Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Thinking Without Handbooks

This is a photo I took in Minorca a few years ago of an 'un-bonded' cheekend supporting a dry stone wall fitted in the local traditional polygonal style. The wall (built on a grade) looked to be the same age as many of the other walls in the area - at least 100 years old. I pointed it out to Patrick McAfee (author of Irish Stone Walls ) and we both stood there marvelling at the audacity of its decision to stay standing against so many of the standards introduced by the Brits. 

I think it is time we Canadian wallers consider the diversity of walling types that are not included in the DSWA handbook.