If Clouds Were Sheep

Former Cotswold Life journalist Sue Andrews talks about pedigree Texel sheep, her new book and how dreams can grow from small beginnings

Sitting on the quad bike looking over the field as it unfolds before me, both collies by my side, the view is a truly pastoral scene. The grass and trees are enhanced by a clear blue sky; and the fields are dotted with sheep. Our sheep. Our flock of pedigree Texels.

My husband Aubrey and I began with nothing except an impossible dream. We knew we were determined to keep sheep, even though we had very little money and no inherited farm.

Aubrey was working on a mixed farm and had considerable experience with shepherding, while I was totally ignorant of any stock other than horses. Then we were given the unexpected gift of a temperamental Black Welsh Mountain ram.

I always say it started with this ram. To be fair, he wasn’t all bad. In fact, he had a great sense of humour. Just a bit warped.

His escapades upset most of the village until we found him a quartet of ewes. Then we bought our first pedigree Texel. It was love at first sight; although as our flock grew, so did the number of early mornings with difficult lambings, and the harsh winter nights spent hunting for lost sheep.

Aubrey assured me that all this meant we were progressing up the farming ladder.