Tractor’s on Fire

September 24th 2009, by

Another mini-disaster movie. Maybe it’s just not our year…

16 comments

  • James Thomas replied:

    Thats pretty messed up mate. Was the crop wasted>?

    September 27th, 2009 at 8:15 am. Permalink.

  • Gavin replied:

    James
    Yes. It was on the side of the road in the heat for too long, on top of which the cover of the trailer had been splattered with the contents of a fire extinguisher. The grapes inside are now part of the insurance claim – 2800 litres of potential juice lost. That's about 3600 bottles of wine, or 600 cases of 6.

    September 28th, 2009 at 4:42 am. Permalink.

  • Anabele Matthews replied:

    Watching youtube film of the tractor fire with mouths open (although smiling at soundtrack….) Really bad news – what else can happen this year? Roll on 2010 for all good season. love to all, happy tractor shopping! xx

    September 29th, 2009 at 3:11 pm. Permalink.

  • Gavin replied:

    Thanks Anabelle, glad you liked the track. Feels like Chateau Fawlty around here. Much love, Gavin.

    September 30th, 2009 at 8:54 am. Permalink.

  • Rebecca Gibb replied:

    Hi Gavin,

    Oh dear – one thing after another.

    Sending you best wishes for a better season in 2010,

    Rebecca

    September 30th, 2009 at 10:32 am. Permalink.

  • Jimmy KP replied:

    i presume that is 'farmed' smoked sauvignon as opposed to 'organic' smoked sauvignon.

    October 1st, 2009 at 9:16 am. Permalink.

  • Ronan replied:

    Not your most lucky year so far Gav,

    That must have been one hell of a fire there's nothing left!

    Good soundtrack,

    Cheers Ronan

    October 2nd, 2009 at 3:59 pm. Permalink.

  • Sannah replied:

    Can't believe we have only just seen this disaster movie. We continue to be amazed at your creative ability in the face of adversity.Here's to a better 12 months ahead xx

    October 5th, 2009 at 3:02 pm. Permalink.

  • Gavin replied:

    Thanks Sannah. On the creative bit, the BMW ad sprang to mind at first when I saw the tractor. It's not what we make, it's what we make you feel: deep f***ing joy. (Thankfully, I don't catch that ad that often, as the smugness of it is beginning to grate).
    Later, I figured that the Kings of Leon wouldn't object to a little video clip of our tractor with 71 views on YouTube, compared to 22,000,000 for their original version.
    Love, G

    October 5th, 2009 at 11:57 pm. Permalink.

  • nicola replied:

    Gav , brings a whole new meaning to thermovinification , however also rumored to be part of a protest against EU wine regulation . PLease confirm .

    October 9th, 2009 at 11:40 am. Permalink.

  • julian dolman replied:

    Bloody hell. And the poor tractor driver burnt to a crisp as well! Julian

    October 16th, 2009 at 5:20 am. Permalink.

  • Gavin replied:

    Julian, sad but true. Thanks and best regards.

    October 16th, 2009 at 11:45 am. Permalink.

  • Gavin replied:

    Nics, never tried thermovinification. Sounds painful. As for EU wine regulation, I haven't spent too much time worrying about that. Is there something I should be protesting about? But you know me, I like to conform. Gavin

    October 16th, 2009 at 12:02 pm. Permalink.

  • Ems replied:

    I like some toast to my white, but this is taking it a bit far. As ever, slow to catch on but just seen this and can't believe it…! You are the epitome of KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON. Much love xxx

    October 18th, 2009 at 2:04 am. Permalink.

  • Gavin replied:

    Hi Em – yes, a nice toasty white. In fact I spent some time arguing with the loss adjuster after we'd towed the gently smoldering trailer back to the chateau. He reckoned that once we had fermented the juice, no one would notice the difference if we blended all the white wine together. We've actually fermented the juice, after pressing, in a small tank separately, if only to prove the point that he's got it slightly wrong. It's worth doing though as the insurance claim is for the contents of over 3500 bottles. Plus one tractor.

    As for keeping calm, it was such a surreal scene – and a bit of a shock – that it wasn't the moment to lose one's discipline. To be fair, the emergency services and police were swift off the mark. What you didn't see was my answer to the Gendarme in charge, after he questioned me about how I was going to move it. I replied as if I had a wealth at experience of removing burnt-out tractors from main roads in rural France. I think that if you give them the impression that you're in control, they're fine. Panic and you're in the shite.

    Lots of love

    Gavin x

    October 18th, 2009 at 6:10 am. Permalink.

  • David and Sally Cros replied:

    Gavin and Angela .. our condolences on the loss of your old friend but We're sure that the Phoenix which will arise from the ashes will be a good substitute . In the meantime , I suggest you pack up the Gauloises whilst you are driving .. no good for you anyway !

    October 20th, 2009 at 12:39 pm. Permalink.

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