We plough the fields and cycle

This is best viewed large as you can see the tattoo on the ploughman's back, looking exactly like one of his horses, and also see the tractors in the distance better

Today five of us cycled to the Warwickshire village of Wixford, where the Forest of Arden Agricultural Society’s annual Ploughing and Hedging Competition was being held.

I was very nervous (not about the ploughing match – we were only spectators) but about the cycle to get there. My expeditions so far I have burdened only Technophobe with, but this was a whole new kettle of fish – an additional three strangers. Well, not exactly strangers. One was our friend G, who you may remember came to the Kayak Club with Technophobe and I earlier this week, and the other two were Loosecanon, and my husband, Nikonabike. We eventually arrived at the farm where the show was being held, after about 1,000 stops. That was the others, waiting patiently for me as I tried to catch up with them. Technophobe gallantly stayed behind me as rear guard, as we braved the numerous trailers and 4 X 4s heading to the show.

The show was extremely interesting. There were classes for horse ploughing, vintage tractors, cereal classes, mounted ploughs, trailing ploughs, single furrow ploughs, little grey “Fergies”, and all sorts of other things, most of which we hadn’t a clue about, but we could see that the competitors were extremely skilfull and dedicated. There was also a marquee for what they called “Ladies Competitions” which was a produce show, with vegetables, homemade jams, handicraft and baking.

We ate a huge ploughman’s lunch – I’m sure ploughmen don’t normally eat as much as that, or they wouldn’t want to go back in the afternoon. This was followed by delicious apple pie and cream. We then strolled over to see the hedge-laying which was in the field furthest away. Whilst over there we heard (well LooseCanon heard) a helicopter approaching. It then flew directly over us, so we gave a wave just in case. The helicopter was a beautiful plum shade – not your normal chopper colours! And sure enough, when we arrived back at the main arena, Princess Anne came in to present the prizes.

I didn’t think you’d want a picture of Princess Anne, as you’ve probably seen millions of those, so here is a chap ploughing with his horses. In the distance under his reins you can see some of the vintage tractor classes, and to the left what I believe to be a hand plough. The ground in this field where the horses were working was extremely dry and stoney, and they were having to work very hard. The field where the vintage tractors were seemed to be much easier ground to work.

We waved cheerio to P.A. and made our merry way back home (nothing to do with the local cider consumed with our lunch). The others were chatting and laughing – I was red-faced and puffing, but so pleased that I’d done it (I had considered chickening out first thing and driving there!).