Monday, 30 July 2012

Stopped in our tracks

Remember me saying that harvesting is a stressful time for farmers who are watching the weather and hoping to avoid the inevitable breakdowns.......when the sun shines it is all hands to the deck and hoping that the rain stays off, until the crop is brought in.


Remember the photos of my two youngest boys in the cab with big huge smiles.

Well yesterday marked the second day of harvesting our winter barley, but it did not all go quite according to plan.



Thankfully our neighbour and my hubby managed to jump out of the cab, but there was no time to save the combine.  From the garden where the boys and I were, we heard some massive 'boom' noises which were the fuel tank and tyres blowing, followed by plumes of thick black smoke.


The fire brigade arrived quickly and dowsed the burning field and combine, but unhappily it was already too late.

What a difference a day makes!  I am so thankful that everyone is safe and well........but feel so sad to see the state left behind.

16 comments:

  1. So glad no one was hurt. Do they know what caused the explosion?
    Anne xx

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  2. A machine like that is working hard in hot sunny conditions in a straw field which is perfect kindling I should think....it started out as a tiny bit of smoke, near the diesel tank, which grew so fast it was impossible to stop....the fire brigade said it was the second one they'd been to in a week, which I should imagine is saying something in a smallish rural area.....the tank which holds the corn was virtually full ready to offload, which again is a good source of fuel for a fire.....we are blessed that everyone was alright.

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  3. Hi Faith... oh my goodness, I'm so glad to hear that everyone is okay... what a scare you must all have had. Hugs to you all, Jill x

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  4. Oh no Faith, thankfully everyone was well and no one hurt but such a shame and pity.

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  5. Oh Faith, so sorry to hear about this. It's a miracle no-one was hurt but the loss if your harvest and harvester I'm sure will be a big blow to you and your family. Hope you can get through this difficult time.

    Take care,
    Helen xx

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    Replies
    1. It is actually our neighbour's harvester and hopefully all losses of his machine and our crop will be covered by insurance....

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    2. Oh thank goodness for insurance. Hope it all gets sorted for you without much stress

      Helen xx

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  6. Oh dear, Faith - I was glad to see your comment above about insurance. A combine is such a major capital expense. And what a pity about your crop. Farming takes a lot of faith, I think. (No pun intended.)

    What a blessing that everyone is okay.

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  7. Jeepers, that's awful Faith, so pleased that everyone is ok and nobody was harmed or injured! Also, good news with your insurance which should cover the losses. Sorry about your crop, is there some more that has still to be harvested? Take care, xox Penelope

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  8. I am glad your ohana is safe. I'm sorry that happened. Hot weather and big machinery? I hope this doesn't affect you too much.

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  9. Oh, my gosh! I am SO glad everyone is okay and that the insurance will cover things! Those angels definitely got their wings around you and your bunch!

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  10. Oh Faith, I am so sorry:-( You must have been so scared. Thankfully all your loved ones are safe and sound. Thank goodness. What a stressful summer for farmers...

    Stephanie

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  11. Oh Faith, I'm so sorry. I couldn't believe it when I saw the pictures!! I'm so glad everyone was Ok but so sorry about your loss of corn. ....and your poor neighbour....!!! What can one say. Take special care. Joan

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  12. Oh my goodness, so glad everyone escaped safely. A day to remember! I hope the insurance covers all losses.

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  13. Oh goodness, just catching up here, and yes, what a difference that day made. Just relieved to read that everyone was okay. But even with insurance what a nightmare!

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  14. OMG!!! I can't believe it! I've watched combines all my life on the farms I was surrounded by and I have never seen one catch on fire and "blow up" like that. Thank God no one was hurt. It looks awful! What does this do to your harvest? I hope you had insurance on it? I just can't get over it and the fact that no one was hurt! Whew!

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