Another sunny and warm day, another plan to split the relatively small group of volunteers between Pontardawe, where we hoped to clear the pound where the water disappears into the pipe, and the Buried Lock site, where work on the dividing wall continues.

Unfortunately, disaster struck as soon as the Pontardawe group started work. We realised that the planned work was now impossible so we locked the gate and went to the Buried Lock leaving Paul keeping watch over the sorry scene.

At the Buried Lock, work was already under way. Lance and Aled mixed mortar, Alan and James laid the stones.

Diane and Andy cut back brambles and branches either side of the towpath.

John, Gary and Phil pulled weed from the canal in preparation for a depth survey, this time between Coed Gwilym park and the Buried Lock.

Tea was taken with three glorious cakes baked by Jan W.

After tea, facing the dividing wall continued, with Gordon joining the team.

Gary pulled irises from the canal close to the boundary of the Buried Lock site. Andy continued to cut back brash along the towpath – he disturbed a hive of small bees but luckily was not stung.

John took to the water to take depth measurements across the canal. James showed Phil and Diane how to record the data and then left them to take readings at twenty metre distances all the way from the park to the lock. Anna supervised, as usual.

We got through a lot of work today, albeit not quite as intended.