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gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Sat Jun 30, 18 9:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I hope the bags make it on Monday, MR. We had 4000, Christmas Eve, and that was some weight and they were relatively small nets all on one pallet, they are going down well even now some sales!

I was only border line diabetes, when they tested me in the first place, but confirmed when I had another test. It took a year or so to get below, and I gave up all the other sugar items in life that I knew about! Once I got used to not eating so much fruit and corn flakes, it became easier on the mind. I used to have at least 3 bananas a day plus apples and yummy pears and got that down to one apple a day-doctor etc.! I do much more exercise now at a slower pace than I did so the need to get the quick fix is not needed, still have the 2 ice buns though! As a child I had condensed milk and soft brown sugar on 2 bananas-blows the mind now! I am not that fat either between 10 and 12 stones heavier in winter, eating more to keep warm, and been there for the last few years, when I was a forklift driver I was a lot heavier up to 17 stones-little or no exercise. Since I have had the holding and the job I am much slimmer, not so many of the wrong things to eat.

The chop-in didn't happen yesterday as I arrived home to the sound of a baler, baling my 5 acres of hay I need to get a man in to trim my trees as they are encroaching too much over the ground, and however much I love trees they must not be allowed to take over, The haul of bales is much less than it has been. I would dearly like to spray the weed areas, but having had no artificial anything on the place in about 20 years I am loathe to introduce such measures. I have managed to let the grazing post haymaking most years with reasonable crops the following season. My friend wouldn't come to make the hay if he didn't need it. He makes some at home but most he buys in.

I need to find a lad who can trim the trees for me-it is a young man's sport-I am past it!

I am hoping the woman tonight can fix the neck and arms-she 'ain't cheap', but I have to chop a lot of wood between now and New Year.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 18 6:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I was never allowed that much sugar Gregotyn, but did like a bit on lettuce; the stuff we had when I was a child was rather bitter, so a bit of sugar was needed. I was never a great sweet eater, although I did enjoy some.

We emptied the kiln and did 30 bags yesterday with just husband and me. We were hoping to deliver some, but thought it was too late by the time we finished. We also needed another cuppa before we packed up. Have 20 to deliver today, then rest of the day off. I need to do some gardening.

derbyshiredowser



Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 980
Location: derbyshire
PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 18 9:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Mistress Rose interesting article on charcoal maker Ben Short based in west Dorset in this August 2018 Country Living magazine ( pages 72 - 76 for W H Smith shop magazine readers ) great photos . Will we be seeing you in a future edition ?.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 18 6:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Shouldn't think so DD, but I will try to get a look at that. On the other hand, you may see our charcoal and son on TV in the winter, but I will let you know about that when it is due.

We started yesterday by delivering some more charcoal, which seems to be selling well this year.

Went on to Mottisfont Abbey. It was so hot and humid I felt quite ill, so had to come home earlier than we intended. It is known for its walled rose garden, and although they were going over a bit, it was still lovely. Humidity brought out the scent of the roses, so not all bad. They are redeveloping one of the walled gardens as a vegetable garden, so look forward to seeing that one day. I am also pleased to report that in spite of rumours of hosepipe bans elsewhere in the country, the water table in southern England is high enough to keep the 'font' which is a deep pond fed by underground springs, full and overflowing into its stream.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 18 12:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

We also are "enjoying" hot and humid summer weather, Mistress Rose. Yesterday was cooler than predicted (that's sarcasm, BTW) at only 91 degrees Fahrenheit. It was suggested it could reach 99 degrees F. And humidity has been in the 80s percent wise.

Our children gave me an extremely elaborate weather station thingy for my birthday, that checks all sorts of conditions. Temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, UV, etc etc. It will, eventually, mount on the roof so no interference with wind speed reading. Currently it is attached to a mounting pipe on a deck post while himself makes sure that all is well. A trial location for a couple of weeks is suggested in the instruction manual to ascertain all is working well. And for sure he does not want to be repeatedly climbing up on the the roof

Mistress Rose, (such an appropriate name for your Mottisfont Abbey visit) himself and I also went to a rose garden recently, for a garden group event. Soiree at Colonial Park Rose Garden

Coffee consumed, now going outside for whatever I am going to do before the weather again reaches brutal highs. We could also use some rain. Ah summer.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Tue Jul 03, 18 6:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Looks lovely Jam Lady. We also visited another rose garden a couple of weeks ago. It smelt so much that you could smell it a few hundred yards away. Both gardens had quite a lot of 'old fashioned' roses which are grown for the scent rather than long or repeated flowering. The one we went to at the weekend had several bushes of R. rugosa which is my favourite for scent, but sadly only usually one flush of flowers.

