Les Brebis

As if pruning the vines wasn't arduous enough, we have to keep a weather-ear open for the shepherd who yells at his sheep whilst they roam over the garrigue that surrounds our vineyard. The minute we hear the sheep-bells clanking and M. Le Berger yelling at his dogs and sheep, we rush our dogs into the van before they can hear and set off in pursuit.

Today I heard them clanking along, but way too close for comfort. I called our three dogs and, fortunately, they leapt into the car like - er lambs? Only after they were safely enclosed did I realise that the sheep were actually in our vines. I can fully understand why the shepherd may have led them there since we are so behind with the pruning and weed-whacking that he could have thought they were abandoned. I ran the 200 or so metres straight uphill to meet him and explained, very breathlessly, that I have three dogs and I can not vouch for the safety of his sheep if he comes into our vines.

Very sweetly he calmed my anxieties by pointing out that he has two huge white sheepdogs that look like Pyrenean mountain dogs whose job it is to guard his herd. He said his dogs would ensure the safety of his sheep and couldn't I see that his sheep were excellent weeders and fertilisers. I had to agree that he had a point and for one moment I thought how wonderful it would be if he regularly brought his lawn-mowers onto our land.

So next time I hear them I'm going to test his theory. Our dogs will hack off towards his herd, and will come back with their tails between their legs having been roundly warned off by his lovely big white dogs.

What do you reckon?