On Sunday last, October 4, Skeheenarinky Vintage Club welcomed a group of vintage tractor enthusiasts from Carraig na bhFear, Mallow, Mitchelstown, Glanmire and Fermoy.

The aim was to drive their tractors as far as they could up the Galtees. From listening to some of the drivers, the idea was born over a cup of tea and they also told the story of Sir Edmund Hillary and his Massey Ferguson.

On January 4, 1984 Sir Edmund Hillary and his team drove his trusty Ferguson TE20 to the South Pole, they became the first overland team to reach the South Pole. It was fitted with full tracks and painted red (as opposed to the normal Ferguson grey) to make them easier to spot in the snow.

On reaching his destination Hillary commented "Our Ferguson's had brought us over 1250 miles (2000km) of snow and ice, crevasses, soft snow and blizzard to be the first vehicle to drive to the South Pole".

This group of vintage enthusiasts took time out to take some photos, have a chat and take in the view, despite the fog, the scenery was beautiful. They spent some time on the Galtees and then they journeyed up the Galty Castle and just like Edmund Hillary said on his expedition "the Fergusons performed magnificently".

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