There is a sheep farm that I pass on the way to the woods, when I go to walk Dexter, and usually there is a large and ominous livestock transporter lorry parked up outside.
One day, recently, I saw the sheep and their young all flocked together in one of the small fields close to the farm house. On passing a day or so later I was struck by the poignancy of a mother ewe watching over her perfectly, plumply grown lamb sleepily snuggled as close as it could get save for the post and rail fence between them.
They had been separated.
The next day the transporter was gone.
Since then just a few shorn ewes have remained in the small field close to the farm house.
I can’t stop that heartbreaking sight springing to mind every time I pass now.