My Wynpol Journal: July 2015

What better way to get this reboot started than with a run down on the annual scything festival here at Wimpole. Yep, its been a whole year since we all gathered in church field ready to compete, drink and basically have a good get together.

This year there was a difference as it all took place in folly field, beyond the lakes. Mainly to help promote the completion of the Gothic tower on the estate, the scything weekend seemed as popular as ever; certainly in terms of the number of mowers that turned up!

The other major difference was that I was able to attend both days this time (thanks Gordon!). OK so I didn't actually compete this time (what can I say I'm building up to it!) but a little more practice and self confidence and I'm sorted. Not that I expect to win of course.

The first half of Saturday was spent assisting Shane in waterproofing the grindstone machinery. Let me tell you that stuff gets everywhere and even worse you can't get the sealant off! Job sorted in the end though and after connecting it to the little petrol engine it was time to start sharpening. Oh and by now we'd filled one half of said grindstone tech with water. All I can say I'd that it created a lovely fountain effect when Simon started grinding!

A new competition this year was the log splitting; wedges VS chainsaw. The object was to make six oak posts out of a lump of timber. All in all it turned out to be quite the close contest, with Simon of course winning with the wedges! Better luck next year Tom!!

Group mow (credit to Sadeik at wordpress)

One of the highlights of the first day (apart from completing my first spoon of the weekend) was the group mow down the hill. Well over 20 people with scythes mowing, quite the sight. It was fascinating too to watch how different people mowed and how the techniques varied. The photos of the group mow are from Simon's video (https://sadeik.wordpress.com/2015/06/29/the-big-mow/), well worth the watch.

Down the hill (credit to Sadeik at wordpress)

Rain stops play

Rain!! Sunday morning was quite a contrast to the day before. What started off as a little spit soon turned quite a downpour with the majority of the people there running for the nearest shelter! Unfortunately I was in the process of taking photos at the time, choosing the quiet morning to get some pictures in. Camera got a bit damp but it still works.

The man from Del Monte

With the day brightening up after lunch the weekend shifted to the 5x5 races, with a selection of scythes on offer. English, Austrian and even a Scottish scythe were on offer (go Jim!). We had the highest ever number of mowers taking part this year topping 31 competitors, not bad indeed. Needless to say Jim won with the for the Scottish scythe being the only person using it! I forget who won out of us Wimpole lot (sorry to whomever won), with the women's medal being won by a heavily pregnant Beth!

As for the rest of the winners we're straying into dangerous memory territory as I'm struggling to remember! I believe Mark won with the English scythe and as for the rest... erm check out Simon's blog! Any corrections as always are gratefully received.

The 10x10 competition gets serious!!

I stayed on to help with the timing of the 10x10 races, with some confusion regarding the timing with the stopwatches but it all worked itself out ok in the end. Oh and I finished half a spoon on the second day, the other half is still a work in progress!

Wimpole's forestry department at their best!