Rebuilding a Drystone wall

[@SandraLeeElkinsJuhl]

I began to be familiar with the way you work on the Homely House videos. The reason I watch your videos is that restoring history is so important. Plus, you give a peak into rural England that I may not normally get to see. I have made only one trip to England in the pass. My DNA says I am 94% British even though my ancestors have been in the USA since before the Revolutionary War. My sons have also Scotch-Irish heritage. I am interested to know more about England's peoples and land. ❤

[@crickettjd]

If we only had stone like that here in Jacksonville, Florida in the United States!!! What a wonderful thing to have!!! They have them up north; my husband is from Upstate New York, so they have plenty there!!! I could watch this all day; what a craft!!!

[@catherinemurphy6721]

Amazing art work. Such talent and labor of love. Thank you for sharing.

[@ants_countrylife]

Thankyou

[@RebeccaTreeseed]

I have lots of stone here in the New Mexican mountains, I want a wall! Too beautiful.

[@janA-0419-Texas]

I can really appreciate the skill and artistry that went into to building this dry stone wall. I was married to a master stonemason for 18 years and in my younger days I helped him on the jobs. So I learned a lot. You are a master at your craft. Thanks for showing this and bringing back the memories.

[@barbarajanerobinson1428]

I find it so interesting the process of building the stone wall. Thank you. I can now understand why the walls are so strong. It is also truly an art and great hard work in planning and concentration.😊

[@ladylee8364]

Thank yo for another lovely video its a great channel Thank you

[@dianeleirer9878]

The art and engineering to building (and rebuilding) dry stone walls demands huge respect. The constant assessing and fine tuning of the stone’s final placement is never the same due to the irregular shapes . Then there is the sheer physical labor of constant heavy lifting (with the risks of injuring the back/wrists). Thanks for posting this, Ant.

[@ants_countrylife]

Your welcome and thanks for watching

[@BattyJ1]

wow that was amazing, bet you good at jigsaw puzzles too

[@marionjay1906]

LLK hi aunt this is Marion and 90 year old lady from Cape Cod Massachusetts and I know that’s a labor of love because it would have to be however it does last a lifetime and you can always look back at it and smile. God bless you. You do a great job. 39:33 well and it looks like you have a break for every person that you have on there some 3000 people watching you that’s an achievement.😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@ants_countrylife]

Thankyou

[@smtmemere]

Ultimate patience and outstanding result!!! We need to CLONE ANT!!!! The world needs more like him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ants_countrylife]

Thankyou

[@Cerecia61]

My goodness! That is so beautiful 😮 I have always wanted to know and see how these beautiful walls are constructed and now I know thanks to you. Thank you Ant! Keep up the good work 👍

[@michelleteeple7712]

Watching you repair the wall brings to mind the poem, "Mending Wall" by Robert Frost. It begins, "Something there is that doesn't love a wall..." Thank you for inviting us to slow down and take in the beauty of simple, but critical tasks.

[@brendaselanders]

I am watching your show from Canada. Your work is amazing and your talents outstanding. You make it look easy, which means beware for those of us who do not have your skills and expertise. Thanks so much. I have also been watching the past videos of The Last Homely Garden. I am in awe of the pond that you built. Bravo! My husband is thankful we don’t have the space for one ! Thanks again.

[@ants_countrylife]

I’m really glad your enjoying watching thank you

[@QuiltingPJ]

Your creativity is amazing

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you

[@marionjay1906]

LLK hi aunt this is Marion and 90 year old lady from Cape Cod Massachusetts and I know that’s a labor of love because it would have to be however it does last a lifetime and you can always look back at it and smile. God bless you. You do a great job. 39:33

[@viridiangreen8259]

Fun learning about Scottish wall design - thank you for sharing this- I love it

[@dko3623]

Thank you for sharing your craftsmanship with us!

[@ants_countrylife]

Your welcome

[@altheatizzard7697]

What a lovely skill, looks like rewarding job to do.... Looks beautiful. Watching from Cape Town SA.

