bovril:

I'm going to buy a new rain gauge in the morning, the one I've got just isn't built for this level of drought

You don't need to buy a new one Bovril. The idea is that you empty the old one out after the rain. I realise that 'rain' may be a whole new concept to you all over on the East, but we've been coping with it for as long as I can remember.

Same applies to your Range Rover's, you don't have to buy a new one just because the ash tray is full.

welshnwilling:

Same applies to your Range Rover's, you don't have to buy a new one just because the ash tray is full.

welshnwilling:

bovril:

I'm going to buy a new rain gauge in the morning, the one I've got just isn't built for this level of drought

You don't need to buy a new one Bovril. The idea is that you empty the old one out after the rain. I realise that 'rain' may be a whole new concept to you all over on the East, but we've been coping with it for as long as I can remember.

AllyR, You are welcome. If you find there is anything else you want to know after you have had a chance to wade through it all, I will try to help.

bovril:

Solved it! A small crack in the rain gauge means it's not getting too full now!

There you go see, it's called make do and mend.

bovril:

I don't smoke. Maybe that's why I'm driving a 25 year old 110 pick-up!!

You're living proof that not smoking saves you money !

welshnwilling:

There you go see, it's called make do and mend.

if you mend it you will have more rain,

The drought is set to ease for a few days then re-start on monday

The barrel will be empty at this rate

Drought really starting to take hold now there is not even a bit of damp left in the ground

No water left for miles around, good job its a big barrel

henarar, Do you buy new barrels? If not, do you have a preference for what they held when new? Is American oak as good as French for the purpose?

I have been told that new barrels are no good for zider but we have never had one,I think maybe the cider would take the taste of the wood 

we use to be able to get fresh empty rum barrels from a firm not far away but they dont get them anymore, the rum that is in them if there is a little drain takes some drinking,

We have some barrels that are about ten yers old now and seem to keep good, others seem to go of after a few years

We bought one that had been empty for a few years with no cork in it this was no good

My uncle got hold of a ex whisky barrel it didnt make bad cider but had a bit of a funny taste to my mind

Thanks for responding. I asked because I only use plastic for my limited amount of "barely drinkable" wine and I know the problems of using old barrels - hence the use of plastic. Most of my neighbours use stainless steel - as do many commercial wineries now of course due to the cost and risks of oak barrels with a low cost wine. Even the best distilleries in the world (Dalmore, Glenmorangie etc) use ex Bourbon, Sherry or Port casks.

When you come over here on an FW Forum Members' Study Tour of "How Peasants Survive in Portugal" bring a bottle of yours and I will give you back a bottle of something much better than I can make.

old mcdonald:

When you come over here on an FW Forum Members' Study Tour of "How Peasants Survive in Portugal" bring a bottle of yours and I will give you back a bottle of something much better than I can make.

A few years ago I gave up on foreign travel on account of an irrational dislike of hanging around airports and all the hassle of lugging luggage around.

However, a FW  trip to see Old Mac (or KF) might just tempt me to one more peregrination before I go to that great terrminus in the sky.

Sounds good old mac but the cider would not travel well and i would like you to try it at its best and that is in the cider house out of the barrel

If you take slow gin we will never get there

It has not rained for a full 24 hours here. I am writing to the BBC asking them to report on 'desert conditions' in West Gloucestershire.

 Perfect weather here now, we can rarely say that.  Highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s, should help keep the wheat from shriveling so test weights will be good.

All I can offer you is iced tea at best Peter, I'd like to go back to the "poor people have poor ways" speech, but the truth is we aren't much for alcohol, strongest thing in this house is root beer.

 The latest US drought monitor is just out, shows a larger part of the country in the dry.  I am seeing the term "flash drought" used on some farm websites to describe the sudden hot dry weather.  My dad and I were able to agree on something earlier this week, that in itself is newsworthy, neither of us have ever seen it get so dry so fast, I didn't even know it could get this dry this fast after what seemed to be quite a bit of decent rain this spring.  Apparently we aren't the only ones, "flash drought" is a very good term for it.  If things continue this way, I can't help but think the grain markets are in for a wild ride.

I can bring some raspberry vodka

Thats the stuff to have

Nice on your cornflakes too!

kf, I like that expression "flash drought". After an alomost rainless winter and close to 4" of rain between 26 April and 5 May we are now beginning to burn off.

bogsworthy, One of my main interests in life is the production and consumption of alcohol. I do not eat cornflakes, but raspberry vodka intrigues me. Do you distill it?