Just before his retirement in 2002, the 79-year-old doctor buys an English Fordson tractor, has it restored, and embarks on one- to two-week trips from Zeven, in the district of Rotenburg/Wümme, along the Weser, Fulda, and the Neckar rivers to Heidelberg and Sinsheim for the Traktorama. In the following two years, he takes the ferry from Cuxhaven to Harwich and continues into East England to the Steam Tractor Fair in Strumpshaw near Norwich, where he actively participates. After the BBC reports on him, he becomes well-known in every pub. During his travels, he visits highly interesting museums, historical buildings, and churches, which he describes in detail. He also shares special experiences, such as crossing a highway multiple times with the tractor. In the next two years, he participates in the international Grossglockner tractor world championship.