Dry Stone Walls – Principles of structurally sound construction (2018)
I picked up a wonderful concept from a teenage summer spent dry stone walling in the Cotswolds.<p>When you pick up a stone from the pile, it MUST be placed on the wall. You either have to make it fit your intended spot through rotation or another adjustment, or you have to find another place on the wall for it. It CANNOT be placed back on the pile.
I'm sure these rules are not adhered to that widely but they had some great benefits.<p>1. You eye your intended location very well, thinking in 3D.
2. You pick your stone very carefully.
3. You learn something each time the stone doesn't fit.<p>Before too long this restrictive practice becomes an advantage not a hindrance, and has many conceptual parallels with other physical and mental tasks. It's a beautiful thing.