We've just come back from the Philippines, and one day's work has taught me a bit more about life there. My Mahal bought a second-hand rice tractor for a young male relative and his brother to gain some extra income. We went to see it in Tubigon, Bohol and once it had been agreed to buy it, I thought it would be a simple matter of taking it back to Sagbayan. Two days later, we borrowed a pick up truck and arrived at the vendor's house. Firstly, the two guys mentioned and another one took about two hours poring over it like expert mechanical engineers before deciding that part of a mudguard needed welding. Eventually after a welder had been found, it was time for money to change hands. This entailed a further one and a half hour wait for the local barangay captain to witness the handover. Finally, we were able to transport it. We had to take it in two runs, first the trailer and equipment, then the tractor unit. The last part of the run was on crap roads, so that slowed us down further. It was a long day, but we got the job done. Like they say, things don't always move quickly in the Philippines.