IF we each had a drawbridge, the advice coming from central government would be to draw it up and self isolate.

For the first time, I have registered for online shopping and will observe with interest how that works out.

When let loose normally in the supermarket, or our local shops, I must admit to being a most disorganised shopper. Easily tempted by my butcher, seduced at the bakers (not literally) and succumbing rapidly to the charms of the greengrocer when tempted by displays of fresh fruit and vegetables. Currently, I have no plans to desert them, having only placed a minimum order for the most basic requirements I think we might need next week.

John, however, bumbles on as normal. Literally. Spending all this morning checking his bees and topping up their supplies of glucose. This afternoon, though, I have a plan for him to identify the weak points in our paddock fences as too many of my hens are literally slipping the net and wandering off through the village to lay in unauthorised nest sites.

The longer days have had a miraculous impact on the number of eggs being laid. Due no doubt to the fact that with spring comes a hens urge to go broody. Unfortunately, their dreams are doomed. Not only do we have no cockerels in the flock, but to add insult to injury I also regularly remove eggs from the nest boxes so the hens don’t get any maternal ideas.

And now we have our very own gambolling spring lambs. In just over a week they seem to have doubled in size and quickly accepted the routine of day to day life in the paddock. Although their swift return at night to the shelter of a well-strawed pen is probably more down to the bucket of lamb nuts waiting for them than to any obedient response to John’s directions.

Lambs are a lovely sight with their sheer exuberance for life. It is mirrored all around us with gambolling lambs a wonderful indicator of spring. But they can also attract unwelcome predators. Carrion crows. Healthy lambs rarely get attacked but crows are opportunists and quick to spot a vulnerable new born or sickly lamb and can swiftly peck their eyes out.

Fortunately good management reduces these attacks as most farmers do not turn the ewe and lambs out until they are sure that predators such as crows do not present a threat.