An incredible journey of endurance, dedication and good “craic” has ended for a tractor enthusiast from the north who has just completed a 3,500-mile trip around Ireland.
Originally from Essex, but now living in Inverness, Peter Matheson finished his epic drive on Sunday after spending two months on the roads around the Emerald Isle. His journey started on July 6 when he arrived in Larne on the ferry with his trusty 1974 Massey Ferguson 135 tractor and his sidekick, Amber the labrador.
The duo are no strangers to this type of endurance test as they spent six months driving the same tractor 8,000 miles around Scandinavia last year.
Mr Matheson said: “This idea of driving around a country on a tractor came about after a night on the whisky in Inverness. Along with a few friends we were having a bit of a party until one of them bet me to drive around Scandinavia on a tractor. Foolishly I took the bet but, as a retired policeman, I had no tractor or no interest in them. However, it wasn’t long before I bought my pride and joy Massey Ferguson 135 on the internet and started to prepare for the trip.
“I towed a caravan all the way around Finland, Sweden and Norway, exploring the countries from August through to January. What a trip.”
And it was that adventure to Scandinavia that prompted the trip around Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Mr Matheson originally had a co-driver who drove his Land Rover Discovery and caravan along too but he took ill and had to return to Scotland leaving him with nowhere to sleep as he could not drive both vehicles. The solution then was to use his emergency shelter and sleep in the tent which he carried in his support trailer attached to the Massey.
“After losing my co-driver the tent became my home but I did splash out on a proper bed and bath some nights which was heaven after being bounced around on the tractor for days.”
But even with all the fun there was a serious side to the tractor enthusiast’s adventure as he was collecting money for the Irish Cancer Society and Teenage Cancer Trust.
“People were very generous,” said Mr Matheson. “I bounced around on the roads with Amber in her cage on the back for around six to 10 hours per day.
“It was all worth it, though, as I have collected more than £2,000 for the charities. People continue to donate on my website, www.tractorbumble.com.”