Jock Gibson, Moray farmer and butcher, and Farmstrong Scotland's Vice Chair.
I'll be completely honest with you, if it wasn't for my wife Fiona, we probably wouldn't get away on holiday but having just returned from a 10 day holiday in Austria, I am reminded how important it is to get away.
I always find going away quite difficult but in this particular case, I was very ready and dare I say it, actually looking forward to going. It has been a manic first 6 months to the year and we were really needing the break. However in my head keeps popping up a meme of Sean Bean in Lord of the Rings with the caption "One does not simply go on holiday!"
For me there are loads of anxious parts to it, not least of all the cost of taking a family of five abroad. Its a big ask and not something that is taken lightly. There is also the consideration of how things are going to run at home, stock checks, and who the hell goes on holiday when you are still at silage??! I've said it before and will say it again, we have a great team that keeps the wheels running (and possibly smoother) when we are away and I am incredibly grateful for being in that position.
I know it’s not that simple for everyone though and there is a great deal of trust required to leave the farm in the hands of others. Maybe we need a national farm sitting service to enable farming families leave the farm. In all seriousness though, it is important to build up that support network of family, neighbours and contractors who can be leant on to support the business and enable time away. And I cannot say this loud enough - going on holiday does not make you less of a farmer!
Anyway, it was fantastic to get away, eat far too much and return wondering why the work shirt feels a little more snug around the midriff. It is also brilliant to get back and feel enthused about the rest of the summer and getting the farm set up for going into autumn and winter.
So, I hope that you are all having a good summer, are getting what rain you need and have some time allotted in the diary to get away for a bit and the systems in place to help it happen.