[@akhilaprashanth8269]

I've seen dry stone walls only in picture postcards...love the artistry and beauty, I felt you had the urge to sing along but held back, you have so many birds chirping away, would have loved to hear you join them. Thank you for sharing the art of building a dry stone wall..🙏

[@nanigail395]

The patience….the artistry…the hard work!! Just beautiful & a true treasure 😊👏

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you

[@terrywood4228]

After a very stressful day spent in the emergency room at the hospital, I came home looking for something relaxing to watch and saw that you had posted a new episode. What a treat. The calming sounds of nature and your skill and explanation of your work did the trick. Thank you.

[@ants_countrylife]

I hope your ok and I’m glad you enjoyed the video thankyou

[@JaniceNeff-u6k]

Loved the look of the wall that you did, it is so much nicer than the original one. Easy to tell you are a Master of your work and willing to go the extra mile in all that you do, Thank you for posting

[@ants_countrylife]

Thanks so much 😊

[@marthahighland8391]

Beautiful wall! You are very talented at rebuilding a wall. Great video and a great job! I love stone walls.

[@patriciavacilek3791]

Thanks, Ant, for sharing this video of you at work. You’re a true artist and have a lot of patience and skill. So peaceful where you were working and love the bird song.❤

[@pamelawoodall5891]

Absolutely beautiful! Perfection !

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you so much!

[@RaymondWilliams-od6ib]

This was so relaxing. The clink clack of the stones and the birds and the placement of the camera and microphone. I felt that I was sitting there in an outside chair right there. And I was drinking a cup of tea at my kitchen table and just started falling asleep right there at the table. Maybe it was the tea but I think it was the afternoon with you and I dozed off several times.

[@maiamitt]

Ant, my late husband and I spent three weeks in England in 1993. I have always loved the stone walls and had I been younger, I would have spent time and money learning how to build them. I know it is an art and takes a good eye and patience to make them. Now that I’m 78, it’s not going to happen. It sure would have looked wonderful all around our property. Thank you for your videos-they’re informative and so interesting.

[@dianegardner2029]

I live in Michigan USA. I don't think I have ever seen a dry stacked stone wall here. This is a treat to watch!❤

[@ants_countrylife]

I’m. Lad you like watching it thank you

[@plison7165]

You are amazing Ant! So much skill and art in your hands. With only a string line and rock hammer -you created something worthwhile and beautiful. Thanks so much. Geologist Peggy in Madison Wisconsin usa.

[@ants_countrylife]

@@plison7165 thankyou

[@PaintpalSue]

Such a wonderfully satisfying video, Ant. The sounds of the countryside and the knocking of the stones, then watching it all come together under your skillful, patient sorting and stacking feels a bit mesmerizing and incredibly peaceful. Thank you, as always!

[@inezwalsh2584]

Anthony we build stone walls here as well ,just across the pond from you.Newfoundland,Canada .We were a colony of Britain however in 1949 ,I guess we were no use to England so we joined with Canada…You are doing a wonderful job and yes I have visited your country and loved it…

[@curtedwards7447]

Love the nature in your job site today, Anthony, and the contrast to my office space. The wall looks amazing.

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you

[@maggiesmith3472]

It is a privilege to watch such skill and expertise. Your understanding of the materials and the environment is amazing. Such lovely countryside.

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you

[@judyzeigler3980]

Very well done. It is so interesting watching you rebuilding that wall. Makes me want to go build a well. Thanks so much for sharing with us out here. You’re a very hard worker. You don’t see too much in the modern world these days.😊

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you

[@anncook5041]

"Ant Art" Absolutely, Brilliant as Always Such Fabulous Tips That I'll be Applying As I "Greet & Embrace" Each Bit of Stone Placement & Replacement Within My Rock Garden Sincerest Gratitude Oh, So Precious Major Virtual Hugs 💞 Ann

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you Ann

[@annecrisp7818]

I remember the stone walls close to our house when we were kids ...we would hide things in them and then forget were they where.....it really is an art ...

