Home Page
   Articles
       links
About Us    
Traders        
Recipes            
Latest Articles
... the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves ...
Page Previous  1, 2, 3 ... 293, 294, 295 ... 423, 424, 425  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Grow Your Own
Author 
 Message
dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45376
Location: yes
PostPosted: Fri Nov 24, 17 6:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

re tractor tech history gt uncle wilby got the first tractor+haymaking and frontloader kit in 1964 for a yorkshire hill farm.
i will check but chances are his grand daughter still has it

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sat Nov 25, 17 8:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The tractor wouldn't have been a novelty by then I wouldn't think Dpack, but the rest of it probably would have been in that part of the world. Must have been quite small kit to work on a hill farm I would think. Be interested to hear what it is and if it is still around.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Mon Nov 27, 17 8:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Saturday we went to an Association of Pole Lathe Turners meeting where we did tool sharpening and had a chat with some other members. Held in a building in a garden used to teach special needs people gardening, which was rather nice place. Yesterday evening I managed to ply up the first hank of the latest stuff I am spinning; dyed tops in a colour combination called 'blaze' which is a nice rust sort of colour. Merino and silk, so probably originates in Cassandras part of the world as we don't have Merino sheep in the UK.

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Mon Nov 27, 17 9:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

How thoughtful of you to think of me, Mistress Rose. We took the train on Wednesday, a 5 1/2 hour ride from Trenton NJ to Massachusetts. Mr Jam Lord's sister got the same train in New York City so we had a lovely time traveling together.

Sixteen people for the festive meal. Two tables covered with delicious food - roast turkey, dressing, roasted winter vegetables, sweet potato and pecan casserole, not-from-a-can green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, a winter salad of kale, radicchio, Brussels sprouts, and craisins, freshly baked rolls. For dessert - pecan pie, pumpkin pie, apple pie, fruitcake.

One day we took the dog and walked around a cranberry bog.



Twice, we went to the beach.





Lots of time to schmooze and socialize and have a wonderful time visiting people we do not often see.

Got the very crowded train home on Sunday. And today I did a very small shopping, three loads of laundry, and raked leaves.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 17 8:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Sounds as if you had a good time and a huge Thanksgiving meal. If it takes you 51/2 hours on the train you must be quite a way from the sea. It is difficult for us in the UK to remember things like that. Although I rarely go to the sea when I am at home, we can see it from just outside our house about 10 miles or so away.

Had a productive day yesterday making 3 besoms for an order, and filling 14 log nets towards another one. We have 120 log nets on order now of which I have done 64, so should keep me busy.

derbyshiredowser



Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 980
Location: derbyshire
PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 17 9:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

We live 10 miles away from the point in the country that is the furthest from the sea, it takes us at least 2 1/2 hours to get to the sea. Its a real treat for us and the dogs as we love beaches. The only advantage of being in the middle is that we can go to either the east or west coast. In September it took us 6 hours to drive from Southwold to Derby but again it was beautiful and the dogs loved it.

gz



Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8577
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 17 11:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Good to be together as family,Jam Lady.
We're all so spread out nowadays

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 17 2:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The Northeast Corridor train for Amtrak starts its run at Washington D.C. Goes through a bit of Maryland, then across Pennsylvania into New Jersey. We got aboard in Trenton, New Jersey. The train continues from New Jersey into New York (with a stop at Penn Station where Mr Jam Lord's sister boarded the train.) Crosses the East River on Hell's Gate Bridge. Continues through Connecticut, then Rhode Island, and into Massachusetts, ending in Boston. We got off at the Rte 128 station, before Boston.

Massachusetts is northeast of New Jersey.

Some "local / regional" trains use the same tracks for shorter runs. There is also the Acela trains - D.C. to Boston and back - faster (and more expensive) than Amtrak.

From our house to our son's house is about 310 miles. If we drive it is still 5 1/2 hours if weather & traffic conditions are good. BUT - traffic on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is always congested. Plus, it was raining last Wednesday. Very nice to sit in the comfortable seats, look out the windows at the passing scenery. There is a cafe car which we tried on the way home - not much choice, poor quality, over priced. Next time we'll bring a picnic, as we did for the ride to Massachusetts.


gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 17 3:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Love the dog Jam Lady. There is a sort of 'look at me, I have got it' smile on the face. Reminds me of my old dog 'Sue', named after a former girlfriend.

