The day started with getting the mower ready and doing the safety check with help from Bodacious the cat shepherd.

He is very good at assisting in all the safety checks and lining up the tow bar and ball.

Mr.B Helping Line Up Tow Bar

Mr.B Helping Line Up Tow Bar

Righty O All Lined Up

Righty O All Lined Up

Next it is to make sure that the tow bar and ball are secure.

Yup Bar Feels Solid

Yup Bar Feels Solid

Now to inspect that the ball and hitch are securely attached, this needs close inspection because if it comes off while on a hill we could have a very bad accident.

This Needs Close Inspection

A Close Inspection of the Hitch

Check All Secure

Check! All Secure

Next we need to check that the tire pressure is correct on the quad, if pressure too high I will get no grip and wheel spin if to low it won’t be able to tow the mower.

Checking Quad Tire Pressure

Checking Quad Tire Pressure

Then we move onto the mower making sure bolts all secure, flails are free, grease all the grease nipples and finally a tire check.

This Tire Pressure Checks Out

This Tire Pressure Checks Out

I Think We Are Good To Go

I Think We Are Good To Go

Ready to pull out of the shed and fill up with fuel.

Fill Her Up

Fill Her Up

When I fire up the mower Bodacious departs as he feels the mower is a bit too noisy but he is replaced by Pepper who loves to help mow the fields. He keeps a sharp eye out for any mice, rabbits or hare who might run out of the long grasses. I stop the quad so he can jump down and give chase but he never catches anything.

Pepper Watching Out For Rabbit or Hare

Pepper Watching Out For Rabbit or Hare

So starts the day of topping all the nettles, thistles and grass.

Topping Nettles Thistles & Grass

Topping Nettles Thistles & Grass

What I love about my mower is I can get right in under the trees which with a tractor would not be possible.

Mowing Under the Trees

Mowing Under the Trees

As always when you only have one final row to mow you run out of fuel.

Last Row & Fuel Runs Out

Last Row & Fuel Runs Out

Pepper is bemused by the silence of the mower and stares at it.

Pepper Looking at Silent Mower

Pepper Looking at Silent Mower

Refueling

Refueling

When this field is finished I head out the gate stopping on the lane to close the gate behind me. I look to my right and who has been sleeping in the shade waiting for me to finish but Bodacious.

Mr.B Curled Up Waiting For Me

Mr.B Curled Up Waiting For Me

He might not like the mower when it is going but he loves a ride on the Quad any chance he gets. So he saunters down from his napping location to try and hitch a ride back to the yard.

Mr.B Sauntering Down to the Mower

Mr.B Sauntering Down to the Mower

Up he jumps onto the mower to wait for my return from closing the field gate

Mr. B Waiting For Me

Mr. B Waiting For Me

As I come back he jumps off the mower and onto the quad demanding I give him a ride back up to the yard.

A Demanding Bodacious

A Demanding Bodacious

So up I get onto the seat and himself curls happily onto my lap waiting for me to start the engine.

Mr. B Ready For His Ride

Mr. B Ready & Waiting for His Ride

When I start up the quad Bodacious gets into his driving position for a spin up to the yard.

Engine Started Mr. B is Ready For His Ride

Engine Started Mr. B is Ready For His Ride

Still more fields to top but I take a break to have some supper then go out to check on sheep before continuing. As ever Bodacious is on the job but this time waiting for me at the gate telling me off for being late.

Mr. B Waiting for Me to do Sheep Inspection

Mr. B Waiting for Me to do Sheep Inspection

This evening some of the sheep come towards us as I’m a bit late and they are curious as to why.

Mr.B Counting Sheep

Mr.B Counting Sheep

Other sheep are to contented to move staying put and chewing their cud.

Bodacious Pauses for a Thought Amongst the Sheep

Bodacious Pauses for a Thought Amongst the Sheep

He then starts walking through his sheep greeting those he feels like and ignoring others.

Mr. B Inspecting the White Ewe

Mr. B Inspecting the White Ewe

He then walks over to show a healthy sample of sheep poo not to be stepped in by cat or human.

Mr.B Pointing Out Healthy Sheep Poo

Mr.B Pointing Out Healthy Sheep Poo

Now it is time for me to continue my mowing.

A Field of Thistles to be Topped

A Field of Thistles to be Topped

Having had supper and a glass of wine (or two) you can see my straight lines have a wee bit of a curve to them.

The Big Fellow Looks on As I Mow a crooked line

The Big Fellow Looks on As I Mow a crooked line

I want to get the field mowed as the next day it is due to rain so I mow well on into the night finishing after 11pm.

Mowing into the Dark

Mowing into the Dark

When I am finally done I go into the house for a warm apple brandy and find a very lazy cat sprawled out in front of the Aga.

Mr. B Exhausted After a Long Day

Mr. B Exhausted After a Long Day

 

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