Managed a bit of work in the garden yesterday as I was under a hedge, so not too bad. We delivered some charcoal in the morning, and had a delivery of 2600 charcoal bags, so they had to be put away, but decided it was too hot to do more up there. It is less humid now, so more manageable, and they say the temperature has now peaked and will be a degree or two cooler.

There was a young robin around the shed we store the bags in. It hasn't yet got a red breast, but is still speckly. I think the robin I was seeing down the garden may have been from last year, when it was the same. They are very tame, as they seem to know me and know I won't hurt them and am a source of turned up insects when I work the garden.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Tue Jul 03, 18 11:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Yesterday's high temperature was 93 degrees Fahrenheit, which I think is something over 33 degrees C. Humid too. Himself split a cartful of firewood and stacked it. Says we are within 2 carts worth of completing next winter's firewood. Then he can start splitting for the 2019/20 firewood.

While he was doing that I put down a double layer of landscape weed barrier fabric and multiple bags of drainage rock. Himself set 15 half-height concrete blocks on which the two pallets I had treated with deck sealer will be supported. Some twiddling and shifting to get the spacing correct. Slight change of plans - clear away gravel at the front so those blocks will act as barrier to keep stone from shifting out onto driveway. Which means they are now too low. Gave up in disgust and went into the air conditioned house - like diving into a pool of cool water even though it is set to 74 degrees F. He thought about things. Came up with 3 options. After dinner and just before full dark we went out with 3 pieces of scrap Trex. Two were good, one still too low. I tried a brick - too high. Found another brick - just right. So now there is a total of two racks and two sets of two pallets (4 total) for the winter after next firewood storage.

Of course with this weather I am almost longing for winter. Not really. The moderation of weather we had earlier is my ideal. But the bananas are loving this.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Tue Jul 03, 18 2:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Up here it is hot but there is also a breeze and that is making it comfortable and of course the temperature is no where near as much as yours, Jam Lady, or yours MR.

I am spending all my spare time chopping kindling, currently at the rate of 4 to 5 nets a day average. Basically I saw one day and chop the next. I have a lot to do for stock so that there is sufficient to see me through the times when the weather is so cold I don't want to be outside cutting wood! I need about 3 farm feed bags to produce 2 boxes-5 nets-of good saleable sticks. I also have the also ran stuff which I sell too in a sack for about £3-well it starts a fire, but sometimes misshapen badly or a bit too short! I have the trimmings which I bag up into those super market vegetable or fruit little plastic bags and give to pensioners-again it starts fires-for free! I also give the bits to the librarian here, as she has been so helpful to me over the years; she is a pensioner too. And she does 2 fires every morning-a wood burning cooker and house fire place.

I hope the weather station gives better readings for the near future J.L. When it does let me know I will organise my work then for 3 weeks time, when your decent weather will have made its way across the pond.

Well I hit the "quack" lady who does the Bowen Technique. I've got to have 4 sessions she says to get me in peak condition! I will settle for the right arm recovering as well as the left arm has, as a result of her stuff on Saturday evening. There may be other places that need attention but I will settle for a strong chopping right arm again. And she can play all she likes after that, as long as I can chop wood with no hurt I am happy-doesn't take much! Roll on Saturday. The left arm is now very good indeed, but would like it to have been the right one first. I am still chopping but it hurts!

Hay all gone and I have given 11 bales away to my nice neighbours. who have fed me on the last 2 weekends, reduced my cooking skills further as she is so good!. I am off now to start the chopping again-2 boxes is the object! And later a sort out if I can find the time before sleep.

