Jerusalamb

Do you think this could be a Rural Contender to try and steal the Crazy frog's crown?

On the subject of sheep, I spent an absolutely beautiful weekend in Craswall in Herefordshire. My main reason for going there was to play flute for a concert at Dore Abbey with the Craswell Players The concert was wonderful, with a wonderful rendition of the Hadyn Cello Concerto by Martiijn Vink.

Anyway, back to the point. It was a beautiful weekend, Craswall is really stunning (very 'famous five' holiday-type country!) and the company was wonderful. I spent a lovely couple of hours just walking up the lanes (I didn't join the party going up the steep hill walks, due to unsuitable footwear AKA flipflops. I was filled with awe and thanks God for the sheer beauty of his creation and allowing me to experience it. In the country there are just a multiplicity of small, exciting treasures to encounter: A beautiful patch of wild ox-eye daisies, a Peacock butterfly dancing by, the magenta magnificence of frequent Foxgloves, a russle of an unidentified mammal lurking behind a hedgerow, the trickling of a surprising stream,even every little leaf on the most insignificant weed to name but a few: its so fascinating and refreshing for an Urban dweller such as me. He really knows how vital just spending time with the His creation is for me!

The ultimate treat (aside from the wonderful repasts provided by the lovely organiser Sue and her team of friends) was feeding some little black lambs on Sunday morning! I met a lovely lady called Linda, who lived just up the road, and I asked her if I could help her feed them, to which she kindly agreed. They were absolutely delightful as they eagerly tried received their bottle full! It was a little like tug of war, as in their enthusiasm they would keep backing away, whilst guzzling for dear life! Once I'd fed them, they let me stroke their wool and pat their heads, and one ardent fellow eagerly tried to nibble my fingers off! I like hand-reared sheep- they always come to you and let you stroke them where as most sheep run away!

We also saw a pair of shorn fugitives who had obviously escaped from their flock, several times. The first time, they stood guiltily munching at a bush as Jo and I drove by, the second, they were gamboling rather like dogs, as they were pursued by two black dogs running in a similar manner, the third time, they were sitting looking rather weary and frightened at the side of the road. I hope their farmer managed to catch them eventually!

Even the journey home provided visual treats, as we drove through the Cotswolds, and stopped for quick leg-stretch and ice-cream at a picturesque place called Burford which we accidently found whilst searching for a service station which was mentioned on a map!

Thanks for a lovely God-given weekend...