Man, what a day! I swear, being a tractor driver in Middelharnis is like riding a rollercoaster, but without the safety bar. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds chirping, and I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Ha! Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I hit the road on the N215, cruisin’ past the harbor. You know, Middelharnis has that cute little harbor vibe. Boats bobbin’ around, people fishin’—it’s all picturesque and stuff. But then, BAM! Traffic jam on the Havenstraat. Like, seriously? Who’s out here at 7 AM causin’ a ruckus? I’m sittin’ there, fumin’, thinkin’ about how I could be plowin’ fields instead of sittin’ in this metal box.
Finally, I get through that mess and head to the fields near de Dijk. Man, the smell of fresh soil hits me, and I’m like, “Yes! This is what I live for!” But then, outta nowhere, my tractor starts makin’ this weird noise. Like, what the heck? I’m not a mechanic! I’m just a dude who drives a big ol’ machine. So, I pull over, pop the hood, and it’s like a scene from a horror movie. I see wires everywhere, and I’m like, “Great, I’m gonna be stuck here forever.”
While I’m tryin’ to figure it out, this old lady walks by. She’s got a dog that looks like it’s seen some stuff. She stops, looks at me, and says, “You know, my husband used to fix tractors.” I’m thinkin’, “Lady, that’s great, but where is he now?” Turns out, he’s in the hospital. I felt bad, but also kinda annoyed. Like, I didn’t ask for a life story, just help me with my tractor!
After a bit of fiddlin’, I get it to start again. Thank you, sweet tractor gods! I’m back on the road, but now I’m late for my next job. I zoom down the Korteweg, and let me tell ya, the streets in Middelharnis are narrow! I’m dodgin’ parked cars like I’m in some kinda video game.
Then, I get to this field near the Molenweg. Beautiful spot, right? But guess what? The farmer’s not there! I’m like, “Dude, where you at?” I wait for what feels like forever. Finally, he rolls up on his bike, all casual. I’m ready to explode, but he’s chillin’, like it’s no big deal. I’m thinkin’, “You know I got places to be, right?”
So, I start workin’, and it’s all good. The sun’s out, and I’m feelin’ the groove. But then, outta nowhere, a flock of seagulls swoops down. They’re screechin’ like they own the place! One of ‘em poops on my tractor. I’m like, “Really? This is how we’re doin’ it today?” I laugh it off, but inside, I’m seething.
After a long day, I finally finish up. I’m exhausted, but I feel accomplished. I drive back through Middelharnis, and it’s all lit up. The streets are alive, people are out, and I’m thinkin’, “Maybe this place ain’t so bad.” I stop by the local café on de Haven, grab a coffee, and just chill.
As I sit there, I realize, yeah, it was a crazy day. But it’s my crazy day. Middelharnis, with its quirks and charm, is home. And even with all the madness, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Well, maybe a tractor that doesn’t break down. But you get what I mean!