Today, I am mostly............

Trigger_Andy · Post by **Trigger_Andy** » Thu May 21, 15 11:37 pm

Yeh, I guessed so.

Stu wrote:Yep. That's what I meant by a draw knife, Andy. An old fashioned one has straight through handles though and is just a curved blade.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu May 21, 15 11:40 pm

...and I have got VERY good at sharpening knives, blades, and Axes lately.....just need to move the Lucky Heather on a bit quicker and I am in business..................

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Thu May 21, 15 11:43 pm

Not having as many wild animals in Shropshire as you do, Andy, I'm no good on what skinning knives look like. And I'm jiggered if I'm going to risk googling rape bailing knives to find out what they look like.

I'll have the 5-0 knocking on the door to find out what the Bananarama! I'm looking for!

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Thu May 21, 15 11:44 pm

Pete wrote:...and I have got VERY good at sharpening knives, blades, and Axes lately.....just need to move the Lucky Heather on a bit quicker and I am in business..................

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu May 21, 15 11:46 pm

...and these are "Yelms".....

Life in the fast lane, ehhh?

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Thu May 21, 15 11:46 pm

That looks more like life in the bus lane to me.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu May 21, 15 11:49 pm

The Master Thatcher reckons that we will end up putting 5 to 6 TONS of Long Straw Thatch on the roof.......I think it will take about 8 weeks....

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Thu May 21, 15 11:52 pm

Best have a rest and a few reds at Shakey this weekend then. Looks like you will need to conserve your energy.

I wish my business cards said Master Thatcher. Great title.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu May 21, 15 11:57 pm

Yep, a whole lot better than "Master Bater".............

A Box of a cheeky little Shiraz already purchased..........

Trigger_Andy · Post by **Trigger_Andy** » Fri May 22, 15 12:08 am

Not to pry but 8 weeks labour alone must be astronomical. :0

Pete wrote:The Master Thatcher reckons that we will end up putting 5 to 6 TONS of Long Straw Thatch on the roof.......I think it will take about 8 weeks....

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Fri May 22, 15 12:12 am

The "Yelms" are pulled out of the large bale of Long Straw, which is specifically grown on Farms where Pesticides, Phosphates, Nitrates, etc are not used that would damage the fibres.

Also Combine Harvesters are not used as they bruise and shorten the straw length, making it unsuitable for Thatching.

This particular bale was grown and reaped in Bungay, Suffolk.....

The local ducks loved the free grain....

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Fri May 22, 15 12:14 am

It is priced for the Job, Andy; not the duration.....still a lot of money though........should last between 15 - 20 years; though the "Ridge" (which is done last) only lasts for about 11 - 12 years.

The elevations on our cottage were last done in 1986 and they are completely shot...............

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Fri May 22, 15 12:21 am

...a quick view of the cottage as work was prepared to start the Thatching....

...this is the back of the cottage; which takes the brunt of the bad weather....

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Fri May 22, 15 7:10 am

That'll keep you busy for a while! I really don't understand the appeal of thatch, (roofing or politically) Aga's, the desire to own horses etc, or anything else "country" related really. Clearly I'm a townie rather than a bucaholic...

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Fri May 22, 15 8:29 am

Blue wrote:I really don't understand the appeal of thatch, (roofing or politically)

What about Lady Garden???

To each his own, there is no way I could live in a big town or city any more - the noise and proximity of people just drives me up the wall; I would just want to kill everyone...........