Billhook
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Everything posted by Billhook
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Because the government thought that it was a great idea to pay us to harvest it, bale it and sell it to firms that burn it and convert it into electricity
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We had to clear some bulrush from the lake, which was taking over and the Reed Warblers seem to have found that the Miscanthus next door is ok
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Found this on the web first site comes up with three species second says six Unionidae - Freshwater mussels Anodonta anatina. Duck Mussel. Anodonta cygnea. Swan Mussel. Unio pictorum. Painter's Mussel. How many types of freshwater mussels are there in the UK? six species There are six species of freshwater mussel that are native to the UK, two of which (depressed river mussel Pseudanodonta complanata and pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera) have experienced large declines during the 20th century (University of Cambridge, 2011).1 Feb 2018
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We have a lovely chalk stream going through the farm and it feeds the lake and exits back into the stream. There is a small bay where the roots of various trees and plants have formed a dense mat and it was while clearing weed around them that we came across many fresh water mussels So are these rare in the UK and are they a good indicator of the health of the water. Do Otters and Mink feed on them?
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Whilst on the subject of wood, I am pleased that the Poplar logs have held out well for twenty three years and the Copper Beech floor also. This was cut from a large log with the Lucas Mill into planks that were then taken to the local wood yard and tongued and grooved and planed. I think I then used deck varnish. However , as many of you know, Billhook’s wood work is often not perfect and I know you all like to have a laugh when something goes wrong The photo shows that I should have taken Arbtalk’s advice on leaving an adequate gap between the boards to allow for expansion. It all looked so good……… until the recent rains!!!
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Just been down to the log cabin where Pipistrelle bats have taken up residence in between the Poplar logs where there is a pencil width gap on the top log due to drying out over time Inside the cabin I saw a load of debris on the floor which turned out to be the remains of a lot of Yellow Underwing Moths and I suspect that the bats have bee hanging upside down in the rafters and enjoying their meal
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We have had a good breeding season for the Swallows both at our home and in the yard and here are the young ones having a bit of flying practice before resting on the observatory roof Not a single House Martin this year and have not seen a Swift either https://youtu.be/b8Jo-V4ikA4
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We have had a good breeding session with our swallows here, at least three nests in the outbuildings. Here they seem to be resting on the roof of our observatory and not disturbed by me making a noise
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Just had another encounter at the other end of the farm. Again the hare sat in the middle of the chalk road and did not move when I slowly approached in my car. Like the other one it scratched itself and then moved its paw over its eye a bit like a cat would and then licked its paw. This may be normal behaviour to clear out dust but it may be a touch of myxomatosis. Otherwise it eventually ran off like the other one. They both looked a bit thin but they may just be very young leverets.
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I have never seen a hare with Myxy in all my years on the farm but I just copied this off google Myxomatosis is a highly infectious and fatal disease for wild or domestic rabbits and occasionally hares. A form of pox virus, myxomatosis is spread by fleas, mites and biting flies such as mosquitoes, as well as by direct contact between infected animals. This hare looked quite healthy when it set off, I think that it just liked me!
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Saw this hare on our front lawn, and thought it looked ill or wounded. Most hares on the farm (and we have many this year) run a mile when they see me in spite of the fact that they have not been shot at here for over fifty years
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The Bride or the car??
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Thanks to both for your comments. I need to test the wires around it to see if there is any current there, If there is then it looks like a new unit is needed.
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My Combi can has had the neck chewed covering the saw and my feet with petrol before I spotted it also the can itself, they went for the yellow cap and completely destroyed the tab that stops you losing it Is it the plastic they love or do they vape on the petrol fumes???!
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Thank you for that. The thing is that it looked so much like what I assume is a combined relay sensor on the back of the radiator fan on my Volvo XC70
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I cannot start the engine, a Hatz diesel and suspect the starter solenoid. But it does not seem to have a conventional solenoid on the starter and was wondering if this object was the relay.
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No shits on here, we are all bird lovers!
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OK sorry no photo, but yesterday I heard a Cuckoo for the first time for years here on the East Coast of Lincolnshire. Bit late, but how does that old country rhyme go The Cuckoo comes in April, in May it sings all day. In mid June it changes tune, July it flies away
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Two o’clock today is a bit too warm for arbwork! Only a slight breeze again from the North East, but not enough to cool
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Lovely day on Saturday and Sunday. Sun shone for the bride on Saturday all day. About time too! The wheat desperately needs a lot of sun to fill the grains. Driving through the countryside I cannot help notice the abundance of greenery in the trees and hedges, must be all the CO2!
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Well this is the great thing about Arbtalk! I thought that I knew it all with well over 50 years of pissing about with all types of petrol engines. The carb looks just like a brand new one after I had taken it off and blew it (no debris or deposits visible) Took out the jets and float needle all clean as a whistle,fresh fuel. I will buy a new carb and a length of fuel line. One thing at a time and if the carb does not fix it then try the fuel line as suggested by Agrimog
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Good advice, I will investigate
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Freezing buggery bollocking cold North East wind that has been blowing for weeks now. I thought I would take Daisy Etta, the old D7 out to level the tracks that have been beaten up with the appalling weather and traffic. She started first time as usual, with the 1300cc twin cylinder petrol donkey. A few blaps and then smooth, all 14 litres of it. Nothing much is going to argue with the two ton blade and the total twenty tons of metal! Does a fantastic job with the blade angled, leaves it like a billiard table. First track unfortunately straight into the wind so bollocks well and truly cooled! Then down to the shelter of the log cabin. The difference in temperature between two places on the farm less than half a mile apart is astounding!
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Plenty of gaps I can assure you, but being a better camera man than a joiner makes all the difference!
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Just finished the new decking and applied first coat of Cuprinol deck oil
