Archive Article: 2002/07/19
Charlie King is a 19-year-
old first year, studying an
HND in Agriculture at
Bicton College in Devon
NO sooner had the first year at college ended than I was called up for work at my summer job.
As my spraying examiner promised, a 24m Bateman is certainly quite different from a tractor mounted "knapsack" sprayer.
I did have a quick "play" in a field of beans, but recent good weather has meant that haylage bales and the associated tedding, rowing up, stacking and hauling have taken priority leaving little time for much else.
Indeed, it is only a wet day that has allowed me to finish at a sensible enough hour to stay awake and contemplate writing this.
Its great to be accumulating, rather than spending money for a change, though this will inevitably be short lived come Sept 16 when college resumes.
Having moaned about accommodation prices, I decided to bite the bullet and fork out for cheaper non-ensuite facilities, though Im still waiting for verification of a place.
Our band Tweka hadnt played since a charity event in March but was revived in a matter of days. Practices on the Thursday and Friday were enough to ensure confidence and a successful gig on the Saturday. We obviously operate better under pressure.
I have a decidedly busier life than a course-mate who got out of his tree one night in the last few weeks at college – quite literally! The 20-or-so foot drop to the concrete below meant that he broke three bones and fractured four toes in his foot.
After almost making it through a year at college, I have received my marching orders from my girlfriend of a year-and-a-half who is studying nursing at Southampton University. Ill let you know how it progresses, if at all.
To add to my depression, I have just realised that in the short time its taken me to write this article, I have earnt the same money I did bouncing up and down in a tractor seat all day.