Fishing in the moonlight

Come on, who doesn’t love a tractor? Especially a classic tractor or one with some 30 or more years of hard graft under its belt. For me, the simpler a tractor is, the more I am drawn to it. There is something honest about a machine, built well and simply, that is as tough as, and does its job day after day. It’s probably the era I grew up in, but I can look at a classic tractor and easily see how it does its tasks.

“Oh yeah, that pushes that, so it drives that to spin that, and lifts that arm like that above that thing.”

I have only seen contemporary tractors at Fieldays and they are just the opposite of these good old boys featured in our article on Colin Harvey on page 4.

Every bell and whistle is in and on these puppies, and to me tractors are now like spaceships. Heated cabs, wi-fi, Bluetooth, GPS, etc. Geez, Netflix is probably on board there too!

I have always thought in my declining years I would get my own tractor but I’m not so sure any more.

I am extremely fortunate to have access to a friend’s bach north of Auckland and I go there as often as I am able. The house has a view of the water and the beach is very, very tidal, so the only way to launch a boat at low tide is with a tractor. One of my great joys in life currently is watching the neighbours hook up their boats to go fishing at sunset or after dark. Quite often it seems, many head out on a bright or full moon.

I enjoy watching a flurry of chugging David Browns and Massey Fergusons, et al., scurrying across the sand with fully kitted fishing boats in tow. With their headlights on and all this activity bathed in moonlight, this really is my kind of Netflix.

And, the amazing thing is, that in a few hours they all start coming back in again and I get an encore performance!

I often wonder if they have any spare fish and if maybe I should wander down to say hi. Too obvious? I s’pose you are right.

Early summer is an especially great time for my tractor fetish. If I am lucky enough I see neighbours arrive at the beach, and some are starting up their tractors for the first time in a while, maybe six months or more. You hear their tractors eventually burst into life and then you see guys giving them a bit of a hoon around the streets to loosen up all the mechanics. I tell ya, the loud chuckles and the accompanying huge grins on these guys’ faces says a lot about what a big boys’ toy is for some of us.

So all going well, on a full moon or two over summer, the next episode of my favourite TV show will take place again, just off the deck in front of me.

Finally, a Merry Christmas from all of the gang here at The Shed. Have a great and safe summer holiday, kick back, relax, and we will see you again in the New Year.

By the way, don’t forget to put up your 2020 Shed calendar in a spot for all to enjoy. Unfortunately, no tractors in this one; maybe next year.