sandersj89 Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 As some of you know I am from farming background and at present forsaking my desk job for a 2 week break to allow my parents to get away as it is so hard as a farmer to take a holiday. We often do this and my wife and kids love it, a change is as good as a break and I really enjoy running the place for a while, one of the reasons we will be moving back to Devon next year, we can be nearer the farm and I will be taking an active part in running it so dad can slip into retirement...yeah right! So, this is a little diary of my activities and will run for a week or so until I have to head back to Sussex for my desk.... Saturday 11th Aug Ubp early to see mum and dad of at 6.20 so they can get away to the ferry in good time, we arrived down in Devon at 10pm the night before so kids crabby to say the least. Great morning, blue skies but chilly and no wind, lots of dew and mist in the valley bottoms. Dad briefed me last night on the jobs to do and the main priority needed is to run the combine/baler to finish off the harvest, about 40 acres of oats, 60 of wheat and some 30 of barley that is looking horrid. Nothing laid though so that will help. Wheat coming off at 12% so drying is not going to be a huge issue. Other than that is it keep an eye on the sheep, hopefully it will be routine maintenance on their feet and watch for fly strike. The rams have done their business just about and are due a rest. Finally there is some mowing to be done on field margins and set aside, the oldest tractor is on mowing duty and she is always a bit temperamental, don’t stop her when she is warm as she wont start again until cooled down. 10:30 and out to grease the combine, approx 20 grease points and then check the belts, chains, knives, etc. Horrid job if it has been working in barley, makes you itch all over, bit last field was wheat so not too bad. Fueled up and then a walk through the crop to see how it is and do a quick moisture check. Needs 30 mins of sun so arranged for the baler to be greased. Just after 11.30 combine on the go and I move trailers out for grain dumps. I then leave them to it for a bit while I run Debs into town to do a food shop. Back for early lunch and then spell the combine driver whilst he has his. Running a treat and coming off dry. Hand back to the driver and I then do a spell on the baler, boring compared to the combine, also get a crik in you neck from looking over your shoulder all the time. Back to the house for a break at 6.30 and find Debs firing up the barbeque for the kids and ours supper. Great! See the kids into bed and then watch the weather and then back out to the baler. Lights on all round and try and knock off as much as I can before the dew drops. Good day, no mechanical problems and great weather. Sunday 12th Up early again, no lie in for the wicked though a little stiff from yesterdays work. Chap turned up at 7.30 for some pigeon decoying and he was soon getting a few shots. Morning was grey and slightly damp from a heavy due so no chance of running the combine any time soon this morning. Need to try and crack on with the last of the wheat as the combine wants to move to another farm before coming back to finish off the barley that is a good 10 days away yet. Combine driver turns up at 10am and starts he pre flight checks and fuels up. Worried about one of the main belts, it is a hydrostatic belt that is tapered and they do wear out from time to time, looks a little frayed around the edges and you get a whiff of burning rubber from time to time. Good breeze if cloudy and we fire up the combine at 11am and move into a new field. Run on 150 yards and check the sample and what grain is going out over the back, not too bad but a bit of chaff in there so increase the wind (airflow) over the sieves to blow it out the back, balancing act as too much wind and the grain blows out with the chaff. 11.30am and it is raining!!!! Well a bit of drizzle for 5 mins. Not enough to halt proceedings so we crack on. I run back to the farm to fetch the baler and start to follow on the combine, rounds again, we have enough squares and this lot is due to be sold. All going well until I pick up a stray rod some kind soul has thrown over the hedge from the road!!! Lucky the combine did not pick it up as that would have been big bucks but as it is the bailer is out of action until tomorrow when I can get the parts to fix it. Oh well, that gives me time to put the topper on the tractor and mow some of the field margins, the weeds have got up too much and need sorting, both Benjamin and Belinda join me from a bit in the cab, one at a time, both enjoy steering the tractor and Belinda makes a good attempt at flattening a stretch of fence, luckily we missed!!! 2pm we take the kids out to the Butterfly farm at Buckfastliegh, amazing creatures, the colours are great. Spent a great hour wandering around the large greenhouse they are housed in and then moved outside to the Otter Sanctuary. I love otters and would love one as a pet! Not to be of course. Feeding time was a laugh and great afternoon out! Back home to check the sheep, all seem fine though need to look at a few feet as some a tad lame. Will try and get them sorted tomorrow. Forecast fair for Monday, rest of week is looking a bit iffy so would be great to finish the wheat and get the straw baled. If it stays dry longer we can start moving the bales back to the yard or stack it in the field ready for lorries to take it away. Monday 13th August Phone wakes me at 6am, the field engineer is on his way to fix the baler, look out the window and bit grey but breezy so the dew has not settled, good. Forecast is OK so fingers crossed we will clear the last of the wheat today and that will be it until the 40 acres of spring barely is ready in 10 days or so. Baler is soon fixed and combine greased and ready for the off but grey skies and no sun to dry of the ears, start delayed until 12. Get a call from the straw dealer asking if we can switch to square high density bales, he wants 150. So the now fixed round baler is unhitched and the square baler is hooked up and needs new string drums. 