How to dig a trench - an old man shows you the easy way
Channel: Simon Pockley
Date: 2021-03-07

You'll find the secret to digging a trench by hand and how to wheel a barrow.  Here, a broken sewer with no machine access left no choice but to spend a few days with my long-arm shovel (spade), crow-bar and wheel-barrow excavating 3 tonnes of sticky clay. After a life-time of digging through all kinds of difficult terrain, the principle remains the same: sand, mud, clay, shale, rock and concrete (even opinionated people) can all be shifted if they have somewhere to go. The secret is to use a stepped approach (make small steps). Be patient as you work up and down the steps and you'll be amazed how easily the hard can become soft. Always load your barrow at the front so that the weight is over the axle.

Happy to talk back if you have questions or comments.