Fencing the top field

We have only had sheep in the top field all the time we have been here. We have wanted to fence it for the cows and horses but never found time. 

It is better for the land (in terms of keeping it as grass rather than weed and scrub) to have a variety of animals over it as they eat different things.

We moved the sheep out while Aidan was here and with both of us around, now seemed like the perfect time to do it. Also pushing us to get it done was the cows not really having quite enough grassland as the herd has grown rather. Lismore is going to the abattoir soon and we will sell Bluebell, but even so more grass will be useful.

The area in green shows the area we just fenced. The red is the total land. There is a tiny other patch somewhere off the picture at the middle of the top. We have never actually identified it.

Was lovely weather

Across the top of our land there is a green strip, this is because EDF come through every other year and cut under the electricity wires. This pylon is on our land.
This bit pictured is in the new fenced area

There is some of the strip EDF clear outside the fenced area because an acacia grove grows there and we need to wait until next summer when they have been through again before we can get through it. The acacias have EVIL thorns.

At some point EDF better fix up their concrete as it is crumbling away. It would be bad if the pylon fell over!

 We took out the sheep fencing that was up there. I have mentioned before that this fencing is both genius and EVIL. It likes to get all tangled up - but does keep the sheep in whereas many other fences do not.

It was quite grown in in places, though it has been much worse as Doug had been round it all in the spring.

The dog was VERY helpful

The new area is about half grass and half in the chestnut forest. We hope the cows will do a good job clearing the bramble and saplings that have been growing up in there for years (the previous owner used to pass cows through the woods every year and keep all the undergrowth down)

Various bits of fallen tree had to be chopped up to clear the way. All good wood for the fire.

 Stopped again to admire the view

Much strimming went on. Doug did it with his uber strimmer that I can hardly lift. I have a lighter one for work in the garden etc. Doug has a metal blade on here which goes through reasonably big saplings, the smaller strimmer doesn't take one of these so struggles on stuff like this.

Driving the 2 wheel tractor and trailer along with equipment.

Dog resting after running around after wild boar

 We had to have a bit of a chat with the pump to get water up to the new field. It was doing a max of about 2.7 bar and the water couldn't get up high enough.

We finally worked out we need to twiddle these springs to adjust.

Venus didn't want to move fields but we eventually persuaded her.

Yay everyone is happy with lots of grass and some chestnuts too.