15 mins of fiddling and it is ready for the off, fingers crossed no more stray iron lurking in the field. I can see why the big silage boys have metal detectors fitted to their expensive kit. Things run smoothly and by 4 the combine is clear and done, no hic ups. Baler is running well and finished behind the combine at about 7pm, so that is the major part of the harvest done and dusted. Still need to stack the bales up but that can be done in any weather and that is not looking so bright for the next few days. Watched pigeons hitting next doors rape hard, sorted out the flight line they are using over some of our wheat stubble so hopefully will have some time for a decoying session in the next day or two now I have a bit more time. Take the kids up to the field and make a start at building a hide, would be nice to have some pigeon breast for the barbeque later in the week. Got to do some sheep chiropody at some point though, a couple need doing in the next day or two. The ewe lambs in the orchard are enjoying the first wind fall apples, fighting over them as they hear the thud of one hitting the deck, need to pick the next lot of plums and gauges for the freezer. Join the kids for tea and find out they and Debs have been around the caravan site selling excess runner beans to the campers, £4.50 into the kids piggy banks! Well done them. They have also taken 15 assorted courgettes down to the local Chinese restaurant in the next door village, will settle up when we go for a meal at the weekend. Only just opened but very smart by all accounts, if food is as good as décor we will be in for a treat. After tea take the kids up to the top of the farm by the badger set to scatter some peanuts, hope to lure them out one evening so the kids can watch them, fingers crossed I might get a picture or two. Here are some pics, Tractors for Paul, sorry nothing blue. Green: Red: Green again, this is our old girl that stays around the yard most of the time, old and rather tired but never misses a beat, might do a project on her one day! The last of the wheat to come in: Combine ready for the off: Oat straw all safely baled: More to follow if anyone is interested. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 looks nice, and some nice neat rows on the bailing. where in devon is the farm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted August 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 looks nice, and some nice neat rows on the bailing.where in devon is the farm? Flash, It is down on the Exe Estuary, near Starcross. We also have some land up near Moreton thought that is rented out right now. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 That is a cracking post and I hope that you will find the time to do some more. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 Thats a great read well done and keep the pictures coming...... Farming is good for you but i bet you are completely knackered by the time your patents come home from holiday... :( B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 i know starcross, i go to college at bicton near budleigh salterton, and whn getting a train from exeter to newton abbott u go straight though starcross. nice area. u dont by chance need any pest control done on ur land near moreton cheers flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john faul Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 you forgot the blue ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 Thanks for taking the time for the write up .... brings back memories.... I vist Budleigh Salterton often so know the area well.... beautiful. There are some good fishing boats to be taken out from Exmouth. Malk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr W Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 Really enjoyed that post, sounds like hard work (and that's when things are going well) but you obviously enjoy it and the kids must be having a ball what great childhood memories for them. I for one would love to hear more tales from the farm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 A very interesting piece of writing, well done. I hope we get another instalment before your parents come home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted August 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 i know starcross, i go to college at bicton near budleigh salterton, and whn getting a train from exeter to newton abbott u go straight though starcross. nice area.u dont by chance need any pest control done on ur land near moreton cheers flash Look out the train to your right as you go the Newton Abbot as you go over the marshes between Exeter and Starcross and yu will see the farm the pic of the combine was taken no more than 400 yards from the rail way. I will keep you posted re the land at Moreton, we are sorted at the moment but I may be out there next week. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted August 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 you forgot the blue ones Not had a blue tractor on the farm for a loooong time. I have a soft spot for old reds, rebuilt a massey 135 many years ago, and now trust John Deeres. Very reliable and pull well. