The great pretender

I was standing in the Apple Tree paddock with Miles the sheep farmer. We were doing what proper sheep farmers - or in my case pretend sheep farmers - do.

- Michele Hewitson

We were contemplating, silently, our Lush Places’ sheep. Proper sheep farmers spend a lot of time doing what looks like nothing much, which is leaning on gates and looking at sheep. Miles, that master of under-statement, said, “They're an interesting lot.”

I had come out to the Apple Tree paddock one morning to find that my pet sheep, Elizabeth Jane, had been shorn. Sheep are not shorn in April. She had been fly struck. In the seven years that we have had our little pet flock of four, none has ever been fly struck. Fly strike is horrible, so if you are squeamish look away now. There are maggots. And you have to get them out. Getting them out is disgusting. But also kind of fascinating.