I went away to a Christening; the friends in Bridgnorth have 2 children and the son's wife has got her second. The Service was awful, couldn't hear anything due to children doing what they do best, including running round the Church and shouting-I wouldn't have got away with that even at 2. I would have been kept quiet. The vicar/deacon, a lady,
couldn't be heard over the noise and didn't seem to be in charge. Happily we went fairly early-got the snacks out of the way, my 2 friends and I went to a pub, The Down, not far from Bridgnorth, for a peaceful meal proper if you know what I mean, peace and quiet. There were I am told about 80 people there at the do. I always thought that Christenings were a family affair, with very close friends only, but I know nothing about how today functions. I got a suitable outfit. It appears that Christenings are not as formal as they were when I was a young man.

I got nearly home yesterday, only to get a phone call to say I had left my boots there, and they were on their way to bring them to me, I said no need, I have more than one pair of boots, but to no avail they insisted, and as I was in Welshpool, I met them there. I could have gone back next weekend-to say sorry for leaving them there, at about 12.30pm just in time for lunch!

I think the Australian farm had more than one set of horses and combines, MR. It was thousands of acres where the old boy worked. The combines used to travel as a "set", safety in numbers I guess the reason for that. Corn was picked up in bags, by even more horses and carts. They would have travelled quite quickly as there were not the yields then that are achieved today. When I was a farm pupil, we got 2 tons to the acre of wheat and !.5 tons of barley in the mid 60's. We also had a large brick built automatic corn drier. Modern for the time, but not anywhere near today's yields.

Thank you for the tip about rehoming the bats, MR. I will pass the message on to the friend and see what he has been told. I suppose if he can move them, it would be a help. To be able to move them to another part of the barn not intended for human use. That would keep them at home so to speak. It appears that as the owner and planning applicant that a 2 night bat vigil will cost him £500. I wish I could stay up all night and earn that every day for a living 2 days a week would be good money for me!

I have been for a new pair of glasses, over £600 for vary focal just hope they are worth it.
I sold my first lot of logs last week. Not in nets but a trailer full so my net count is still in tact!

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Tue Nov 28, 17 8:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Gregotyn, Zoe is a deliberate cross between a blond Labrador and a golden retriever. Very nice dog.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Nov 29, 17 7:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Sounds as if the train was the best option for that journey Jam Lady. We usually use the train if we are going to London, or perhaps Brighton. London is only about 60 miles away, but far quicker to go by train and then tube (underground train) or walk. Brighton is pretty awful for driving too, so prefer to go by train and walk there too. The overall distance that train travels is amazing; they must have at least two lots of crew I would think.

Glad you had a reasonable time Gregotyn. I was never allowed to run around in church either, but it seems it is allowed for children these days, and I suppose at a family service it stops them getting bored. Less chance of them regarding church as somewhere you 'can't' I suppose, so more likely to continue going as they grow up.

We are rather busy with log sacks at the moment. Husband and son delivered 20 yesterday, and we have 100 on order. Will be delivering 50 at the end of the week, and 50 more next week. I still have 42 of the second 50 to fill, but should manage that in a couple of days at the most if I have the wood. Today I have 3 besoms and 4 bags of sawdust to deliver, which is going to be interesting to get in the car. Luckily it is an estate, so I can let the back seats down if I need to, but will still be interesting to keep the sawdust secure. I made the besoms on Monday and they aren't bad. Have enough birch for a few more heads, but have to harvest some more this winter.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 17 8:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Husband and son managed to get the besoms and the sawdust into the car without putting down the seats, but it was a bit tricky getting the besoms, which luckily had to be delivered first, out as they wedged themselves. Anyway customer loved them, so that is good. The sawdust will go towards making the smoked gammons for Christmas, so all go there too. They want 4 more bags next week too.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 17 3:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You are going to be extra busy MR, with Christmas on top of us now and a lot to do. I guess you get paid in gammon! Is the softwood sawdust that comes off a normal crosscut saw suitable for the smoking process? I get quite a lot at this time of the year from the pallet wood I cut up for kindling it is good dry stuff. Up to now I take it to work for a friend, to use on his mechanicing spillages, but would be happy to advertise it if it is the right stuff. I don't do very much with hardwood, and would not get enough to warrant attempting to sell any.
I think your theory about Church is right, MR, that if you make Church a happy place then the next generation will possibly attend and i suppose you are always going to get a load of children at these dos in any event.

