A weekend of Cleaning and engine chasing
This weekend I spent an enjoyable and leisurely weekend in engine-related matters.
Saturday I was up nice and early, although that was primarily to watch the England game in the Rugby World Cup. Once this had finished I made my way up to the where the plough is situated, ready for the working weekend in a fortnight’s time.
After visiting ‘Mini Me’ and ‘Bowler’, who were threatening to do work to the roller (although it appeared it was only talking being done) I went down to the Agricultural yard and picked up some oil.
I made a start of cleaning the oil points and mouldboards (learning the terminology now, hope I am getting it right). After half an hour cleaning the first one armed only with a wire brush I decided I had better hurry up or it would never get done. I oiled the first one, and it did look good.
After this I got into a pattern of cleaning a few before I oiled up, as I was having to clamber around / walk past the finished boards, and didn’t want to get muddy. I also decided to do those near the ground first as they involved all of the bending down, then do those that were up in the air as these in theory should be easier.
I had done just over half of the job when ‘Mini Me’ and ‘Bowler’ arrived to watch / laugh / criticise / stare in awe / help. After quite a bit of watching and talking both of them did eventually get involved and helped finish off the remainder. It was quicker as I was stopping every few minutes for a rest, my arms not being used to constant wire brushing. It was refreshing to have people with plenty of energy, as they seemed to get complete their boards a lot quicker than I was. It also helped that ‘Mini Me’ was able to reach the top board, which was probably 8 foot in the air.
During the cleaning ‘chimp’s car had been dropped off next to the ploughers by a relative, as he was going to be travelling there that afternoon on the roller.
The trio of myself, Mini Me and Bowler then decided to go and catch up with the roller as it made it’s way, as we had little else planned for the day.
We eventually caught up with the roller after trying a few routes we thought it may have taken, shortly before they had got to their first pub stop. Here we caught up with the crew, and assortment of kids they had in the living van. After a short fuel break we continued, over-taking the roller occasionally and watching it go by. After a further pub stop (where we had only just missed a fun day apparently, with the barbeque having unfortunately gone cold) we made it back to base-camp (well, base-pub initially). I did ride the mile or so from the local pub to the field with the ploughs, just to collect the car. The gaggle of ankle biters were less noisy than when I remember making the same journey a couple of years ago.
Sunday there was no plan, but as I was still in the vicinity (a few of us had had a meal the Saturday night, complete with the Frankie & Bennies Dog for the surprised “birthday girl” (April is close-ish to September)) Mini-Me and I decided to follow the Fowler SRL, “Scrappy”, home along the lanes. Myself and Mini Me did decide to get ourselves breakfast and take it to be eaten while the crew cleaned, and also generally made ‘clever’ comments. The surroundings of Shuttleworth estate on a quiet sunny morning really was quite pleasant. Once steam was raised the route taken was mildly similar, with only one of the pub stops being the same. The variation here was in that we had chips at the pubs en-route, rather than crisps and nuts the day before. ‘Scrappy’ was noticeably faster than the roller, although probably louder too. The two ladies on the engine (steersperson and passenger) decided after the first stop that their handbags were getting too dirty on the engine, so after that upon reaching a venue I found myself getting out of the car and picking up two handbags. . . .
So, all in all a nice relaxed weekend in good weather. Makes a change not to be working to a regimented time frame, having to ‘perform’ as requested, and not having the normal mad dash to pack everything away.
As far as I know I should have a break from the steam adventures next weekend (although do have something else exciting planned) then the working weekend to look forward to. Hope the weather will be good for that – last year it was so hot T-shirts were the order of the day. Not sure what task I shall find for myself, but sure I will be kept busy doing something.
Tags: chips, clean, Fowler, nuts, oil, plough, pubs, rag, Road, wire brush
