Relief and Perseverance

Checking the sheep twice daily provides the opportunity to see them going about their normal business. That routine is then more obvious for being broken by a cough, scratching or, in this case, a limp. Number 28 (I really must memorise their names) showed signs of being lame and 'lame sheep are suffering pain' to quote Agnes Winter and Clare Phythian, authors of Sheep Health, Husbandry and Disease.

It's with great relief that, following treatment, Crest (Number 28) has returned to normal and is one of the first to reach a barley treat.

It could have been different. Her lameness was diagnosed (thanks Dave) as Scald, or Interdigital Dermatitis. This infection is caused 'by a common bacterium, Fusobacterium necrophorum, widely present in the environment.' It can infect the sheep when grazing on long wet grass, a scenario made more prevalent with the dew we've woken up to recently let alone the rain showers and there is a risk that the infection can progress to footrot. Treatment was essential and spraying the foot with a blue coloured antibiotic, Terramycin, is a recognised solution among local shepherds.

Now, on a less successful note, bread making... Attempt one, following a simple Delia Smith white loaf recipe, produced something a little doughy in the middle. I diagnosed that as me selecting the wrong oven shelf and cooking the crust too quickly. I'll keep trying...