August 6^th 1982

 
Heavy rain and thunder last night causing another No6 wire to break in the hop yard. The hopyard is like a giant cats cradle. Heavy gauge wires stretch  across the  area of hop roots at a height of 16 feet, held up by a succession of straight pine or chestnut poles. Across and at right angles to this wire is stretched the No 6 wire onto which is hooked the string which acts as a climbing aid for the hop shoots.

 
The problems start when, as the wire starts to degrade due in part to the chemicals that are forever around hops to control the many diseases and pests, after heavy rain or wind the wires break one by one until the complete unit collapses. This is a disaster and involves rapid repairs in all weathers and at any time of day or night.  

 
I’m afraid if this  wet and windy weather keeps up, I have many wet hours to spend and many sleepless nights until the crop is harvested. I sometimes wonder why I bother – there must be an easier way to make a living.

 
Like growing cereals for instance. Sold a 25 tonne load of this years winter  barley which yielded about 2.5 tonne per acre for animal feed. Selling at £100 per ton and a  load of hay for 75p per bale, helps to ease the cash flow at this most important time of year. The whole farming year hinges on the performance of the harvested crops over the next month. So it’s exciting and worrying all at the same time.