What seemed like a reasonably well-planned weekend didn’t exactly go as I had imagined. Plenty of unexpected opportunities made for a busy time on the farm, with plenty of progress on the Megashed roof.
Some other little things happened this week.
- Bale trading was completed for the piglets
- Belfast sinks are hella heavy
- More fence posts were sunk
Piggie Updates
The four piglets seem very well settled in and certainly know their feeding times! The windfall from the apple trees appears to go down really well with the ‘bacon’; they really love a sn-apple.
Teething problems with the water supply have been resolved. We were using a relatively low tray due to my fear of unexpected sub-aqua termination. This gave the pigs plenty of access; however, one little piggie loved to stand in the middle to drink.
Beyond contaminating the drinking trough with mud, it also emptied out all the water. They’ve been upgraded to a hedge find Belfast sink now, less shallow, but they’re not standing in their drinking water.
Come feeding time, three of the babies tolerate a stroke quite happily; however, one little piggie is not interested at all. I was rather startled when he took off backwards the first time. We’ve mutually agreed not to pet now!
Kitten Updates
The kittens are also well settled and very much making everything their home, including my bed, against my wishes. This weekend was a rather big one for them.
In a sunny part of the day, like expectant parents, we wandered out of the house and left the door wide open to see what would happen. After a long five minutes, they finally came out onto the step.
I suspect that, more through surprise at being let out, they were, and still are, rather cautious. Despite the safe space they have to play, neither Bonnie nor Clyde is straying too far from the front door. They also have outstanding recall, so long as you have snacks for them.
Shroom Updates
After a mad few weeks of mushrooms magically springing up overnight, their unheralded arrivals seem to be slowing a little.
While the quantity might be on the turn, the quality of these fine fungi continues to impress. This fine specimen appeared practically overnight and was a good seven inches tall. I really need to start carrying a banana around for scale.
A BX Breaks Down
One of the weekend unplanned opportunities came in an automotive form. While visiting to collect some parts for their now MOT-exempt Citroen BX, the French car decided it didn’t want to go home.
I’m going to say that there is probably no better place to break down with a BX in the North West. I’d previously noticed the car’s fuel lines were cracked, and the original pipes were replaced with death hose.
Since the initial issues seemed to be fuel-related, we began by removing the not very fuel-tolerant pipes. While this made me much happier that the car wasn’t going to burst into flames on the way home, the pipes weren’t the solution.
After a bit of diagnosis, it became apparent that the mechanical fuel pump had failed. Fortunately, I had an aftermarket fuel pump and some brand-new Samco fuel hose. A little jury rigging and a near-permanent fix were pushed together. The new electric pump is good for 180bhp, and the blue silicon pipe adds a further 20bhp.
PTO Shaft Rebuild
I’ve temporarily rehomed a flail mower for use around the verges when the weather dries up a little. Unfortunately, not long before I went to pick it up, the universal joint on the PTO shaft detonated.
Fortune would have it that the universal joint was a standard size and relatively cheap at £20 delivered. The remains of the old joint came out relatively easily; however, I suspect the yoke might be a little twisted.
The old joint is out, and the new one could be pressed back in. All relatively simple mechanical work. That is, until you drop one of the bearings and send tiny little rollers all over the show floor. Which desperately needed sweeping.
Some vocalised frustration later, and the rollers were all back in the bearing. I don’t get to use the press often enough, but my gosh, it makes jobs like this so easy.
With both sides of the joint back together, the shaft could be cleaned down and relubed. I’ve never tried a joint with the grease nipple in the cap and not in the casting before. I’m hoping this will be easier to access as I’m sure a lack of grease is what caused the previous bearings to fail.
All reassembled, and this rainy day task was complete, after a jolly good tidy up. Unfortunately, it is far too wet to try out, so I’ll have to wait until the spring now.
Megashed Update
Work on the Megashed continued at quite a pace, with a plan to be water-tight by Sunday evening.
The easytrim master 112 breather membrane flew up onto the partially clad gable end. Two-inch-square battens will eventually receive more of the metal cladding.
For now, though, I’ll be glad simply to get the whole building wrapped and keep some of the weather out. Working between the rain showers, the back of the megashed was wrapped in a few hours.
This building is not going to fall down. Not only are the rafters nailed and screwed to the ridge beam, but they are also banded. The excess is due to them also being collar-tied and purlins added at the midspan.
With dark early nights already upon us, a light was temporarily installed to get a little more working time in the evening.
The weather membrane has changed the feel of the space, but certainly not made it feel any smaller. Standing inside this huge structure, I question how I’m going to heat it!
But I really shouldn’t worry, as a hefty layer of insulation all around and a near-airtight finish should keep the bills down. The original Megashed could be heated with a 1.5kw heater in about 20 minutes.
The following day, the membrane on the front section of the roof could be installed. A bit of rinse-and-repeat; however, plenty of lessons from the back side can be applied here.
After running out of roofing membrane, it became clear that the ‘weather-tight’ milestone wouldn’t be reached. The realisation hit me like a ton of bricks, but there was little that could be done about a lack of materials. Instead, I continued the front cladding and installed the door!
Trima Tractor Bucket
I am starting to realise why farms end up with so much junk. Between the abundance of ‘space’ and Facebook Marketplace, the temptation of cheap ‘stuff’ becomes overpowering.
Take, for example, this genuine Trima loading bucket. I already have a loading bucket, and the tractor can barely handle a full load. However, that is a five-foot bucket and not original to the loader.
This six-foot bucket isn’t just bigger, but it looks just like the catalogue. Sure, it’s a little worn and in places appears more like a colander than a bucket. However, it was cheap and local, and when I get around to it, it will really look right with the tractor.
Bonfire Night
Finally, and predictably, a fiery picture of some waste clearance. A more recent family tradition of visiting friends to burn off some wood, drink hot chocolate and keep warm.
I do love a good bonfire night and a mass family gathering. No fireworks or sparklers this year, as I left it a little late and all the shops were out of stock.
Until next time,
Nothing to Farm.