One of the recurring jokes in France is the nature of the folk that live in my region, la Creuse. They are portrayed in the media as backward paysan and there’s even a comedy franchise built around the fictional Bodin family (think the Archers crossed with Mrs Browns Boys). Unfortunately even the cruellest of stereotypes has a scintilla of truth at its core.
I was sitting in the car outside the Bourganeuf Aldi today in town (other supermarkets are available) when a tractor pulled up outside the car park. Imagine my surprise (and amusement) when the driver nipped into the store did his shopping then calmly loaded his purchases into the front bucket of the tractor. I took this photo as proof so the current Mrs Broom wouldn’t think I was having another cowboys and Indians moment (see much earlier post).
Thought I’d share it with you.
 |
| Difficult to see from my phone camera shot but he’s loading the bucket of the tractor from his shopping trolley. Lol. |
Toodleooh mes amis.
Now I’d call that initiative.
ReplyDeleteWell I suppose so, after a fashion. I suspect he may just be heading off back across the fields rather than using the roads.
DeleteI’ll be impressed if he does the kids ‘school run’ in it as well!
ReplyDeleteDon’t be silly Norm, the kids don’t go to school here, there’s always too much work on the farm to be indulging in all that new fangled book learning.
DeleteDoesn't sound very cost-effective from a fuel consumption perspective? But then, from your description of the locals, maybe that never crossed his mind.
ReplyDeleteI suspect the fuel he uses is heavily subsidised by the French government, Dai. The farmers rule the roost out here.
DeleteDai, Out West, farm fuel is not taxed so grocery runs in the tractor may make economic sense in France too?
DeleteI love it - and it's eminently sensible, though it may be just that his old 2CV has broken down..
ReplyDeleteThese rural types just get on with stuff, don't worry about what others think, especially that lot from Departement 75.. :)
Here in Suffolk we have classic tractor shows, which is a lovely touch - 'never mind your MGB GT, look at my original Fergie!'
They are definitely a law unto themselves!
DeleteA very practical gentleman in my opinion JBM! With the kitchen on the second floor he can raise the bucket up and the missus can unload for him. đ
ReplyDeleteSaves such a lot of hassle doesn’t it. Tres pratiquĂ©.
DeleteExcellent. See if you can catch Aldi unloading the morning deliveries from a big combine.
ReplyDeleteBy Jove I think you have come up with the next stage of vertical integration in the agri-retail space. Straight from the field to the shelf! A combine that harvests and makes the loaf.
DeleteChris/Nundanket
Tee hee. It wouldn’t surprise me if they did.
DeleteI love it when you talk dirty Chris
DeleteI’ll tip my chapeau to that gentleman. Who needs a Chelsea Tractor to do the shopping when you’ve got a real one.
ReplyDeleteChris/Nundanket
Too true mate.
DeleteGrowing up on in farm/ranch country in rural NW USA, this would not be an uncommon sight. I have seen farmhands drive their tractor to the bar at lunch time and then nap it off asleep in the bucket of a frontloader.
ReplyDeleteI can just imagine that, lol.
DeleteWell why not use the bucket when you get all those lovely subsidies from the French government and European Union;)! The farming lobby is certainly very powerful in France, that's for sure...
ReplyDeleteProbably best to keep the people feeding us happy I think, rather than funnelling equally eye watering amounts of public money into the pockets of politicians and their fast track cash for access business cronies, n’est ce pas?
DeleteMy first thought when I read the title of your post JBM, was "Oh, I bet YOU could!" I am surprised the farmer has time to use his tractor for shopping though, isn't it needed somewhere to protest against raising the retirement age to 37? :)
ReplyDeleteNow, now… lol.
DeleteDon’t be silly - even Macron wouldn’t dare raise it to 37.
True fact by the way, French women can knock 1 year off their retirement age for every child they produce.
Well....."La Liberté" by EugÚne Delacroix is bird with her tits out, isn't it??
DeleteYeah - she’s just getting them out for the lads.
DeleteVery sensible when you're running on pink diesel!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
I wonder what the fuel economy is like on that. Might have missed a trick there. Maybe should have had one of them instead of the kadjar.
DeleteQuoi? C’est pratique!
ReplyDeleteC’est vrai.
Delete