NOTHING ever stays still. As world communication improves dramatically, British farming will either stagnate or move into reverse gear.
Given its track record, the latter is more likely, unfortunately.
I’ve been given an insight into the power of modern communications by my current trip to the Far East.
After more than 30 years of toil and graft on the farm, I decided to spend spring in far more pleasant climes rather than endure the daily chore of lambing which has been my lot at this time of year.
Do I miss the farming which has been so much a part of my life for so long? The answer is an emphathic “no”: I had done it for so long, it was time for a change (even if the timing wasn’t of my choosing, having been forced or cajoled into selling my farm late last year).
But what seemed a very dramatic and awful thing at the time, now seems to have a silver lining.
So far this year we have cruised around the Caribbean and we now sit overlooking the blue sea in Thailand. My excuse is that I am visiting my son and his new wife here.
Lambing in Wales or strolling along the beach in Thailand? It's a tough decision but someone has to make it
I’ve not yet had much chance to observe the local agriculture - so far my only experience has been of a hair-raising journey in a taxi along the hard shoulder of a newly creating motorway whilst my driver had a race with his friend to Pattaya.
As we head north to the scene of the Bridge over the River Kwai, perhaps I’ll get to know a little more about paddy fields etc.
How is this blog possible? Wireless connectivity meant I was able to use my newly acquired laptop to connect to the internet at Doha airport.
I can now use it from my hotel room whilst you all remain in bed (six hours ahead here) before another heavy day of swimming, ambling down to the beach to make the most of the sea breeze and yet more sleep to make up for all these busy nights.
