August 29, 2013

    More Hay Making with Racks

    Right- windrows mown in the morning, Centre- Phil spreading hay mown the day before, Left-Hay racksSince our last Introductory Scythe Course on 18th August we have been hay making again, although in a different fashion to earlier in the season.

    August 25, 2013

    Using Racks Part 4 – taking the racks down

    Last Monday, after two days of dry weather I took down some of the hay racks that we built at the end of July. It was the first chance to compare how the racks with and without canvas “hats” have

    August 9, 2013

    Peening and Sharpening Workshop

    Tink, tink, tink……Five people joined us today for our Peening and Sharpening Workshop. In the morning, Phil went through the principles of jig and free hand peening, and everyone had a go at both. Old blades were available for practice

    July 24, 2013

    Using Racks Part 2

    Racks in Cae Mari Jones, some with canvas “hats” tied onYesterday we finished putting the drier grass cut on the mowing day up onto racks, making 12 in the field in all. Today, I added some canvas “hats” to 5

    July 23, 2013

    Using Hay Racks

    Building hay racks yesterday eveningThe weather is definitely on the turn now and we are drawing towards the end of this session of hay making. But there is still plenty of work to do to save as much as the

    July 23, 2013

    Social Mow and Hand Hay Making Day

    Mowing in Cae Mari Jones during the Social MowWe had a great time on our Social Mow and Hand Hay Making Day on Sunday. Eight people joined us mowing in Cae Mari Jones, ranging from experienced mowers to complete beginners.

    July 20, 2013

    Cae Mari Jones

    Deciding if the hay mowed on the course on Wednesday is ready to cartThis morning we spread the “mini-windrows” from yesterday to ensure there were no green bits tucked in the middle. By this evening, it was ready to cart.

    July 19, 2013

    Working with Rows

    “Mini-windrows” on Cae Mari JonesThe hay from the Top Field is all in the barn and we are now working on Cae Mari Jones. The weather is still set fair, and we have been using a a different technique with

    July 17, 2013

    Ready, Steady, Mow!

    The Introductory Scythe course having a first go at scything on Cae Mari JonesThe work Phil did yesterday setting up a “staggered start” on Cae Mari Jones was put to good use today by the participants on the Introductory Scythe