Tuesday, 1 June 2010

June 1st, 2010


Went to Browns to order the new part for the tractor, costly mistake - £205 + VAT.
Rained all morning.

May 31st, 2010


Kids away, nice day so Steph and I went bud rubbing. This is physically the most demanding job in the vineyard year, It involves bending/squatting down to remove all the lower buds and growth from each vine. 5000, squat thrusts - can my thighs take it? We started at the east end with the longest rows and managed 6 rows in total, ~600 vines.








May 30th, 2010

We are rostered to do lunch at the sailing club today. Made a Bolognase as the special and enjoyed the Laser racing.

Decided to go up to the vineyard to make a kerb at the entrance. I drove the tractor up to the vineyard and Steph picked me up so we could get the Landrover. I left the tractor by the gate on the hill.
Horror upon horror - when we returned 20mins later the hand break had slipped and the tractor had rolled down the hill into a tree. The front wheels were pointing in different directions and the Steering leaver is broken. Too stressed to take a picture. We managed to jack up the front of the tractor, straighten the wheels and Steph reversed it to the top of the hill. I had to steer the offside wheel by hand. I was absolutely devastated. My No1 Industrial accident fear involves handbreakes and gates, luckily no one was hurt and I am sure that the tractor can be fixed - its just gonna cost...

Funnily enough the same thing happened to George in exactly the same position a few years ago. Th tractor hit the same spot on the same tree - spooky!

www.chafor.co.uk
info@chafor.co.uk

May 29th, 2010

The kids are going to Turkey with grandparents this week.

May 28th, 2010

School inset day. Took the kids to the park to play, but managed to start reassembling the trailer. The new Suspension/axle units look fantastic and for the first time the wheels are straight.
www.chafor.co.uk
info@chafor.co.uk

May 27th, 2010


Weeded the veg patch. Again not a job that I like, but one that is well worth it and I always feel a lot better for doing it.

Welded the Cement mixer toplink back together. I hope it is strong enough. Spent 2-3 hours trying to attach the drum of the cement mixer to its frame. Should have done this as soon as I brought it home last year. Rust as ever is the problem. Eventually managed it, but would not like to disassemble it again. The new top link works - yet to fill with a heavy mix.

www.chafor.co.uk

info@chafor.co.uk

May 26th, 2010




Sprayed broad beans as they are showing damage from "pea and bean weevil". Rain over night.

Noticed that the grass seed that I planted weeks ago is doing best in the crack caused by the dry weather.

Did a modification to the cultivator today. Using large hinges welded to the back frame I was able to attach some spring tines that will act as a rake and leveler. The hope is that it will turn over any weeks pulled out by the large tines and level the ground. We will see..