July 14, 2013

    The Tools of the Hand Hay Making Trade

    It has been another gloriously hot day. Philip mowed for about 3 hours early this morning. After breakfast we spread all the hay on the field, then hosted a very enjoyable visit from the Dyfed Smallholders Association. This evening we

    July 13, 2013

    Stacking the Hay

    After 9 dumpy sack loads (we stuff them well!), the “Stackpole” hay is safely stacked in the barn. As the hay is removed from the field, the quality of the scythe cut beneath is revealed. Despite being complete beginners, the

    July 13, 2013

    Rowing up

    Some of the “Stackpole” hay in it’s rows early this morning (July 13th)A very busy day for us yesterday, though not all with hay making. Phil squeezed in some mowing early on before going out to work in a neighbours

    July 11, 2013

    Hauling Hay

    Broad leaved plants in the hayPhil mowed for an hour early this morning. I then spent almost two hours spreading all the hay that has been cut so far. We have just (4.30pm) bought in the hay that was cut

    July 11, 2013

    Mowing with Stackpole wardens and more haymaking!

    Rowing up in the evening. The greener rows cut by the Stackpole team can be seen towards the back.Yesterday 7 volunteers and wardens from the Stackpole Estate, a National Trust property in Pembrokeshire, came on a course to learn how

    July 9, 2013

    Progressive Hand Hay Making

    Grass mown this morning, spread out to dryIt has been another good hay making day. This morning Phil mowed two long windrows up the edge of the hay field, opening up a patch ready to be mown on a course

    July 8, 2013

    The Hay Making Season Begins!

    The first few windrows in the early morning sun.With the sun out and shining, and promising to stay so for the rest of the week, the 2013 hay making season at the Trust has got underway. Awkwardly, we already had

    June 17, 2013

    Introductory Scythe Course, June 23rd

    Learning to sharpen the scythe on the Introductory Scythe Course, May 2012We still have a couple of places left on our Introductory Scythe Course on June 23rd. An Introductory course is a great place to start using a scythe, or

    June 6, 2013

    Daily Hand Hay Making Blog

    Hay making season is on it’s way! And it seems quite a lot of people are interested in making hay by hand. This summer we are planning to post daily updates of our hand hay making activities, showing the whole