Tuesday 1 July 2014

Haymaking.

The process of haymaking continues and the weather has so far this week been perfect for it - bright sunshine and a gentle breeze - and not too hot.

The farmer's favourite activity got off to a good start.  He always begins with his own crop (he only makes one field into hay, the rest is silaged) but now that the heavy grass crop is cut he finds that it is very wet underneath.  This is because there is a heavy crop of grass on the field and we had some very wet weather earlier in the year which has made it difficult to dry out.

So it is going to take longer than he anticipated to get it baled up.   Twice today he has tossed the hay - and as I write this he is out shaking it up again.   The top is dry and crisp but underneath it is green and damp.   Let's just hope that the weather holds out for another day or two.  Several people are waiting for him to begin on their fields, so there is plenty to do.

Have you noticed that the instant the tractor starts up, a seagull appears?  They are such opportunistic birds and they appear from absolutely nowhere.   By the time I took the photograph  here, one had flown in and by the time I came out of the gate there were half a dozen - all with their beady eyes fixed on the ground looking for anything eatable the shaker turned up.

Keep your fingers crossed for more fine weather please - both for our own field and then for the fields of various friends who are patiently waiting in the wings.




10 comments:

Rachel Phillips said...

P watched some of his float off down the field on Sunday. But this always happens to him. I tell him to take more notice of the weather forecast but he never listens. It has been sunny and hot today so I expect he has been turning it for the third time.

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Acornmoon said...

The weather has been very kind to us so far, fingers crossed that all will go well with your haymaking.

Heather said...

My fingers are crossed for the farmer and his friends. I can almost smell that lovely smell of fresh hay.

Terry and Linda said...

Shall do! I so understand that desperate need to have dryng weather!!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

angryparsnip said...

I wish you dry weather and for us to get some rain !

cheers, parsnip

Cloudia said...

Got my fingers crossed for you. Interesting as always




ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= <3

Cro Magnon said...

I see you have some Krishna spam.

When the hay is baled here, I often see Foxes scouring the ground for bits of chopped creatures. I hope the weather stays good for you, it's been a bit iffy here; hot but cloudy.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

All fingers firmly crossed.

Em Parkinson said...

Everything crossed for you Pat! I had the Krishna spam too - looks like they're reading all our blog lists.