Froze hard overnight. Temperature was about 28 but with the wind it was colder. After yesterday’s rain the freeze created a coating of ice on everything. Ladder to tanks, tank covers, valves, collecting tank cover, flaps for steam on the coopla: all iced up. A hammer tap broke most of the ice, but we had to be careful on the ladder. Didn’t start to melt until after Noon. Trees tried to drip, but not much happening.

Because of the ice it took longer to get the R/O going. We hoped for a short day, but that didn’t work out. It was 9:00 AM before the R/O was going. Finished at 11:30 AM. Four batches into the milk can. Done cooking by 2:30 PM.

We planned to bottle again. But another valve problem. This time with the propane tank. The regulator (a type of valve) failed. Tried lighting the burners to wash out the syrup pan. Got a small fireball because the regulator was releasing too much propane. That regulator was about 45 years old so it served us well. But when things fail as we try to use them, it sets our work back. Got a new regulator this afternoon, but too late for bottling. Try tomorrow.

Snow forecast for tonight: 1”-2”.

Into the woods by 7:15 AM. Back to the farmhouse by 4:45 PM.