bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0… A little insight into how I thatch a roof

I love this shot by the masterful SB for it captures the dynamism of thatching. The reed is thrown from ground to scaffold, then carried up to working level. After many years, one's balance is sure enough to walk up the ladder hands-free so bundles can be carried up.

I found something rather interesting on the church which I'm currently thatching....

The less glamorous side of thatching, though with the opportunity to find interesting things.....

A hot spell, and while work on the roof has been ongoing, today was a pleasant change, for I headed to my local river, the Waveney. I spent the day waist deep in cool waters, gathering bulrushes with River Waveney Trust. These will be woven into furniture seats by par-avion co.

Stripping old thatch from the church roof today. 70 summers of heat and dust, 70 winters of rain and grime, all ingrained in my skin. I could have found a safe desk job, away from muck and grime, sun and rain. I'd have hated every minute. SB captures it all superbly.

As a thatcher, I worked alone for 5 years when I first set up. For the last 8 years, Olly has been with me. He has learnt the craft and become a great thatcher in his own right. If you can find a job you enjoy, shared with company you like, then work never feels like work.

I love old buildings, which is a good thing as I spend my days working on them. This is Westhall Church, deep in the Suffolk countryside. With sections dating from 1120, and multiple layers of history added every century, this place is a palimpsest of styles and designs.

youtu.be/djoxItoxCkg?fe… If you are based in the US or Canada and have an interest in the handmade, the traditional and the crafted.....check out this on PBS, airing on Fri 24th Nov. And yes, it does also have me in it.

This is the face of a thatcher who is just finishing a the biggest roof he has thatched, during the wettest autumn he has worked through. Relived, tired, dirty and proud. Photo by SB

I went to look at a thatched roof in a remote hamlet on the edge of the marshes, and visited the nearby church at the same time. England's churches have been called the greatest folk museums in the world, and you can see why here...

My talented friend, filmmaker Mark Hannant has made a gorgeous film titled Layers Of Reed It's been shown at Lift-Off Global Network film festival, and has a beautiful soundtrack by The Feathered Thorns. It does contain two dodgy lead characters though, which you'll have to endure

Started a new roof....

I spent part of last year working on this church. The largest roof I've thatched, and I think one of my favourites. It's stood for 600 years and still forms the heart of the community. I met many different people while there, and the church meant something to each of them.

It isn't thatching related, but it does have some history stuff, and I know some of you find such things mildly interesting. Basically, it's just me waffling on about stones.

It is the time when reedcutters are getting cut reed from the marshes, and thatchers are collecting it for use over the coming months. This reed is from Cley, in North Norfolk, and I've brought it down to the south of the county, ready to go on a roof just five minutes from home.

The last day of thatching on a rather lovely cottage in Norfolk.

Getting mucky with daub today, a material that never ceases to amaze me

A freshly thatched roof, in Norfolk. I have loved working here, using local and natural materials to revitalise a delightful cottage. The cottage is clay lump, the roof is reed and straw. All low tech, all effective, all beautiful.

I've just received a copy of A Thatcher's Journey by Tom Allan....go and get yourself one, as it promises to be a wonderful book