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you

[@BettyKoehler-zg5sv]

My goodness, from a pile of rubble to a beautiful repaired stone wall! Nice work, Ant!! Love watching both you and Kate! Greetings from Pennsylvania, USA 💕🌷🐻

[@ants_countrylife]

Thanks I’m glad your enjoying my videos too 👍

[@rfinnie1]

It was great to see how a stone wall is built. The wall reminds me of the wall around our cottage in Massachusetts USA. I loved that home. Thank you for sharing your skill. You are very talented.

[@ants_countrylife]

Thankyou

[@sandrasparkes4501]

That was very interesting. The way you can pick up a stone and know where it will fit , you’re clever. Thank you for sharing your skill.

[@ants_countrylife]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@janicesheppard2084]

I so enjoy your videos and your passion for rebuilding the stone walls. Tks for sharing, Nl 🇨🇦

[@ants_countrylife]

Thanks for watching!

[@christinesmutek3856]

WOW. What a skill. That must kill your back. Looked amazing. WOW. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@ants_countrylife]

Thanks Christine I’m glad you enjoyed the video and don’t worry my back is fine 😊

[@chrisscarlett8833]

Ant, love this video. Your wall is so much neater than the original. Thank you for filming your progress

[@nikkijones4978]

So clever. My hubby would have liked watching this …. he did a lot of woodland maintenance and working outside. I don’t think he ever did dry stone walls though; not much of that down here in Surrey

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you

[@sarahsherman3810]

Ant- we feel like we know you from Kate's cabin. Lol. Watching you work is like ASMR. Kinda wish I could lend a hand. Lol. Grew up on a farm on Ohio- fixed many gates and fences with Dad. Rocks are the enemy for us though! Lol. Kill tires and machinery faster than anything else.

[@ants_countrylife]

Thanks for watching and I’m glad you enjoy the videos .. I can only imagine how hard it is to farm stoney ground it must be a nightmare

[@kimandrews9734]

That is a work of art. Really enjoy your videos, plus we get beautiful scenery too.

[@kregister7921]

Would not have imagined I’d be interested in watching someone build a wall, but what a fascinating episode this was! So interesting to see the mix of skill and artistry.

[@ants_countrylife]

Thankyou I’m glad you found it interesting

[@judithcarr1677]

Master class in dry stone walling. Great to see it in real time. Thank you Ant

[@ants_countrylife]

I’m glad you enjoyed it wasn’t sure if it was too long thank you

[@anncook5041]

❤ You're Most Welcome, Ant Yesterday I initiated the "Sensitive Touching & Feelings of the What Where & Why of Each Stone Placement" Ongoing Thoughts of Gratitude for Your Inspiration & Amazing Synchronicity of Timing in Sharing Your Insight As you have a moment Pat yourself on the back With both hands Cross your arms in front Offering bit of a hug At the same time Ant you're So Previously Touching Many with Inspiration 👍

[@dianeknott3655]

Ant, this is gorgeous!! Such skill!

[@ants_countrylife]

Thankyou

[@ConnieAcree]

Such a beautiful wall. Lots of time and patience building it. You were very informative. Thank you for sharing. God bless from Nebraska, USA.

[@ants_countrylife]

Your welcome and thanks for watching

[@poetvic1958]

Take pride in your work - you do a wonderful job! GOD Bless.

[@ants_countrylife]

Thankyou

[@77sun222]

Hi Ant Your section of wall is so much more neater. I suggest that from now on you add a memorium to your precious work,and not just let future generations assume it was built by unknown workers💯

[@ants_countrylife]

That's a great idea!

[@invisible4445]

That is a heck of a nice job! ❤ I’ve always had a great deal of respect for stone wall builders. It is truly a skill.❤👏

[@ants_countrylife]

Thankyou

[@susanbanack4855]

Quite an art to it!

[@marijkeschellenbach2680]

I have such respect for your knowledge on so many ''crafts'' that have almost gone by the wayside and hope this will inspire people to continue learning how to do things by hand.

