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... the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves ...
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gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Fri Mar 16, 18 3:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I think the lorry must have moved the tree as it was some girth-about a foot diameter at the mid point I guess. I would be looking at around 50 feet of tree total-in the garden and across the road, so quite large for silver birch, which I think are fairly shallow rooted anyway. The guide was always as much in the ground as above for hardwoods, but you don't know how much soil there is around here and the garden was rising steeply, so probably rocky.

I have seen very few wild flowers about, apart from the snowdrops, which were very prolific this year, blackthorn will not have stirred yet-there have been years when you have fruits coming before we have thought of flowering.
There will be plenty more logs to be done, MR, as it is Easter soon and doesn't look like getting much warmer anytime soon. Our forecast for the weather is much the same as yours, cold this weekend, with or without snow, but expected. I will be processing more of my in store stock wood, stuff I have kept for years in case it "comes in", well it has all been there for long enough and it has got to go, however much it is good stuff it is occupying room and I need to get organised. The more I can cut now is less pressure later on. And, as a one man band it is important that I cut and sell as much as I can. I find I am chopping with less ardour than I used called age! I try to cut as many blanks as I can; they are much easier to store than chopped wood. It is I find one of those laws that are annoying, that people come round and tell me I am in a mess, and do something about it! But how often they also call to ask for a bit of wood that I have kept in case! I am getting wiser with age. I cut and chopped about 6 nets yesterday and am at last getting some stock. I will do a bit when I get home, a couple of feed bags of blanks will be a start for tomorrow afternoon-or is there rugby? All stops for me when rugby is on and I go to a neighbour's house. We also have a project on to build a mud kitchen for her play group. I made it last weekend, she will do the finishing tomorrow and paint it next week. then install. for the children to play in/on/with-all will be applicable no doubt.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sat Mar 17, 18 7:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Yesterday morning we were officially clear of orders for log nets. I phoned up one of our outlets about something else yesterday morning and they ordered 20 for the end of next week, and another phoned son yesterday and asked for as many as possible as soon as possible. Luckily we had anticipated that one and had started on them. Husband and I went back up to the woods yesterday late afternoon and finished them, so they will go out.

The cold weather has struck by the look of it, and we may get some more snow. The clouds certainly look a bit that way anyway. The worst should be a bit further north, but we will see.

Yesterday was a lovely spring day; we certainly get a bit of variety here.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Sat Mar 17, 18 10:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

We had a little snow this morning but very little, with frost as well, so the wipers were stuck to the windscreen, but no sign of that snow now. I delivered 10 nets of kindling this morning, they sold 6 yesterday so I will be down again tomorrow morning to check. I don't mind doing more trips, but would prefer to go once a week with a dollop rather than bits and drabs. Not too bad as I pass every day, but they are closed in the morning when I go, so I have the load on for the afternoon and that leaves little room for stock, un-sawn timber to make the product, which comes from work.

I have been invited away for Easter to my Bridgnorth friends, so that should tidy up the annual holiday as it is this side of the company holiday period, so I may be able to use all of my holiday quota. Here you use it or loose it. And I have never yet been able to use it all. I am better off working-I work for 6 hours a day, my holiday pay is 4 hours. This better than nothing!

It appears there is a rugby event this afternoon where England need to regain a bit of pride-but I doubt it. I have had some serious ribbing from a friend, Rob Williams, who is an ardent Welsh and all other rugby teams supporter, except you have guessed it-England. I give him as good as he gives me, but he has the upper hand this season! I am hoping the Irish will take pity......

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sun Mar 18, 18 7:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

We delivered our log sacks yesterday morning before the snow started, but we came home through it. Other odd jobs were accompanied by heavy snow with the wind behind it. It didn't settle for a while, but when it did everything was icy. Luckily that didn't last long and today we have about 1-2" of sticky snow, so looking pretty on the trees.

