There is never a convenient moment for a tractor to break down, but the timing of this incident was particularly unfortunate. Late April had been exceptionally dry, as forecast, and with a shift in weather patterns, the birdfood seed urgently needed to be sown. This specific crop is intended to bridge the winter hunger gap for birds and must be planted within a narrow window: after the early May frosts but before the soil becomes too dry.
We had just delivered the trailer of seed to the field and were heading back to the farm on the road to collect the rolls that press the seed into the soil. As we passed through Brigg, warning lights appeared on the dashboard, and steam began to rise from the bonnet. This was our smallest and newest tractor. We hastily pulled into a driveway, with water pouring from beneath the engine. Stuck half on and half off the road, we started to accumulate traffic behind us. A quick inspection confirmed that a call to the tractor dealers was necessary—it was a complex repair, and time was running short.
Unfortunately, part of the traffic jam included a school bus carrying around 30 children, who were now late for their scheduled day trip to our farm. These induction visits are a regular activity we conduct with the Country Trust charity, aimed at educating young people about the origins of their food. As we waited by the roadside, several windows filled with waving schoolchildren only added to our embarrassment.
By the time we returned, the children had already toured the crops and were enjoying their packed lunches, unaware that instead of being photographed with the small tractor as planned, they would have to make do with the forklift. We finished the day around dusk—so late that the barn owl was already out—exhausted after cramming the remaining work into fewer hours. However, the children had an exceptional experience on a real working farm, and the bird food was sown and rolled. The bank balance was significantly lighter than at the start of the day, but this machinery is essential for the farm's operations. Tractors can cost as much as a house, so we work them hard, and breakdowns are inevitable. This one is now fully operational again, earning its keep once more.