[@ants_countrylife]

I hope so too!

[@Idedabah]

Awesome job Anthony.. xox

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you

[@CherylCadzow]

it looks fantastic. Love these dry stone walls. We have old ones in Victoria, Australia, in the early settlement areas.

[@paularodery8074]

So very interesting to watch and learn about! Is there any job you CAN’T do Ant?😊

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you ..

[@susanlee1827]

So interesting, Ant. I’ve always wondered how those rock fences were built. Great talent and tons of patience! 😊

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you

[@janetwalker4483]

I used to live in a cotton town in the North West. It would only take half an hour or so for my Dad to drive us out into the Dark Peak in the school summer holidays. Lots of dry stone walls there! I often wondered how they were built and how they stayed up in all weathers. Now I know! Thanks, Ant, for another interesting video.

[@kathycollins9510]

Here in Kentucky, USA there are dry stone walls crumbling everywhere. I'm told no one knows how to rebuild them. It is sad to see these great old walls falling apart.

[@ants_countrylife]

Maybe I should come over to Kentucky and rebuild some for you all 👌

[@quiltzyx]

What a joy to watch a real craftsman/artist at work! I noticed that the last cope stone left of the original part of the wall looks like the head of a big cat!

[@sharonvantroyen9686]

Thanks for another great video, Anthony! It’s fascinating to see it all come together! It is hard, manual labour, but so beautiful when complete. I love the stone fences in Great Britain and Ireland, and certainly appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into their construction. They are so very impressive!

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you

[@joanspiller1553]

I loved this video as well! Loved the birds and horse sounds. You are an amazing worker. Would you please consider eye protection when breaking the stones? Beautiful wall!!

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you and I will wear glasses next time

[@deborahbaughman1366]

Well done Ant. I love it❤

[@Olderthantime-ic]

Brilliant...you are so clever.

[@ants_countrylife]

Thankyou

[@SusanBAnderson]

What a great video. You have such concentration and skill. Loved watching the wall come together.

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@marymitchell6733]

I've assisted in the building of a gabion wall. It was easier than this because the stones were contained in the enclosure. This you do is so much more intricate and infinitely harder. Fascinating.

[@ants_countrylife]

Hi Mary I also have done gabion baskets when I’ve been landscaping they are quite a bit easier but still hard work

[@Ijy452]

Beautiful work! A pleasure to watch.

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you I’m glad you liked it

[@glynislaidlaw4064]

Respect, I really enjoyed watching you repair the wall, its like a three D jigsaw puzzle!

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you it does get easier the more you do it

[@JC-hn7cm]

Amazing job, Ant!! Thank you for this fascinating video.

[@daggy1778]

thank you,dear Ant for tag along with you..................wonderful work................☘☘☘

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you I’m glad you like the videos

[@k.gebhard6686]

ARGH, Ant: thank you so much for this video!! I‘ve loved to see you building this up!

[@ants_countrylife]

My pleasure!

[@gwennunn6137]

It’s a complicated jigsaw made to look relatively easy by a master craftsman, Anthony. I’m full of admiration! 🤗

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you that’s so kind

[@Fitz-14]

❤

[@angelagreene9162]

You do amazing work. I enjoy watching your videos!

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you … that’s very kind

[@jillychandler]

This is such a wonderful craft to have. You are such a knowledgeable and able man. I hope that you can pass on your skills to the younger generation, otherwise they will be lost forever. Dry stone walls are so beautiful to see, and so needed. Blessings from Jilly & Madge the rescue greyhound, from West Devon, England. xxx

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you

[@ladyd54]

Ant, Such a masterful piece of dry stone wall. I’m tired and sore from watching all of that physical labor required. Here in Virginia there are still some of the walls from the Civil War Era and they sure could used your help in places. Thank you for sharing this video!

