Country joys at Easter

One of the best things about living in the country is being surrounded by wildlife, so long as the wildlife doesn't then insist on moving in.
Unfortunately proximity can mean mice or squirrels taking up residence, birds nest in chimneys (and occasionally slip down same), bats roost in the attic, horses escape and sheep and monkjack invade the garden.
Such are the joys of country living.
Having decided to send out hard copy invitations to ValeFest's forthcoming VIP Reception (everything being communicated by email these days we thought a REAL invitation might be something a bit different - email reception @ valefest.com if you'd like an invitation) I took an enormous pile of mail along to the nearest Post Office, in Knipton, this morning.
The sun was out and there were pheasant everywhere, soaking up the rays, their colours gleaming. Having evaded the shoot the darned things are now the size of small turkeys and with no road sense one takes a huge risk doing anything above a moderate speed on Belvoir's country lanes. Hit a pheasant at this time of year and you'll know about it!
Mind you, I loath hitting any animal. Even when something flings itself out from the hedgerow right under my wheels, whether it's a partridge or a rabbit. Or a stoat, as occurred a few weeks ago. Sick-making.
But what caught my eye this morning were the lamb nurseries because on this, the escarpment side of the Vale, thousands of sheep are now suckling new Spring lambs.
Once the youngsters have found their feet and discovered the milk bar opens if they butt mum hard enough in the stomach, ewes become eager to spend a bit of quality grazing time without the kids around.
So big groups of lambs are 'minded' by a nursery ewe which apparently keeps an warey eye while her chums grab some valuable 'me' time.
In the company of other, like-minded, tearaways, these infants make their nurse-maid's life a nightmare with their demonic behaviour, terrorising the entire neighbourhood by jumping on or over anything that gets in the way of their play, and rushing madly from one side of the field to the other. And back again. And again.
Hours and much laughter can pass watching this activity and I had to remind myself the Post Office closed at lunchtime and if I didn't get a move on I'd need to drive into Melton or Grantham to post the Reception mail, which I want to be sure hits desks and diaries before the Easter break.
What's all this got to do with ValeFest? Nothing. But it provides a snapshot of life in the Vale and a reminder of the realities, since with Easter just days away many of those delinquent Spring lambs will soon be appearing on a plate near you.