Late summer's straw sentries

      The big circular, drum-like straw bales are a firm part of the late summer landscape in arable farming areas like West Norfolk standing there like straw sentries guarding the landscape. These are not quite the largest size which weigh just over one ton but they are big enough, there are smaller 'old-fashioned' brick shaped rectangular versions that one man can man-handle around, but not these.
      The terriers detest that stubble, the straw that is still standing catches and scratches their underside and spikes their paws too, if I walk out into the field they just sit down and stare or return to the orchard to hunt on more comfortable ground.

      The farmer had about forty acres under wheat that he was growing for next year's seed and he was grudgingly pleased with a yield of about 4.5 tons per acre for what is a prime crop and he beat the rain too.
      The bailing was all done in about six hours and a local stockman will take it all away for winter bedding for his animals then it will be returned to fields as manure and continue the cycle nourishing and improving the ground for the next crop.