Denis Lehane: Farming like Oasis 'you gotta roll with it'

With the days lengthening and drying up to some degree, roll on my friend, And with the changing of the clocks adding a further layer to the fun, you can't go wrong.

Farming is one of the few occupations where bad weather can give you the excuse to do feck all.

And for those of us who like to take it easy, when we can, the last few months have been idyllic.

Rain in the morning, rain in the evening, rain at supper time.

Months with the feet up, while all the time promising to do great things if only the weather would ever settle down.

"Sure, we can't do a bit in the rain!" you might cry, while downing tea like old Mrs Jessup.

But now, alas, the good times are over. The weather, it seems, is taking a turn for the better. It's time to get back on the saddle.

"The work begins anew!" as the great Ted Kennedy once proclaimed.

But just because it's dry outside and the pressure is on to leave the house, and the comfort of the armchair, that doesn't mean you have to head out like a crazy man, and rush into a calf house with a four-pronged pike.

Moderation in all things.

The dung heap doesn't have to be tackled on day one.

Pace yourself.

After months of idle armchair chatter and sleeping loudly, you can't just pick up on farming where you left off.

You have to walk before you can run.

A bit like weaning a fat calf off the pap, it's not something that can be done on a whim.

Take your time.

The first thing I would suggest is to climb on board the old tractor, turn the key and see if she is still willing to start.

And if she is, well then my friend you are blessed. Congratulations.

After that, on day two let's say, why not give yourself a break and go to the mart. Not to buy cattle you understand. No, only to shape around the place to get yourself back in the farming frame of mind.

Throw an opening bid on a few head of cattle if you like, just for the craic. But at all costs avoid throwing the last bid. Relax, have a bite to eat while you are there, have a pint too if you like, farming isn't all about hard work.

And finally on day three, it's time for real action.

And the action doesn't come much better, or much easier, than tackling up to the roller.

Rolling is a sure-fire way to reignite the farming flame.

Once you have a roller that rolls and a tractor that starts, you will need little else.

Rolling a poached field, and returning it to it's former splendour can do wonders for the land, but more importantly, it does more for a farmer's head than a thousand trips to a psychiatrist.

And better again, the secret to good rolling is all about going slow.

In the wise words of Oasis, 'You gotta roll with it, you gotta take your time.'

And in fairness to the Gallagher brothers, they certainly knew a thing or two about farming, having spent their childhood in Mayo where hay was brought in and no doubt merry songs were sung.

No better boys, I'd say up in the shed, or fixing bales in the trailer than Liam or Noel.

Obliging to the end, you'd imagine.

In many ways with regards to the Gallagher brothers, I maintain farming's loss was music's gain.

God bless the hard work.

Anyhow, now with the days lengthening and drying up to some degree, roll on my friend, And with the changing of the clocks adding a further layer to the fun, you can't go wrong.

With the roller smoothing everything in it's path, you will soon be out of the rut you are in.

Rest assured, you will soon be feeling supersonic, even without the gin and tonic.