There’s a buzz of excitement in the air this morning as everyone gets ready for the first day of harvesting. There’s still 2 hours to go as we wait for the early sun to burn off the morning dew then (in the words of Murray Walker F1 commentator) its GO GO GO. The sound of the engines from the combine, and tractors in the yard as we go through our final checks and discus the plan of action, make my nerves tingle. I’m sure we all hold our breath as the combine lowers its header and makes its first role into the barley. (I don’t think I breathe again until I’ve collected my first load)

Guaranteed there will be things that go wrong and something will need fixing, but you always hope it’s not on the first day of harvest. By the time the combine has done one round the field everyone relaxes and can enjoy watching the big red ladybird make her way across the land.

Lunch is being prepared as I type, by my wonderful dad, as it will be eaten in the field. I hope to have taught my dad how to grain haul by the afternoon so I can leave him to it while I make dinner, thought I think I should go and dig the potatoes out the garden now so its one less thing to do. I hope to be back later with good news of today’s yield.