Now have about 50 more log sacks on order, so my future is fixed this week.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Sun Mar 18, 18 2:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Yesterday was delightful. First was a visit to Howell Living History Farm for visits from the horse doctor, dentist, farrier.

Saw Jesse, a Belgian Thoroughbred cross get his rabies shot, was one of the "children" invited up to listen to his heartbeat, watched as his teeth were floated, and he was re-shod.

For the shoeing he was moved out of the stable to another building where we could more easily watch. He's used to being shod in the stable and this made Jesse very nervous - he kept putting his foot down, leaned over onto the farrier, had a nervous shiver in his hindquarter. Moved back into the stable and he was much calmer.

There were a flock of English sparrows pecking for grain in the manure. And a very newborn-that-morning lamb with its mother, who was making the most marvelous gentle, almost cooing noises to it. Also people cutting logs to firewood length with a two-person buck saw, and splitting by hand. But I suspect during the week when there are no visitors they might just be using a log splitter.

Then in the evening we went to The Ship Inn with our friends from down the street. Two other friends were there playing Irish folk tunes, it being St Patrick's Day. Numerous people wearing green (us included.) A few in kilts. Some more extreme costumes. But I think we do more for St Patrick's Day than you do over across the pond.

Anyhow, a very good day. And lots of material for website entries.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 18 7:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The Farm sounds interesting Jam Lady. Husband's great uncle was a farrier with the army and he told us about when he was an apprentice. He was allowed to go home for Sunday, but had to be in to light the forge for Monday, so walked about 10 miles and had to be there for something like 6am to make sure the forge was ready for the day's work. I only knew him in later life when he had become very well spoken, but still used 'translations' of Devon terms such as 'mind you' instead of 'mind 'ee'.

In England St. Patrick's Day is celebrated more for a bit of a knees up or not at all. He is the Patron Saint of Ireland, so not really anything to do with us as we have not any links with Ireland. I am sure the Irish Club had a celebration over the weekend though.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Mon Mar 19, 18 1:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Interesting indeed Mistress Rose. Didn't appreciate you'd want to see them.

See the links here:
Horse Doctor, Dentist, and Farrier at Howell Living History Farm

and
Green for St Patrick's Day

Cold last night, down to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. But warming up nicely with the sunshine. Still made a fire in the stove to take the chill off. Going to Asian market with my friend, after which we'll go out to lunch. Another interesting, pleasant day.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 18 6:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Interested in the Horse article Jam Lady. In great uncle's time, the village blacksmith would shoe horses, mend and make farm implements and do all the other iron work round the village. Today we are like you in the UK; the farrier specialises is horses and horseshoes, and the blacksmith does everything else, often decorative these days. There was a blacksmith attached to the next coppice group to us who specialised in making tools. The ones we saw most often were for green woodworking of course.

I have used one of those saws. They aren't too bad if you have the right technique, and I still split some of the logs I bag using an axe. Again not too bad if you have the technique. I can usually manage ash without too much trouble, but beech is sometimes too much for me.

Still snow here, but warming up. Husband and son went up to the woods for a short time yesterday, but couldn't really do anything as it was too dangerous to walk in the coppice where they were working as couldn't see anything underfoot. They knocked some snow off the log store, but gave up after a while as it was too cold. I baked biscuits, so day not completely wasted. Still snow on the ground, but supposed to warm up during the day, so a lot should melt before freezing again in the night.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 18 4:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I too had some family with horses years ago. My Grandmother on mother's side of the family had a bakers and a coal yard. Granny, one of 7, used to have to load the wagons with bread or coal with the rest of her siblings, before school. My Father used to milk cows on his way to school for his aunt and on his way back after school. The aunt used to deliver the milk round the village with a horse and cart where they lived, in Ecclesfield, part of Sheffield now, but was independent as a small village when the family were there-all deceased now from that line up there, I think. I still have the measures Great Aunt Sarah used for the milk.

