Got the whole hayfield cut, finished yesterday with only one break down when the small chain went. Herbie thought I'd lost the spring too, but found it mangled, still attached to the one support. Fortunately I buy replacements in twos, so just went and picked it up from the shed, but had to pop down to the local hardware store for the chain link. Today it didn't go so well. I attached the rake to the tractor yesterday after parking the haybine, using rocks to lift the tongue, and backing into place, then placing the pin in the top hole, jiggling the tractor until it dropped through all 4 holes. On pulling it out, realised that the one wheel was flat. This morning, I plugged the air compressor in, and when Herbie came home, we drove out with it to pump the tyre. I had also greased all the nipples (not as sexy as that sounds) but when I drove, Herbie saw that the other back wheel was locked and not turning. Much puttering, me going back to fetch the floor jack and more comprehensive tool box, he took the wheel hub off, but that piece just wouldn't stay where it was supposed to. We took a break with Anni and Lisa barking like crazy in the woods, I went and got the gun, and we went raccoon hunting. Herbie saw it up in the tree, fired 2 shots at it when the gun jammed. By the time he pried the bent bullet out, the raccoon had disappeared. No matter how much we both called for the dogs to come back and find it, they were nowhere to be seen. Back at the tractor in the hayfield, were both dogs, panting. Anni bleeding from her chin, the raccoon obviously got her. Good thing she's up-to-date on her rabies shots, but need to take Lisa in for hers.
All and all, I didn't get the hayfield raked. Herbie said tomorrow, it would probably work like a charm. I said, well, maybe not tomorrow, but rather on Sunday :). Please from my lips, to Gods' ears.
Came back to the house and made breakfast for dinner. Scrambled eggs, smoked beef sausage, toast and tomato. Was actually delicious. Suppose anything is when you're hungry.