I have just been reminded that I was supposed to do a play group project on Saturday afternoon/Sunday morning, and I forgot did the wood chopping instead!-next week now if I can remember.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Jul 04, 18 5:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I don't think it has been quite that hot here Jam Lady, but certainly too warm for comfort working. Yesterday we cut and delivered a load of firewood before it got too hot, then in the afternoon filled the charcoal kiln. Husband will be going up to light it soon. All being well, it should go well and not take too long as everything is dry, although they have forecast a possible shower. Hope it doesn't arrive as all my birch is still outside.

Glad at least one arm is better Gregotyn. Hope the lady can sort the other one out for you. You are certainly getting through the kindling production. Not a thing we do as it is a lot of work for not much reward. We did it for a while, but as I am the only one who will really work at it, and I am very slow, it is not really for us at the moment. Currently we are working very hard on charcoal, but we are hoping the new kiln, which should be with us within a couple of weeks, will make life a little easier and speed things up a bit.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Jul 05, 18 3:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

It is warm here not over hot anyway-comfortable-and nothing like you Jam Lady. How his Lordship split wood in this heat even if done on a machine. The log still has to be lifted into position on the splitter's bench.

We had a hint of rain on the way home, but the decision to rain properly was abandoned by them up above who control these things. I have been on a nostalgia trip with above all the lady who is giving training to bank employees. She got my credit card going for me. But when I asked where she was from she said Ecclesfield which got us talking as my father's lot were from that village, cost me half an hour! This why I didn't get to the library till now, normally in around 1.30 if I am not shopping.

I hope the kiln firing has gone well. I would be inclined to get the birch in as it could well turn very wet at this end and here in Wales we like to share.

Unfortunately the good arm is now the left arm, and the chopping arm is the bad, right arm and I am chopping tonight as I sawed timber last night, and so all chopping tonight. well I will do a couple of hours. A friend said it is not enough reward for my time, but my reply is that I enjoy chopping wood and any financial reward is a bonus. You don't make a lot of money chopping kindling. I am looking forward to the manipulation on Saturday evening to the other arm and hoping the same effect occurs. A full report on Tuesday next week.

I will be taking the trailer for more wood on Sunday morning, hoping for more sunny weather. It is looking black here now and I see a girl has just taken her baby out of the perambulator and it looks a bit dark over Bill's mothers. Going to rain and the girl is going to get wet!

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Thu Jul 05, 18 8:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Gregotyn, under these weather conditions by the time Himself comes indoors after splitting and stacking a cart of firewood his shirt is so sopping wet it looks like he has been showering while wearing it. But - trumpets and hautbois - yesterday's efforts mean we now have sufficient wood cut, split, stacked for the winter. All ash. Three cords. All done.

With the really large pieces of ash he was using sledge and wedge to split them in half. Which could then be lifted up onto the log splitter.

He is taking today off. Then needs to - day by day - move black walnut and hickory and a very small amount of ash up to the pallet storage areas, cut to stove length, then split. It will be for winter of 2019 / 2020.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Fri Jul 06, 18 6:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The kiln went quickly, so finished during pretty well 'working hours' so I didn't have to go up at all. Son helped to shut it down, but it was so long since he did it that he had to ask how. Hoping it is a good yield, as I half of it is spoken for already, if not more.

Still hot here, but I think the horse flies are diminishing a little bit, although I am glad to say the butterflies aren't. We saw a white admiral the other day.

One reason we don't do kindling is because there is so little reward for the effort. If you enjoy it, fine, but you do seem to do rather a lot. Hope you find a machine to help you soon.

Jam Lord seems to have made good progress if he has enough wood for the winter Jam Lady. We have a large splitter to split the logs in half as using wedges and sledge hammer is fine for one or two, but not so good when you have a lot of large timber. It means we can take larger logs than most people can I am glad to say. The black walnut here would be considered as carving wood, as it isn't that common and rather expensive. Still, different country, different timbers.

