Yesterday there was a dreadful smell in the air and while looking out of the window I noticed smoke from a nearby field.  Apparently some straw bales had been deliberately set alight and fire quickly spread destroying 38 bales and threatening two adjacent woods and overhead power lines.  Four neighbouring farms sent machinery to help and as I could not walk along my usual paths I took some photos from higher up the field when the fire was under control with one of the farm machines just visible beside the pylon.  A neighbour took the drone photo this morning.  The workers did a really good job as grass was burnt within two metres of the nearest wood.  Farmers must be anxious each year until their bales are collected as it is not an uncommon occurrence.
The wheat was cut on the 12th last week and today the remaining bales were being removed from the burnt field and the huge field opposite our house, also visible in the photo.  I find it very interesting watching the progress of the arable year here and no doubt within days the field will be prepared for seeding either a green manure crop or grain.  The last time wheat was harvested here was 2020 on September 17 but three years before, the wheat was cut on August 15 so this year is the earliest wheat harvest.