When we looked at the flock yesterday evening I noticed that one of the nursing ewes had an udder and teat that were distended on one side.  What to do? First was to get the ewe and her twins into the field shelter.  Sounds simple – it isn’t! The ewes learn NOT to cross the electric fence so we had to let the fence down and entice her and the other feeding ewes and lambs into the field where the field shelter sits.  Then we had to push that ewe and lambs into the field shelter.  Sounds simple – isn’t. Luckily our friend Kate turned up as we were waving our arms, crooks and stick around and she gallantly plunged into the mud wearing her shoes as she had unusually left her wellies at home.  The three of us we were able to get mum and twins into the barn and upend the sheep. Kate then gently but firmly took hold of the large teat and squeezed out some milked relieve the pressure and to check that there was no temperature or lumpiness indicating mastitis.  Job done we left mum and lambs indoors for the night with hay and clean water.  This morning we went to see them and Jeremy held the ewe and I examined her teat and squeezed out some milk into a bucket.  Both sides of the udder seemed fine, as did the lambs, so we will keep them in for a few more days and hope that all is now well. Four more sheep due to lamb….aargh!