I felt sorry for the men replacing the electricity poles in the pouring rain this week. They arrived here up the end of the lane just as I'd lit the wood-burner so were accidentally smoked out for a little while too.
It's interesting watching workmen working - seeing something done that they do all the time but I'll only see once, but as they were so close to the house I didn't like to stand and stare too much. If Colin had still been alive he would have stood out there talking to them for ages - I just made them a cuppa!
The old pole that was taken down was riddled with woodpecker holes, it's been on the list for replacing for at least 3 years but was now being done as part of a much wider programme of up-grading, across the fields for over a mile.
 |
| Arriving up the end of the lane, 2 Trucks, One van and 4 men |
 |
| The new pole nearly upright |
 |
| Woodpecker holes in the old pole. |
I also think Col would have said "you can leave the old pole here - it might come in handy for something" although it would be too tarry for cutting up for the wood-burner so no idea what it could be used for. Thankfully they took it away.
3 hours later they were all done, the new pole in and wires reconnected. Electricity for this bit of the village has been supplied all week by a huge generator, installed several fields away out of hearing distance - but will be switched back to mains later today.
They don't use big pottery insulators anymore, the man told me the new ones are a sort of rubber mixed with something that doesn't rot, an invention from the USA, much lighter and less likely to break. He said the pole should last 40 or 50 years although nowadays they have to replace more because of woodpecker damage than they do due to rot.
I’m sitting here worrying about the woodpeckers!
ReplyDeleteI reckon they had a headache! Although I've never seen or heard one on the pole - the holes must have been there for ages.
DeleteThe weather has been pretty dreadful here in the last 24 hours, wet and windy. I'm grateful for those who work outside in such conditions to ensure people have vital services like power and water.
ReplyDeleteThe weather has caused problems with the work as one farmer stopped them going on his field. We are now back on mains supply
DeleteIt certainly is fascinating watching people working in such extreme conditions.
ReplyDeleteThey must get so wet and cold through the winter months
DeleteAren't woodpeckers chasing food when they do that? Surely they don't just make holes for the destructive fun of it? And if there is food in there, doesn't that mean the pole is already on its way out? Maybe the woodpeckers are doing a sterling job of early warning. What sort of tree/wood are the poles made of - did you find out? Great process to watch though - one was done in front of our apartment earlier this year (lockdown entertainment). Unfortunately it was crumbling concrete so not nearly so interesting as woodpecker holes. They came along the street again this week and replaced all the street lights. We guess they are some new fangled energy saving thing (which we approve of), but the design is more techno than pleasingly aesthetic.
ReplyDeleteNo idea why they hammer away on telegraph poles - the damage didn't go very far inside
DeleteI would find that interesting. Did you take out some mugs of hot steaming tea for them?
ReplyDeleteA cuppa and cake!
DeleteWhat an interesting day you had Sue, it was a lovely day yesterday but at the moment it's pouring of rain at the moment and 4 of my men/women in the immediate family are working outside. We have the sheep in the field outside of my house and they dint seem to mine the weather. Enjoy your day what ever you plan on doing Sue I think after tidying up I will be getting my crocheting out and hopefully phoning a friend.
ReplyDeleteHazel c uk 🌈🌈🌈
The weather forecast is pretty dire for several days now.
DeleteIt's been an odd job day here today.
They did one near us recently. The pole handling machines are interesting to watch. At one time they would have had to manoeuvre them in manually.
ReplyDeleteThe mechanics of the truck which has a post hole borer, a lifter and positioner all in one and operated by remote control too- Clever stuff
DeleteThose wood pecker holes are amazing.
ReplyDeleteThe holes had been there for ages and 3 times it has been inspected and I was told it was going to be done a year ago. Finished now for many years
DeleteSame here. A few years ago the poles right across Central Norfolk were replaced. A team came from Ireland to do it. I was out there with them a lot and they kept their vehicles at my house for a few days. I enjoyed listening to their tales of nights out in Norwich, a night in the cells for one or two of them, but always back to work bright and early each morning. They even invited me to join them on a night out! Their lives were as fascinating as the work they were doing.
ReplyDeleteIt was much too wet to stand outside when they were working here
DeleteIt was Springtime one year.
DeleteI would have been tempted to ask them to leave the pole. Don't know what for, unless it could be utilised as a bug hotel, but it would make an interesting garden feature! xx
ReplyDeleteA bit big for a garden feature!
DeleteThat's quite the holey electric pole! Kind of you to give them a cuppa. I gave team who did our gutters some snacks when they were done. Leader said it would give them some energy. Kind bars. Have a good day!!🐇🐰🐇
ReplyDeleteTomorrow I am going to check our power pole for woodpecker holes. I do hear them pecking away at the pole every so often.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I had no idea that wood peckers were a problem on power poles. Interesting. In Hawaii we worry more about termites.
ReplyDeleteYep, Alan would have been stood chatting to them too, and we would have kept the old pole. They are good for using as a 'raised bed' side for a wild looking area of the garden, but not much else as like you say they are treated.
ReplyDelete