I decided the time was right to start reinforcing the bank behind the tractor shed and building the bank up to straighten the run for the fencing. I'd hoped to get Darren back to do it, but he's far too busy hay making and I want to shift the earth before the weather breaks.
As he had left it, the bank behind the shed had a curve to it which would make getting a decently taut fence in neigh on impossible. There are convenient large trees at the stream edge, and I'd obtained four massive electricity poles that had been replaced on our field. The plan being to rest them against the trees as retainers, and compact earth behind them, bringing the bank up so that the top was reasonably straight.
Obviously over time the electricity poles will rot, but by that time the Hazel and Willow saplings that I will plant will have rooted and hold it all together.
First job - extend one of the roof drain pipe by 1 metre so it terminates beyond the new barrier. Then carefully roll a pole down the bank - this one was great fun as it had to be slotted under the roof drain - these poles are over 35 foot long and weigh something just over a ton - great fun with just me and the JCB803 - oh for a banksman !
Then I moved 20 tons of earth from the field where I've had it stock piled for some time, and back filled behind the pole.
Second pole was easy by comparison, just roll it into place, poke it with the digger to final location, and start back filling. I've two more poles to do, and about 120 tons of earth to ram behind them, but that's a job for tomorrow as the pigs want feeding