Mrs Down's Diary

AN image-conscious shearling made a frantic leap at the press photographer perched on a set of portable steps just outside the confines of the sales ring. The photographer fell off his steps into the crowd and then directed his lens at the less image conscious auctioneer, who decided to straighten up his tie before facing the local paparazzi.

John and I were attending a sheep sale to try to get another tup for the flock.

We have four rams already, but two are showing signs of age, broken mouthed at the corner (lost a tooth) rather than full mouths (all their teeth).

However, their tackle is still in full working order, so we will take advantage of that for the main flock of ewes, but plan to use a new, and the youngest tup, on the shearlings and gimmers '“ that is, young sheep who have not had a crop of lambs yet.

( For fullfeature see West Sussex Gazette October 25