On the Job, new technology for old.

Technology moves on, as illustrated in this picture, taken earlier this year. The driver of the mini-digger is an expert in the use of both ancient and modern building technology, his preferred speciality is in stone work, he afterwards re-built the collapsing stone shed which was attached to the back wall.

In the nineteenth century, shovels like the sturdy one in the photo built the British canal system, created railway cuttings which we still use today and dug the London Underground network. In the twenty first century, things are a bit different - but as any builder or gardener knows, there are still times when only the humble shovel will do the job.

The shovel in the picture belonged to my grandfather. It must be at least sixty years old and it still works perfectly. I wonder how long that nice green mini-digger will last.