Stormin

It'll come as no surprise, HVC committee has unanimously decided that the annual ploughing match and rally will not be taking place this year. Neither will the annual Allonby Charity ploughing match.

Oh go on! Rub it in.

I went down yesterday and as you'll know Jonathan, there was a thaw overnight. The ground in the field had turned rather soggy. Stand still and you started to sink. We did get another load out, but using the chainsaw was a bit risky when your feet got stuck in mud. Forecast is for more cold weather on the way. If the ground freezes again I'll go back. Otherwise I'll wait for the ground to dry out a bit. Not desperate for logs anyway. Nice lad brought me a load today. Keep me amused splitting them. Something that happened yesterday when I got in the field, the Sears lost it's steering. The connecting rod from bottom of steering column to the front came adrift at the back. The joint had parted company with it's socket. Lying in a soggy field tying to tie it up with cable ties was not much fun. I did walk home for a tarp and ties. Today I took it off and centre punched the edge of the socket with the joint in place. Refitted it the other way round, so the dodgy joint is now pointing down. I'll get a couple of hemi ball joints and modify the rod one day. You can't half go off people.

She's a beauty. I agree with not bringing up to concourse condition. Do that and you get afraid to bring it out of the garage. Thanks for the write up.

Things didn't go quite as planned yesterday. First of all I will say I did take my camera this time. Unfortunately I didn't check the battery was fully charged. Though the snow, such as it was, had thawed, there was a slight touch of drizzle in the air. Water on frozen ground can be interesting. Didn't set off to the field till after lunch. Where the bridleway joins the farm track, there is a bit of a drop. Normally not a problem but it had been rutted by a tractor at some time and some lumps off earth left sticking up. Now frozen solid. Trying to pick the best way down, as the front wheels dropped off the lane, the tote box on the front dug in and came off. Next the rear axle got high sided on righthand side. Front wheels in the gully, one rear wheel in the air spinning merrily, nothing was going anywhere. Unhitched the trailer and put the tractor in 1st high box. By lifting the tractor rear end and pushing best I could, managed get the tractor on to the farm track. Trailer back on and tote box, chainsaw etc in the trailer proceeded to the field. The tree I was going to fell, was at one side of a gateway between two fields. The ground had been nicely paddled by cattle and sheep and now frozen and starting to thaw, made walking rather dodgy. The tree had grow from out the side of the bank. The only way I could get to cut it was off the bank. Also I couldn't get to it to cut a notch out the side I wanted it to fall. Though with it leaning into the field anyway, that was where it was going to drop. It wasn't the best of jobs, or safest I've done due to the trees position, but by being very careful it dropped right where I expected and wanted. I was cutting some of the limbs up, trailer length, and loading them and twiggy stuff into the trailer, when Carol arrived and assisted with the loading. With the tote box etc balanced on top of the load of wood, the slow journey home down the rough track was made. Depending on the weather, rain forecast for tomorrow, it could be the end of the week before the jobs finished. If it doesn't kill me first.

Spoke to a farmer neighbour on Friday, at a distance naturally, and mentioned I'd had to order some firewood. First time for 4yrs. "Needn't have done that", said he. "There's a tree you can take down in a field". Typical! Yesterday I gave my chainsaw a check over and ran it briefly. Checked over the Sears/Roper and fuelled it up. Attached the tote box, then loaded that with all I'll need. This afternoon it'll be "TIMBER!"

Got a drill sharpener myself, though I doubt I would get away with using it in the house. Workshop is a bit chilly for working in. With the lockdown restrictions, my farm work and trips over to Scotland are curtailed. Jigsaws have been rooted out. More books read and a daily 2-1/2 approx. mile walk round the block. I'm even doing the washing up. Sometimes!

Funny isn't it. My fathers first car was a 1935? Morris 8 saloon. He changed the three speed gearbox for a four speed. Gave one or two MG drivers a surprise on the hills.

Beautiful job, Richard. I'm interested to see how you do the horse.

Nice, professional work there, Joseph.

All the Best one and all. And here's to a much better 2021.

That's no fence. That there be a dry stone wall. Lot's of those in the north of England and not a dab of cement to be seen. They even run up the fellsides. Stone would have been taken up by pack horse.

Points were removed and cleaned up. No kill switch or wire evident. I'll take a look at the stator position. I have a friend who can maybe test condenser and coil. Could be a while before I can see him due to the virus. He and his wife have health issues.

The gap setting is on the cover. I'd just removed it and set it on one side. It was well tarnished and needed a good clean to read it. Gap reset to .020 but still no spark. I have cleaned inside the flywheel and the magnets are still magnetic. Duff coil or condenser maybe? Or is the timing out? I'll see what my mate says. Fix or scrap? He'll never use it.

Brilliant, Joseph. BTW. Another year or so and you'll be as tall as your dad. Merry Christmas.

All the Best for Christmas, to one and all.

Doing well, Joseph. I think you need to tell dad to get some heating in your workshop.

Thanks Angus. I knew you would know. I'll re-set it then see if I get a spark.

Can anyone tell me the points gap? The gap on the Gardenmaster 85 I'm trying to sort for a friend seem to be very close. Maybe about .010thou. Engine is an Aspera. ML30/91211. Serial No. 400286.

I don't think I'd worry about the letters that have moved, Richard. Doubt anyone will notice if you don't tell them.

'fraid SWM has been put aside for now. Parts supply/expense etc.

Excellent work there, Sir.

You've both done very nice jobs of them.

Very nice work, Richard.