There's just no taking a day off with this job

Tuesday, I was going to take a day off.

I had nothing to cover until a public meeting that evening. Plus, I'm a Guider with the Kincardine Brownie Unit, so I had to be at the Kincardine Baptist Church to help with that at 6 p.m.

Last week, my husband, David, had suggested we go to the International Plowing Match (IPM), being held near Harriston, Sept. 20-24. I wasn't exactly crazy about the idea because wandering through long corridors of farm machinery and equipment, multitudes of vendors and food booths, tents full of displays, and endless demonstrations, is not high on my Bucket List - in fact, it's not on my Bucket List at all. I don't even have a Bucket List.

But then he said that if we went Tuesday or Wednesday, we could see the RCMP Musical Ride. Okay, I'm in - let's go.

So, Tuesday morning, I had to drag myself out of bed before it was even light out, watch the sun rise while drinking a Tim Hortons coffee, and try to wake up as we headed for Harriston, and the IPM tented city just east of that town.

It is quite a sight. I've been to IPMs before - many years ago - but it's still quite fascinating to see the huge gazebos, tents and more, spread over about 100 acres of property.

I had to remind myself that I was not covering this event, I was merely a spectator, an ignorant bystander, nobody of importance. And just to drive home that point, I paid the exorbitant admission price of $17 and we headed onto the site.

Along with hundreds of others, we meandered along Fifth Street, Mutual Avenue, etc., checking out the various booths and chatting with people. I spun the wheel and won an apple, and I filled out a ballot for a draw. I grabbed a free bag and began filling it with free stuff.

As 10:30 a.m. rolled around, we positioned ourselves to watch the parade as it marched through the grounds.

And so it was, that we were just standing there innocently watching the parade, when what to my wondering ears do I hear? The sound of bagpipes - surely not! But most definitely it was - the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band was marching in the parade!

I was surprised, and then I quickly pulled out my cell phone, which is conveniently equipped with a camera, and began taking photos. I followed until the parade stopped for a few moments and the band quit playing. I turned to Keith Davidson and asked, "What on earth are you doing here?" And he asked me the same thing. We fist-bumped, and the band moved on.

So, from there on, I was back in reporter mode, taking photos of the local angle - Serena Lamont of Ripley, Bruce County Queen of the Furrow on a float; Robert Grey of the Kincardine Legion among the Colour Party in the parade; and then a team of horses, just because I liked them.

It was a riot to discover the local connection to this major event: Andrew Barrie, son of David and Miriam Barrie of Kincardine, at one booth; Melinda Scott, daughter of Martin and Sue Scott of Kincardine, at another booth; and then chatting with Jim and Fran Farrell and Arnie and Diane Clifford of Ripley who were attending the event - along with many other locals.

The highlight, of course, was the RCMP Musical Ride which I have never seen before. It was amazing, thrilling, and a joy to watch, right from beginning to end.

So, enjoy this coverage of the 2016 IPM, since apparently, there's no taking a day off with this job!

Ah, life in the fast lane!



The RCMP Musical Ride at the International Plowing Match, Tuesday afternoon; videos by David Dadson