Don't throw it away. . .

. . . it will come in useful sometime!

In 1972 we installed a milking parlour.
In 2002 we replaced it with a new one.
Several unwanted bits of metal from the old one - pipes and rails etc were stored (ie more or less abandoned to the elements).
April 2013. We need some specialist brackets to fasten some rails together.
They were still fixed to the original pipes (40+ years) and unscrewed with relative ease.
At last, the old brackets have their day "and come in useful".

Thrift at work!

A not very grand opening

First thing this morning James went down to the road, opened the lane gate and closed the gate to the cow track. It's almost three weeks since the concrete was laid and we reckon it's now OK for (almost) all traffic. By the time the heaviest vehicle comes up (cake wagon) it will be as good as it's ever going to be. It's a big investment for us (got the bill yesterday!), but should last at least 40 years. Tarmac would have been cheaper and quicker, but not as long lasting. It's something Henry and I, and even James, will not have to worry about.

And the first vehicle to use the new surface? James - responding to a First Responders call during milking this morning.

Out to grass

At last!

A batch of bulling heifers and some dry cows turned out today

Congratulations!

Congratulations to young Robert

Making the most of the weather - part 2

Yesterday while the sun was shining and it was looking like summer was just round the corner, and Henry was busy rolling, I was not idle.

When we bought our caravan last year we fully intended to advertise and sell the old one right away. But somehow we never got round to it. And then it was winter and we reckoned nobody would be looking for a caravan. So the months went on and it sat parked next to the old cattle trailer in the Teapot Field. But yesterday I decided to make an effort. I took several photos of the interior and found a reasonable one taken earlier of the exterior. I carefully worked out a description and posted an advert on Preloved. There were hundreds of caravans, so I also put it on Gumtree. We had no real expectation of a quick sale, but an hour later the replies started to come in and the first viewing was arranged. Two hours later the caravan was towed out the yard to a new life somewhere else.

The sun is shining . . .

. . . the days are getting longer -  so there's more time for farmers to work!

But, if you have the time for a holiday, why not make it a caravan holiday! Last year we bought a new (to us ) caravan and have finally got round to advertising our old one (you know how time flies).

You can see our advert here or get in touch with us. All serious offers considered!

Making the most of the weather

At last the sun is shining and the grass is growing, so it's a rush to get all the spring work done. We've ploughed three fields and will use the same seed mix as last year - wheat and peas undersown with grass. If the weather holds out the contractors will be coming  early this week. Meanwhile Henry and James are busy picking stones (not just off the ploughing, but also a very stony pasture) and rolling. One day the ground is too hard to roll, and the next it's too soft or the grass is too long (or so it seems). It's quite a small window of opportunity, so it's no day off today, or early evening finishes.

And now that the danger of frost seems to have receded, the builder is planning to start pointing the classroom this week.

We've no stock out yet, but surely it can't be long!