Since I am now able to live in France for a longer period of time, and also in the country, I see the farmers driving their tractors on the small roads through the hills in Auvergne. Some of them still drive very old one's. That seemed to me so relaxed and exciting that I decided to buy an old tractor as well. After a long period of search and inquiries I finally arrived at a farmer who still had one stored in his barn.

This machine looked so old and rusty that it seemed ready for the scrap-heap. After a little bargaining about the price I decided to buy it. I would return the next day to pick it up. Upon arrival the tractor was already parked outside on a hill near his farm. The farmer stepped up, let it ride of f the hill, and after a little while, when the tractor gained some speed he put him in the appropriate gear, released the clutch and drove around his farm. I found it a bit weird because usually it should be started just like a car. So, engage the clutch, put it in it's first gear and drive away with it. It became all the more strange when the farmer drove my recently acquired possession uphill and on top of the hill parked the vehicle. He asked me to try also. So, release the brake, gain some speed, engage the clutch, put it in it's proper gear and drive. Luckily I succeeded in doing so. After a couple of circles around the farm, I nodded happily to the farmer, who gesticulated to park the tractor on top of the hill. It did surprise me that the tractor should be standing on top of the hill after every ride. But because of my enthusiasm I still did not realize why it could not just be parked on the road. After a couple of wines with the farmer and his wife I decided to leave.