My old labrador was a yellow one all through, Jam Lady, with the smooth coat. She had the same type of head and smile that Zoe has too. A lovely quiet old dog she was till it came to children and she hated them! I wanted her for the gun, but she didn't take to that in any way. She died before her mother did, from an internal lump-the vet didn't know what, but it was there.
I think I would do my travelling by rail if in the USA. I am not that keen on flying. I have done the San Francisco and Los Angeles area many years ago with my now ex-wife; she loved it-I didn't like the flying-so much that she now has a house in LA with her partner for 6 months of the year. Unlike me she is very rich!

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Fri Dec 01, 17 2:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Have had a lovely time catching up on all your doings - sorry I have been missing in action - between hot weather, thunderstorms of a tropical intensity, more hot weather and now heading to 13 tomorrow it is all a bit of a muddle. My medical dramas will be sorted on Wednesday when I go under the knife, but otherwise all is well.

I am anticipating going to pick up a fleece fresh from the sheep this afternoon as I spotted a farmer doing shearing and he has some coloured fleeces.

The weather here is breaking quite a few records -the ocean temperatures in the Tasman are warmer than usual with the result a low is sitting there and not moving anywhere. So all our usual weather is getting stalled - the usual three hot days of Spring became about ten days - the rain event was here for three days, then it was hot again (30 yesterday) and tomorrow it will be 13. It is all a bit confusing. But what with the hot weather and the rain, and the week of cooler wet weather we have to look forward to, I have planted some veges in the hope of getting some food on the table. And the apricot tree is positively laden, so hopefully, barring major wind events, I will have my first crop. Since it was planted 8 years ago, it's about time, but still rather exciting.

That fence you showed JL, is what we call a Depression fence - there were a lot of them built in the Blue Mountains by people who were Sundowning (going from place to place to work in exchange for food and shelter). I have always been attracted to them but can't for the life of me work out how one person would be able to build on. One wire I can see how you would do it - three strands would defeat me.

Gregotyn, softwoods (I presume you mean pines etc) are not suitable for smoking food as the resin makes it nasty.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Fri Dec 01, 17 8:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Agree with Cassandra, you can't smoke with soft wood dust. Sadly we don't get paid in gammon, but I do get a very small amount for each bag of sawdust we provide. Not going to make our fortunes, but a few extra pounds from a side product is always useful. Afraid the best use for your sawdust is for absorbing spills and then burning. It might be easier than hard wood to compress to make pellets, but you would need some kind of press for that. A possible use for it though.

Cassandra those fences are made using at the very least a frame, and usually a type of simple machine. There are three reels of wire held at one end in a clamp, the right distance apart, they are all twisted about 3 times then a length of wood, wire twist, wood twist to the end. I have seen a machine that puts the twist in and the wood we use here is split sweet chestnut. They are very durable made of that and if made well can be quite ornamental.

Your weather sounds really difficult. Ours has decided to turn the other way, and although we are promised milder weather by the end of the week, yesterday, with a cold wind, some ice over water in a bucket refroze during the day, although the actual temperature was just above freezing. I was warm enough working, but had to remember to wear gloves otherwise, which is a thing I rarely do.

Hope your operation goes well and that everything is all right. Has a biopsy been done to show it is benign?

Did some more log bags yesterday and am waiting for husband and son to cut me some more wood. I only have 24 to go now to complete the second order for 50, and they should be delivering the first 50 today. That is 70 delivered in a week, which isn't bad.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Grow Your Own All times are GMT
Page Previous  1, 2, 3 ... 293, 294, 295 ... 423, 424, 425  Next
Page 294 of 425
View Latest Posts View Latest Posts

 

Archive
Powered by php-BB © 2001, 2005 php-BB Group
Style by marsjupiter.com, released under GNU (GNU/GPL) license.
Copyright © 2004 marsjupiter.com