We had the snow too! lots of it, but not as bad as the previous week. we got out eventually as the roads were gritted and as stalwarts used the road it got better. I don't want to speak too soon or too loud, but I am starting to catch up with the firewood to where I would like to be, some stock! I have about 20 nets and am doing a net a day' in cutting and chopping then net them at the end of the week ready for the next snow onslaught if it comes. I try to do more at the weekend to add to the pile.

We are in the lambing season here right now. I know who is at it by the lights that are on round the hills. Most leave the lights on all night. The reason being that it is one lamb saved if you don't have to feel for the light switch!

I own and have used a 2 man saw once and not in anger, and found it hard work. Though I was a young lad then about 10, so probably too young for the job in reality. I wouldn't attempt the job now!.

I hope all going well for Cassandra. I guess she is fighting her corner. I hope to say to one of my friends when he comes over from Aus. in May-"A friend in Tasmania has got into the parliament." I suspect he is hard right, but I don't know for sure.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Mar 21, 18 8:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I haven't seen any advertising stuff from Cassandra, but I think she is using a different FB page for that, that I am not on, so have only been seeing her more personal stuff. I will try to have a look. She would certainly bring a bit of common sense to the chamber.

I think lambing is going on here too, but we are not really involved so only know by the lambs I see in the fields. Think they have been going here for a month or two, but some lamb inside in January I think, and others leave it until April. We get the first lamb at the butchers from about April, so I think that means January lambing from what they tell me.

Were able to get out into the woods yesterday, so husband and son did quite a lot. I went up with lunch, but there was nothing I could do, so I went shopping a day early. I took some sawdust with me, but had to scrape the remains of the snow off it before digging it out; still about 1" left. Today think it is a combination of log sacks and firing charcoal, so plenty to do, while husband and son produce logs for the nets and a firewood load.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Thu Mar 22, 18 6:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Hi there - sorry - between using the new computer, forgetting my log in to here so being unable to do so from that beast, and generally being in lock down with gales, cold weather and political busy-ness I have been remiss.

Yes, MR - I have a candidate page. It's in my name so all you have to do is a FB search and you will find it. I have been busy tracking down local news outlets on which to advertise, finding local community FB notice boards to follow to find out what is going on elsewhere, ordering printed material (and discovering that the wonderful artwork my friend made for me is pretty useless for anything but the business cards and window posters because the background is too busy), designing new printed material, liaising with people and drafting responses to the inevitable trolls who will pop up on my page now the major parties have announced candidates (some of whom work for people I have myself trolled in the past, haha) and so am as prepared as I can be I guess. There are candidates popping up in all directions but that was expected due to the vacancy of the seat, and one can but hope that this will also redistribute the knockers. Still. One can but try.

Meanwhile Poppet is taking over the universe, the doona (duvet) is back on the bed after a prolonged absence, and I am toasty warm, if bereft of a kettle, which blew up the other morning. But my local permanent 'garage sale' person is looking one up for me so I should be able to boil water again soon. Meanwhile I have the stove-top model to be getting on with.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Thu Mar 22, 18 7:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Glad things are going well on the candidate front Cassandra. It is hard to get artwork that works for everything, so glad you have that sorted now. I expect you are very busy with it all; it certainly sounds it.

From the pictures you have posted on FB of Poppet, she certainly seems to have you all under control! She looks a lovely little thing though, but I suppose if she survived as a feral for a while, she has to be a pretty strong character.

We are in the midst of log loads, log sacks, charcoal and the last of the copping now. I did 25 log sacks yesterday, and have another 35 to do. We ran the little retort kiln yesterday; not brilliant, but the wood was wet as the snow got in everywhere. Hoping we get 5-8 bags out, but I suspect it will be nearer 5. Will have to run it again and with what we have in store, will distribute that between 2 outlets who want some for Easter. Cold weather is forecast again I believe, but there is bound to be some hardy soul (idiot) who insists they must have a barbecue at Easter.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Thu Mar 22, 18 12:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Wednesday morning at 8:25 a.m. there was 2 inches showing on the snow gauge. By 11:00 p.m. it was showing 11 inches. Dave came by at 6:00 a.m. this morning and plowed the driveway. Breakfast, and then shoveling to clear the front walk, cars. tidy the edges. There were 10,000 people or more who lost power but not us this time.


gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Mar 22, 18 3:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Things seem to be going along Cassandra for you, and I hope all comes up as you want, but you must go for it again if you don't get there this time, and be ready all the time to "go" if you need to. Stealing a march on the opposition at all times is important, even if you are not in the driving seat at that time! Scoring points makes prizes.

