But it's great hay ! I cut it, raked it and baled it, all by myself, and the animals love it. It's soft and green and smells wonderful, but then I may be biased :).
It has been raining for over 24 hours now. At least it hasn't been gushing down, just constant. Salle popped over yesterday after picking up her lamb, through the tunnel to show her my instant hot water heater in the feed-room, and there were dry areas in the tunnel. Today I sloshed through 3 or 4 inches of water to milk Dolly.
Then I sloshed out into the veggie garden to retrieve the tractor. Lifted the front of the shit-spreader, put rocks under jack thingy. Drove out standing up as I didn't want to sit on the cracked seat where the foam is soaking. Went to the shed and manoeuvred the bale spear onto the hitch after taking the bar off. All in the rain, had to clear my glasses a few times but none of my clothes were dry enough to clean them. Put a towel on the seat, got the knife out of the buggy and went and picked up the bale. Backed to the pasture, opened the gate and backed in. Got off to close the gate, but none of the beasties even tried to leave. Hmmm, well trained ?
Backed up to the bale feeder, put the bale down, got down from the tractor, lifted the feeder, got back up on the tractor and moved the bale a little further back. Pulled the spear out, re-inserted it a little and then lifted it all the way while backing-up until the bale was standing upright. Moved the tractor forward, got off again and unwrapped the netting from the bale. Walked around it 3 times and then plopped the feeder back around it. The 3 horses moved in to eat, the cows hung back. I left the pasture, mission accomplished. Drove around to close the pasture gate. A little later looked out and the horses were in the veggie garden and the Scottish Highlands were at the bale feeder.
Hopped into the shower as I was dripping wet. Dropped my wet clothes down the laundry shoot. Warm and dry, well sort of as my hair was still wet, I had my cup of tea.
Took Noddy and went and did some chores. Took the empty feed bags over to Mikes', he may have them filled tomorrow :) Stopped at Speedway to withdraw money, then on to town to do some more banking, and stock up with fresh food for the next week.