00:44:04]Plenty of woodwork still left there though. And to be fair, there's only [snorts] I don't know 3 or 4 foot of the staircase left.

[00:44:14]So not much work at all to do. Now once again just to give you an idea I am zoomed out now and uh we are a good 40 m away from the work itself. Although I can tell you the main man is uh [laughter] is walking over now and he just gave Terry a wave. So I'll get out of this way and uh yeah just move out the way now. I'm sure the workers don't mind really, but uh it's just, you know, it's better for me to uh do that. Even if they don't mind, of course, it's the uh the right thing to do. So, uh I'll certainly do it.

[00:44:53]Now, we can follow him back though. Of course, stay in that uh that 40 m away.

[00:45:00]So I think well the the legal limit for me for I think it's described as uninvolved people or uninvolved persons uh is 5 m like legally I could fly up to these boys 5 m away. Can you imagine? I mean yeah unbelievable. Now I can tell you there's a robin in front of me. See that robin Terry?

[00:45:24]>> You see how brown it was?

[00:45:27]>> Oh yeah. There's another one. There's a a very dusty robin. So, of course, they do use the uh the dust to clean themselves as well. So, I wonder if they've uh just had a good clean, but yeah, it's funny to see a robin that uh just looks a bit filthy. [laughter] Now, I suppose it's one of them as well cuz uh well, saying that they do use the dust to clean themselves. It's not like the uh [snorts] well I say I use water as well occasionally but uh there's not much water down here.

[00:46:00]Well, I say that we're right next to a canal actually. But now I really need to uh start bringing my laptop down here with it being uh interesting work and uh busy. But uh my laptop's not very good. Um, now I did use it on holiday and it worked all right, but yeah, don't know. I don't know. I'll uh I'll put some thought in.

[00:46:27]Although the current way is working all right. So, um, as long as it does work, then uh I won't need to. But if we uh ever get the need to bring the laptop down, I'll uh I'll certainly certainly do that.

[00:46:43]Now it looks like they're trying to uh keep that tree and only get that final post there just on the edge of that reach.

[00:46:59]Just getting the excavator forward ever so slightly there just to give him literally about 3 in extra reach there.

[00:47:12]Sweet.

[00:47:18]Now, I tell you what, these boys are about to go on their break, so I will leave you to it now. And uh yeah, I'll be back down as soon as I possibly can do. And uh fingers crossed the afternoon is as good as the morning. So, once again, I'll see you later on, hopefully.

[00:47:34]And uh hope you all have a wonderful day between then and now. And uh take care of yourselves.