Page 151 - IT'S A RUM LIFE BOOK FOUR Volume 1 "Northcote 1984 to 1998"
P. 151
BUT it would pull it! And In top gear too.
The land rover had died of rust worm several years ago and we just did not have any
funds to replace it.
WHY A LORRY
After a Land Rover and trailer hit the national headlines earlier this year by running off the
road near Doncaster and derailed an express train killing a large number of folk, we have
been thinking again!
A lorry was what we really needed. Something with a large capacity engine and not
expensive.
I had seen one advertised in the Farmers Guardian. But it was in Lancashire.
Foot and Mouth was all over the West Country and North West at this time in 2001, but not
in Lancashire!
If we were going to do anything it had to be quick.
A week or so passed and I said nothing, could we really afford £500?
Friday arrived and John was day off. They both tackled me again so I told them about this
lorry.
Within the hour we had phoned and it was still there. We are very democratic here at
Northcote! The majority decision was go for it, if it is any good at all!
WE'RE OFF
We took the little red Subaru truck and by 2pm we had arrived at Garstang, Lancashire. By
gum it is hilly up there.
Right on the edge of the Moors almost on the way back into Yorkshire we found the mill.
The Lorry had been used for local deliveries but recently they had been encouraging
farmers to collect for themselves more and more.
It was a curtain sider, 16-foot body but the cab was filthy. Inside that is.
The lorry ran well, big 6-cylinder engine and its maintenance record was up to date despite
not being taxed for six months.
It was out of test too, but I suppose you can’t have everything for £500.
We did the deal, loaded the little red truck into the back of the “curtain sider” and drove
home, (about 300 miles).
We hadn’t had time to tell my wife Ruth!
She was the wage earner in our marriage!
She was expecting me to be at home and coward that I am I asked John to phone her and
explained that we had been delayed.
EXPLANATIONS