[@ants_countrylife]

Thanks Linda I’m glad you enjoyed the walling

[@annieo54]

The wall is a fascinating build, I’ve seen them around where I live, but never fully appreciated the ingenuity that went into the building and maintaining of such a wall. I think they are a beautiful part of the landscape. Where I come from originally it’s dry baked land and posts supporting strings of barbed wire..sometimes decorated by the wind with tumbleweeds..

[@ants_countrylife]

Hi Ann I’m glad you enjoyed watching thanks

[@Ninainoz]

🥰

[@karenkaren9526]

Well done 👍

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you 👍

[@VenessaOliver-lb9fw]

I enjoyed that. I think it turned out very well. You have a definite knack for it. The bird song was amazing. The scenery was beautiful. Thank you💖

[@ants_countrylife]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it and thank you for watching

[@carolnash5617]

I do enjoy your videos, esp when you are rebuilding a rock wall... so happy you are adding commentary to them. It is fascinating to know the WHY of the process, why pick one rock over another and what to do to make the wall stronger.

[@ants_countrylife]

Thanks for watching and I’m glad your enjoying them

[@marilyn9155]

Hi Ant ! While this is work to you , it is relaxing and interesting to watch. The wall is a true work of art and dedication and it reminds me of a jigsaw puzzle how all the stones blend together . I can hear lambs bleating and birdsong. The sounds of work are also pleasing! Thank you so much for bringing us along! ❤Marilyn xx

[@ants_countrylife]

Hi Marilyn I’m glad you enjoy the videos and thanks for watching

[@JB-pd4ni]

So glad you could save it, beautiful!

[@dixieross2784]

I just love the look of the stone wall fences you have near you. I wish we had something like this where I live. You do such a great job doing the repairs on these fences. You have such patience and creativity to repair these fences. Thank you for sharing this with us. It was so enjoyable and educational too to see how much work is involved with a repair.

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you so much!

[@AnnEmery-ps5wx]

So enjoyed watching the process. Thank you for sharing

[@ants_countrylife]

Your welcome I’m glad you enjoyed it

[@mariehansen2534]

I was thinking of those farmers or previous Stone Wall builders who had handled the stones in the past and how you have added to their Legacy. It seems like an exact science, necessary and very clever, like stacking the woodshed. Thank you for sharing your masterpiece ❤

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you for watching Marie I’m glad you enjoyed it

[@annefaught6009]

Beautiful.

[@vivienclark6653]

Great video beautiful finished wall it must be satisfying seeing the results of your hard work a beautiful wall .

[@nikkijones4978]

What a great ‘office’ to work in. So lucky 😃

[@ants_countrylife]

Absolutely

[@janebutz5375]

Beautiful job and it really makes you appreciate all the work that it took. Were there pieces left over? Only kidding.

[@Quiltmama31]

Wow. That was amazing.

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you I’m glad you enjoyed it

[@janikabertone5566]

What a wonderful skill that is building that wall. It looks great. I enjoyed watching you, the birds singing, the clicking of the rocks and the bang of the hammer!

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you I’m really glad you enjoyed it

[@moureenboland334]

What a great viewing. The wall looks really good.

[@thatgirlinokc3975]

This was educational, but also relaxing listening to the birds and breeze. Thanks for making a long video.

[@ants_countrylife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@paulettebornestig4430]

Now I see that you are indeed “rebuilding” as opposed to putting back the puzzle that fell down. Such a skill.

[@ants_countrylife]

Thank you

[@NannaLiz]

Thanks!

[@ants_countrylife]

Hi Liz thank you so much for such a generous gift and thank you for all your kind comments

[@marynimocks6791]

So interesting to watch. Are the top dressing vertical pieces designed to allow winds to pass through, reducing rock face resistance to wind? Very calming to watch a craftsman! Thank you!

[@candygrubisic]

You do good work. For whatever reason...it reminds me of stacking wood for the stove lol. Probably because if the pile isn't stacked right the pile will topple over. Do they have livestock that needs being kept inside that area? A lot in our area are just regular rocks but stacked into walls out of necessity...after plowing fields and picking rock it had to go "somewhere" lol.