So that’s the Ploughing done and dusted for another year. I would like to offer Anna May McHugh and her entire team my congratulations on what was an exceptionally well run event. I was on site at 7.30am each day and there was no trouble at all with traffic. It was even better getting out of the carpark, especially on Thursday evening – we were on the road in a few minutes. Thanks to Garda traffic management we even flew through Birr.

After great weather on Tuesday, the heavens opened on Wednesday and parts of the site were flooded. Straight away tankers were in draining off excess water and they stayed at it all night. On Thursday morning, extra mulch had been delivered to stands and everywhere was accessible. It could have been a different story without such prompt action.

I love my three days at the Ploughing. Neven Maguire’s cookery demonstrations are always packed and are great fun. Once upon a time we used to get to eat all the lovely things he made, but not anymore. Now the food is raffled off and we have a chef’s table where two people come on stage for a full three course meal. It’s a real treat.

Farmyard awards

Tuesday evening at the ploughing is always special with the presentation of the FBD Insurance National Farmyard Awards. Congratulations to the nine winners, all of whom will be profiled in Irish Country Living over the next few weeks (page 14).

This year we had the launch of our columnist Damien O’Reilly’s book ‘Country Wide’. Along with lovely personal anecdotes, the book is made up of a wide selection of the columns Damien has written for Irish Country Living over the years.

We also had the launch of ‘IFAC – The First 40 Years’. Since his retirement as chief executive Willie Fahy has certainly put his time to good use researching and writing this informative book. It’s great on detail about the state of farming prior to joining the EEC and there’s lots of photos of well-known people when they were much younger.

The best thing about the Ploughing for me though is all the people I meet. It could be somebody I was in school with, a neighbour or someone I wrote about years ago. And it’s always great to have a catch-up.

The worst thing is packing a bag for three very long days that will cover every situation. Do I bring boots and wellies and even smart shoes if I’m making a presentation? How will I keep the hair looking presentable? And this reminds me of a little story.

When I was growing up we only had ‘yard’ clothes and ‘good’ clothes. There was a clear distinction between them so even to this day I find it difficult to downgrade my good clothes to yard status.

A few weeks ago I was visiting my daughter in Naas and I called into the Country Market in the middle of the town (open Fridays after 9am to about 1pm).

I was wearing worn out runners, a hoodie and what were very definitely ‘yard’ pants. I was only in the door when I heard my name being called and I was given a great welcome. The state of me, I was mortified. So, good clothes or yard clothes its ok as long as you are in the right ones for the occasion.