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Three Men Went To Mow!
On Saturday 8th of March our long wait was over......today was the day....how have we contained our excitement over the last three months, once we knew that we were going to be given / lent a gang mower to try out....free of charge!. The day did not start well. Ron's car went dead stick just as he arrived at Birchwood (clutch burnt out), and as he had the trailer and the only tow hook............. After a quick rethink, the trailer was attached by some serious knot tying to the back of Simons trusty Fiesta (1.1LX), and driven carefully round to "the barn" where our glittering prize was awaiting us......its fellow mowers watched enviously at the thought of one of their 'gang' going to a new and caring home.
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| This prized item was carefully manoeuvred out of the barn and tied to the top of the trailer...I am sure I saw its tyres screw up at the bright light it had not witnessed for many a year, a solitary rat stood by the barn door and waved a fond farewell. |  |
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After a bumpy drive to the flying site, and more head scratching the mower was attached to our shiny tractor. Its new coat of paint complimented the green / rust of the mower (if you looked carefully).
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After the pre-flight checks Ron mounted the tractor. A hush fell over the crowd (Me and Dave). Birds stopped building nests. The gamekeeper stopped shooting them. The ignition was switched on........we waited..........and waited..............and waited, but the mechanical monster would not be woken from its slumber.
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More thinking ensued, it started to rain and the pre-start check list was checked again.....and again. Luckily we had an ace engineer in our midst in the form of Dave the "I've got an idea" Whitfield......."change the plug that might work."
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The tractor frowned as I messed about with its innards, a small tear drop appeared from the left hand headlamp as I took a hacksaw (only a junior one), to its stomach to gain access to its forbidden fruits. After the deed had been done Ron took a steely grip of the wheel in anticipation "Switches on"........"Mags on".....CONTACT! The green marvel of engineering shook off the surely bonds of winter inactivity, and under Ron’s dextrous control burst into life once more. After minor adjustments to the mower (and in yet more pouring rain) Ron completed a celebration lap of the pits with grass cuttings being flung out in gay abandon......Success at last. Let’s just hope we get the summer that our new mower deserves!! Simon. |
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