Wed, 25th Mar, 2015 Malcolm & Kerry’s farm, Westbury

Thermometer said 10 degrees but it felt a lot colder this morning. Steve is doing the gas work and I am going to clean the van and do all the washing as there is rain forecast for this afternoon.

Clear morning but the clouds are starting for build up. Lou rang to say that Beryl Richardson’s funeral notice was in the paper – she was my first boss, so sad for the family.

Very overcast dark day but amazing the washing dried – air must be so dry. If it was that overcast at home the humidity would be high and the washing would never have dried. At lunchtime it was only 15.8 degrees in the van. The wind has picked up.

Malcolm was going to pick up the rectangular hay bales with his machine so Steve drove me and Gus the dog out on the 4 wheeler to watch. Drove along beside him videoing it – most ingenious invention from the US. Not a common machine down here but it should be as it is brilliant. Picks up the bale then turns it onto the truck and when he has three in a row it pushes it back onto the tray. Once there are 5 rows the tray lifts up and stands the bales on end with big hooks keeping them in place. Then when it is full he drives into the shed and it just pushes the whole lot off in a big stack all ready to use.

There are a lot of other great inventions for making farming more efficient in use here. One old one though was made in 1902 in New Zealand, mainly out of timber. A large round bale of hay is fed into it and it shreds the hay It even sorts it if there are some pieces too long which are put through again. Then it is piped into bags. Will have to get a video next time they are doing some.

From there they make different mixes, combining grains etc and molasses to the mix to make a premium food source – Malcolm’s is called ‘Top Gear’. It is all very interesting.

Text from Tracy saying Grant is improving, wonderful news. 

Steve had a busy day doing the hot water installation so we decided to all go out to the Westbury Pub for dinner. Delicious meal.

Getting colder again as we head back to the van with a clear sky. Mum had rung so rang her back. Letting me know about Beryl. All well at home though Dad’s knees are playing up – I suggested rubbing them with WD40 – can’t hurt and it is one of its uses!!

Rang Wendy and Dave for a catchup.