Sunday 20 July 2008

Committed

Well, at this very moment the hay fields are being cut. Five days without rain are being forecast, but whether that'll hold true, who knows? But waiting for the possibility of another clump of wet-free opportunities is a chance that cannot be taken. So in a few days, all being well, I will be humping small bales onto trailers, off trailers, into the Dutch barn and crossing all digits that any rogue precipitation is short and mild. If things don't go so well on the rain front it'll be wrapped into large bales for haylage, which the sheep don't really like. Apart from lambing, this is the most worrisome time of the year.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good luck with the weather! I hope it stays dry for you!

Can I ask - do you know why some farmers cut a swathe around the edge of the hayfield and let it lie for a week or so before cutting the rest? One farmer locally does this every single year - often the strip is baled before the rest is cut!

Lindsay said...

I think the weather is set fair.

Mopsa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mopsa said...

Jay - if folks aren't sure about the weather they might do the headland first as it can be done and dusted without disrupting the rest of the grass. It also makes the rest of the field easier to mow, turn etc when the headland is clear; you don't keep running over the headland crop.

KAZ said...

I'll never moan about the weather again Mopsa. I'll just remember to take an umbrella and shut up....
Unless it's really cold of course - or too hot or there's that annoying little wind that gets between your ribs....

Anonymous said...

I thought you might have...I cut on Saturday afternoon. The breeze is a good drying one even though not forecast for today.
Good luck - see you for celebratory jug of cider and harvest feast when it's all over!

Mopsa said...

Kaz - do you have gaps between your ribs for the wind to get through? I thought that was the sole domain of junior doctors' skeletons.

It's all nail biting and stomach nerves down in the valley, Paula! I hate not being certain of the weather at this time - and now the Beeb have Thursday as light showers!

Anonymous said...

Ah - that makes sense! Thank you!

The headland is clear now, and the hay is cut and drying in the middle today! :)

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Thinking of you! What a beautiful, English scene.

Mopsa said...

Could do with some Sicily sunshine please Welshcakes!

Flowerpot said...

Fingers crossed Mopsa. Weather forecast is good here for the next few days.