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 i know starcross, i go to college at bicton near budleigh salterton, and whn getting a train from exeter to newton abbott u go straight though starcross. nice area.u dont by chance need any pest control done on ur land near moreton cheers flash Look out the train to your right as you go the Newton Abbot as you go over the marshes between Exeter and Starcross and yu will see the farm the pic of the combine was taken no more than 400 yards from the rail way. I will keep you posted re the land at Moreton, we are sorted at the moment but I may be out there next week. Jerry would be good to meet someone from down in devon, off the forum. i will look out for the farm next time im on the train, but ti think i know the place. cheers flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted August 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 Thats a great read well done and keep the pictures coming...... Farming is good for you but i bet you are completely knackered by the time your patents come home from holiday... :( B) Knackered but fun. It is raining now, just been for a wander to check a few things. Maybe a quieter day tomorrow which may mean I am dragged into Exeter to go "shopping"..... :lol: I know where I would rather be! Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 great pics,i used to love farm work many years ago.used to work on a 1,000 acre farm we used to grow 700 acres of corn.i drove the big claas combine.i still shoot the farm now, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie 1 Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 well done on a great post. it is brilliant to hear tales on farming and what happens. very intresting thanks for sharing and look forward to reading more tales. cheers charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted August 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 A very wet night and a very damp morning, wind has picked up from the south south west and that means we are in for a dull damp day. View from the top of the farm first thing is bleak, cant even see the other side of the river: Weather ideally suited to the moorhens: But the partridges don’t look that happy: I feel sorry for the caravaners on the site too, they are in for a wet day and most have small kids in tow, must be heaven cooped up on a day like today. First stop is to check the stock, all fine and rain not bothering them too much, indeed the grass for august is looking very green compared to normal and we have plenty of feed at the moment, Will mean it needs topping later in the year to tidy things up. The wet weather over this summer has also meant there has been more than the fair share of fly strike in the sheep, a close eye is needed to be run over them twice a day to nip any in the bud if the flies strike. Damp warm wool and flies don’t mix. No chance of any baler work today so it was clean the combine and make sure everything is OK before calling it a day and taking the kids down to Plymouth to visit the National Aquarium, massive queues to get in and chucking it down so detoured via the cinema to see Surfs Up and then back to the aquarium later once the queues had shrunk, still took 45mins to get in but very good. Home and nipped up to check the badgers peanuts and most of them have gone from last night, scattered a few more and will do so for the next few days before we try and watch them. Forecast looks better tomorrow at the moment, time for sheep feet work. Skies clearing now and wind dropped a bit. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernie garland Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 "ditto" on the great thread, very enjoyable. Good to hear that your kids are enjoying their time there too and not screaming "Dad! where's my play station? or the usual "I'm bored" keep up the good work bernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth Stalker Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 Fantastic read Keep it coming, from a beautiful part of this green and pleasant land. I'm down that way later this week staying in a farm B&B near Chagford SS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 Cracking post Jerry, thanks for taking the time to write it All this Devon talk is making me 'Devon sick' we used to go down there (Dartmoor and Exmoor) at least a couple of times a year - great place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arjimlad Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 Very interesting to see it from the farmer's point of view. Thanks for posting. I was down your way for a family wedding. We stayed at Dawlish Warren - Leadstone - and the wedding was at Powderham church. Beautiful country round there. I'd have camped on a PW related site if I had known about it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted August 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 Fantastic read Keep it coming, from a beautiful part of this green and pleasant land. I'm down that way later this week staying in a farm B&B near Chagford SS I will be at Chagford Agricultural show on Thursday, try and pop in as it is a creacking little show but no livestock this year other than horses for obvious reasons. Jery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandersj89 Posted August 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 Very interesting to see it from the farmer's point of view. Thanks for posting. I was down your way for a family wedding. We stayed at Dawlish Warren - Leadstone - and the wedding was at Powderham church. Beautiful country round there. I'd have camped on a PW related site if I had known about it ! That chucrh is not more than a mile and a half from here and where I will end up under the gotund I hope. Great little church. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arjimlad Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 Yes, it was very beautiful. The reception was at Powderham Castle as well so you can imagine we all had a good time. The view out from there is stunning. A .243 would have come in handy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted August 15, 2007 Report Share Posted August 15, 2007 nice read jerry many thanks had a few holidays at crofton farm dawlish. a guy selling maggots on the lake,s kept moaning the deer around there kept getting run over and there,s bloody hundreds of them . nice part of the country your in mate enjoy it but i don't have to tell you that do i . regards rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.