I am surprised that you are still using FB with all the hoohaa that is going on about it in the news. I went on the we were river cottage when it started but couldn't understand how it worked so I left soon. I don't know if that is still going? Here has a wealth of information well worth tapping into.

Lucky we have not had the depth of snow that you have Jam Lady. It is sheep to the fore up here in the hills. We are well on with lambing up here now with the indoor flocks, judging by the number of lambs on the ground they have been going for some time as there are lots of ewes and lambs out grazing too. I know there are quite a few lambing now judging by the lights on the surrounding hills that I see in the morning as I go out to work around 4.30 to 5am. These lights are where there would normally be darkness.
It is surprising how much grazing there is after such a longwinded even if not too cold winter. The late snows have slowed things up, but you don't know what is coming when you turn the tups out in autumn!- I suspect a few would have delayed the tups going out for a week or so if they knew how the weather would be. Spectacular hindsight-if only; we would all be millionaires.

Glad you are able to get on your land in the woods MR, I am snookered now till it dries up. I am hoping the neighbour is going to dig some drains out with his digger later this season and see if we can get my grass growing earlier, or at least access to the grass if only to add manure, to get early bite for the horses. The one customer is keen to come early, but now is too early. The land cut up when I drove the tractor on it, and we have had 'weather' since then.

I have bought a new alarm clock, the other having died well it went on a go slow and was not alarming me in the morning as needed. I have spent £10 on a clock radio with battery backup-2xAA, in stock at home, and will be testing it out tonight. I don't normally need an alarm but have done so this last day or so. I am normally such a creature of habit that I wake at the same time, but today it was well after 6 when I arrived at work; that is still early, but I like my cup of coffee when I get there etc-and today I didn't get my etc I just had to get on with it. I had so much to do today that I was late leaving too well after 1.00 (1300), so not a happy bunny. The story is that an hour before 6am is worth 2 hours after 10. It is for me as there are no interruptions for me from 6am to 8am.; nobody pestering me!

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Fri Mar 23, 18 7:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

That is a good snowfall again Jam Lady. Glad you still have power this time anyway. Hope it goes soon so you can get on with spring.

The mud was drying slightly yesterday in the woods, but we had rain in the night, so back to square one I suspect.

I never found We were river cottage Gregotyn, so couldn't get on it. Still, I am on several other sites on FB, including a couple from my old school. Interesting to see what and where people have ended up. The are certainly in Aus, the US and all over the UK.

Sounds about time you got a new alarm clock Gregotyn. Nothing worse than having to start work without coffee and a few minutes to yourself which I assume is your etc.

We had a bothersome day yesterday, but managed to get most of the work done. The wind had blown into the little charcoal kiln, so it was still warm yesterday. This probably means we have lost some charcoal, so won't get too much out. A stick got completely stuck in the wheel of the forwarder, so the wheel had to be loosened off to get it out, and DIL, to avoid being hit by the lift door closing on her at work, tried to move too fast out the way and fell, hitting her head on the control panel. She went to A&E and is all right, but feeling rather battered. Son had to go early to pick her up from work. We are not sure if he will be able to come in today, so will have to work accordingly. Luckily the weather stayed dry and mainly sunny, which helped a bit. I filled 35 more log sacks, and husband and I delivered 30, with the 25 I did the previous day, we have 30 more to go out today plus 3 firewood loads if son comes in.

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