There comes a time in the year when I must accept that winter is coming and I have to start getting The Farmy prepared. Not that I am giving up on summer quite yet you understand. 
But the cold winters here are deeply unforgiving of a casual attitude. It was a beautiful late summer day yesterday. The harvesters are humming in the fields, new birds are appearing in the trees as they pass through. The animals spent most of the day slumbering gently in the fields. Even Bobby Blanc came out for a wee stroll and seemed to be a little improved. Instead of dragging his hoof he was lifting it and limping on it. I think this is a good sign. So after a tiny walk, back to bed rest he went. 
The tiniest bit of colour is creeping into the garden.. 
and finally they are fixing our road. As you will remember they have shut off the high way on both sides of our road, so there have been and still are streams of construction trucks racing up and down our little side road and it is ruined. The Cooking Oil car has to drive on the grass to get around some of the pot holes. 
So yesterday morning they ground the road up. Which was fine, Eldest son and I had nowhere to go anyway! The Old Codger was alerted to my absence. I will see him today. 
We were doing firewood. John collects all the dunnage, or packing timber from his work and brings it home for firewood. We don’t cut down trees to heat our house in winter. There are enough people doing that already. But we do heat our house with firewood in a very efficient wood stove. Not only does it heat our house but I cook on it all winter too. So we collect burnable wood and fallen trees anywhere we can find them. And yesterday Logan got busy with the chainsaw. 
While I stacked. Like the hay I prefer to stack the wood myself. I like the piles of wood to be stable (my grandfather was very particular about how he stacked his wood too) and also if I stack it myself I know where all the different weights of wood are. Some woods are for the night time when the fire is low and some are for starting the fire or heating it up fast for cooking, so there has to be a logic to the wood shed. When it is very cold I have to work fast. Also we burn carefully so there is a minimum of smoke, often no smoke at all if I get it right, and for this you need the right wood, cut to the right size, properly dried and burned correctly.
In the afternoon yesterday the men working on the road, took all the tarmac they had lifted and ground up and relaid it onto the road as a base. Recyling at its best. Tomorrow we will get gravel I hope.
The Shush sisters were invited in to inspect their almost finished winter quarters. There is still a wee bit to do. Pigs will eat anything if they are hungry and bored and that does include their walls. Though they will only be locked in when it is very cold and blowing, I still don’t want them to get up to No Good and eat their house! 
So there is still a bit to do, that chipboard wall will be boxed out and lined in wire pig fence, etc. Most importantly though, they will have a draft free space in there. Somewhere to cuddle up on cold stormy days. See how Sheila always keeps her eye on me. I love that pig.
Good morning. Today we will finish the Winter Quarters, then finish cutting and stacking the dry firewood. Then start the green wood. This will be stacked outside to dry for next winter.
Eldest son goes back to Canada and the ski fields tomorrow. I think he will be going back to work for a rest!
Have a lovely day.
celi
On this day a year ago. A Little Story. This is a lovely little story from the house in the orchard. I hope you will like this one. It is definitely one of The Stories. In fact it is from the same period as The Boy and The Fence though this one is a laugh! No crying today!! It is Friday!
The Kitchen's Garden 
47 responses to “The Winter Quarters”
You are the busy little ant getting reading for winter.
Oh dear, such a short spell with your son. He’s done agreat job of the pig house though – I hope those sisters appreciate it!
Christine
My father set fire to our woodshed unfortunately. And not deliberately. I’ve just stumbled on a story from CNN that might be of interest: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/21/living/oprah-rancher/index.html?iref=obinsite. 🙂
I don’t know if you’ve previously done so, Celi, but I am so interested in how you cook over your wood stove. Winter prep is very strategic on the farmy. Lots of work! I think you are correct assessing eldest son’s return to work as a need to rest! oxo Debra
aah, Sheila and Charlotte’s cozy corner on the farm. You two have been busy!
Good to know your winter preparations are under way. I work the same way with the woodshed, but on a smaller scale. It makes a hell of difference on a morning of -8C if you can find what you’re looking for straight away:)
That is exactly right, one has to work fast in those temperatures.. c
Those autumn colours look beautiful. I always think that wood stacked up properly looks great, aside from the practical element.
Cinders…I’ve been away again and trying to catch up on all your posts! I love that second shot of your sheepys resting in the low rays of sunshine with your lovely barn in the background. Your son is still learning from you as you two work side by side preparing the farmy for the long, winter months to come! I’ve missed you!!
You have ben away too long.. take care now! cin
Hahaha…eldest son needs a break……back at work in Canada!
Amazing – we seem to have the same ‘wood shed’ system and mentality!! Reading your post reminded me of my kids saying “what difference does it make!!??” whenever I correct them about stacking the firewood correctly while I ‘supervise’ then eventually take over…..
It’s a great feeling to get the fall chores done isn’t it?
So interested in your wood stacking… I feel exactly the same, it’s a special little art to know what sort of wood is where, for what sort of burning, isn’t it!
i remember the days when my grandpa got the farm ready for winter. thank u for bringing back the memories for me
Guess besides the logic, there is also an art to stacking firewood. Thanks for the lesson in using a wood stove, never had one so had no idea what was involved.
I know just what you mean, about stacking firewood. I have a wood-burner at the bach, and I was taught by my father how to do a good stack. That knowledge never goes away. I keep the densest manuka logs for overnight burning, or for when the weather is really cold. Cabbage tree logs are good for start up, as is manuka brush. And the size of each log really matters. I too, try for a smoke free fire. It’s so satisfying to get a good fire going and to sustain it.
I can sense that end-of-season feeling in your post. Here we are bouncing into spring (with the usual setbacks).
That bach sounds just divine.. what a treat to have a retreat.. and I do agree that a good fire is immensely satisfying.,. c
Getting ready for winter…not yet! The fall just got here.
I am SO with you.. and there is so much to do yet! c
I’m shameful at stacking the wood–husband has tried to teach me!