Yesterday was a mixed bag. I did 15 log sacks for an order, while husband and son cut and delivered 2 loads of firewood and cut another load for delivery today. One of yesterday's orders also wanted 5 bags of charcoal, so we bagged them, and they went out too. Also 2 bags of sawdust to deliver next week to the farm shop with their charcoal for smoking bacon. I buy my bacon from there, so can assure all that it makes a good product.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Fri Jul 06, 18 12:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Mistress Rose, as far as the black walnut goes we have offered pieces but had no takers so gave up. There used to be a woodworkers store that sold all sorts of lathes and cutting bits and bobs and tools etc. Long gone now but that's beside the point. We had a large black walnut come down, went to the shop specifically to ask if any of their customers might want some wood. No joy.

This year, a neighbor's son is in high school (later teenage years.) He is "interested in wood working" with some shop class encouraging him. Told neighbor that if he wanted something to come over and he and Himself could look at what was there and he could have a piece. And perhaps he'd like to see the fireplace surround that Himself had made. Nothing, nothing. Saw the neighbor's son on the street walking their dog. Called him over, told him about black walnut, fireplace surround, etc. Oh yes, sounded interesting, he'd get back to us. That was maybe a month and a half ago, or longer.

No interest in begging him to take it. Black walnut burns very well. Sad, because as you say it is beautiful wood. But it is what it is. And we still have a basement full of the lumber that was made out of the big black walnut that came down some time ago.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Fri Jul 06, 18 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The wetness doesn't surprise me, Jam Lady, I get wet chopping kindling in this weather, but comfortably warm in winter, except the hands and I have to use gloves occasionally, not really recommended, even in the cold weather, but not to worry I cope. He has done well to complete the task so early. My ash tree to come down for this winter is not yet felled, but as ash burns when fresh I can almost cut and feed it piece by piece as I need it! Most winters I don't do a fire as I am home to chop wood and then get some tea and go to bed with a couple of hot water bottles and a crossword/Sudoku.
What a shame the lad didn't take up your wood offer, JL., I would have jumped at such a chance when I was young-we all say "modern youth today", but it seems true in many cases unfortunately.

I take it the 'firing', MR, is in the 'new improved mobile' kiln. That is very good if that 'did' within an 8 hour day.

Off to get the chopping block out. I'm going to make a new improved version asap. Should be ready by next year.
The horse flies are coming north west, and we seem to have an attack I have not seen before; almost like hundreds of them, Chinese into battle, and they seem to be here with me at my home. I have killed a lot but have missed some too and been bitten well. Tomorrow am. I am going to fetch a new gate post to replace the one that was "killed" by my friend leaving with a load of hay. Another friend is going to put it in for me, he is older than me and so more experienced in these matters and has more time on his hands than I have! Well if he wants to dig a 3ft6in. hole ok by me! He has volunteered! honest! He doesn't work now, a bit older than me, and much fitter, as an ex hill farmer.

I understand why you don't do kindling, MR., it is time consuming and there are a lot doing it so there is competition and by hand it is slow. I do it because I enjoy it getting the most out of the pallets that I can from something that would normally be taken to a tip and probably burned en mass, or buried. I have a new source of wood now-where I used to work about 10 years ago-for 22 years. I saw my old boss and he told me to go along and see the maintenance man who would point me in the right direction! Much better chopping from there, straighter grained wood imported from Scandinavia.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sat Jul 07, 18 6:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

It is always difficult getting the right wood to the right people Jam Lady. Our coppice group has had a request for someone for wood for carving, but not sure he will get any as he doesn't mention paying for it and is only after certain woods, some of which are very rare. Don't think he has thought about it much.

As you say Gregotyn, ash will burn virtually from standing, although some years we find the sap doesn't go down well here if it is very mild.

The firing is in the ring kiln; it was pretty full and the yield was good, so it must be because the weather has been dry and the wood to go in it was sitting in the sun baking for a few days before loading. It all helps to get rid of any moisture in the wood which doesn't have to be dried out by using part of the load.

We are hoping to get some 'waste' wood for firing the new kiln, as that has an external fire to start it going. The idea is that you load the 'firing' wood into the inner cylinder, then light a fire under it using 'waste', old pallets, softwood offcuts etc. until the 'firing' wood starts to give off enough wood gas to heat itself. It then keeps going until all the wood gas is used up, heating more wood which gives of gas etc.

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