Reading this column, you would be forgiven for thinking I am always on my travels. My last article covered my trip to Latvia and now I am embarrassingly going to tell you that I have just returned from the south of France.
In my defence, it was another research trip looking at how sheep farming can benefit nature and our environment.
Landing in the south of France and walking into the dry 35degC heat was certainly a contrast from the damp and overcast 9degC I left behind in Liverpool.
Navigating the airport and locating my rental car was a seamless operation. However, the novelty of hiring a Fiat Punto quickly wore off when my paper drivers licence was rejected.
After an agitated couple of hours, particularly in the heat, all was resolved and I drove away in a Renault Clio towards Arles to meet my host for the next three days, Monsieur Axel Woolf, manager of the Crau Nature Reserve.
Located between Marseille and Montpellier, the Crau Nature Reserve is a vast desert-like area known as a Steppe (a flat un-forested area). At first glimpse you would be excused for questioning if it was possible for anything to grow or live on this harsh landscape of dry exposed soil and scattered pebbles.
Sheep farming has existed on the Crau for more than 2,000 years. The remains of farm buildings dating back to 50BC are still clearly visible. Grazing over this length of time is what has shaped this unique landscape and the plant life living here. Sheep grazing is recognised as the most important factor in preserving the reserve with its endemic flora and fauna. Shepherds living with the flock continually move the sheep to different areas, a practice that has been taking place for hundreds of years.
These flocks are part of the traditional transhumance system, whereby sheep are moved between summer and winter grazing areas. The flocks I saw have since headed to the French Alps and the mountain pastures for the summer.
I have always had the image of a French farmer being a no-nonsense person, someone who stands up to authorities and this is exactly what I found. When I spoke to the local farmers union representative, he said his job was to make sure French farmers did not turn into British farmers.
His tone was in good humour and light hearted, but I could certainly identify with the sentiment.
Since returning home I have shorn my ewes. I started alone, slowly working my way through the flock and gravitating towards the bare-bellies. Am I getting a little long in the tooth for this work?
On that thought I made a call and with the promise of Llandudnos finest take-away to finish, shearers Kevin and Guto were on their way. Following the recent dry spell and my ewes working hard rearing lambs, they were not the nicest sheep in the world to shear and possibly both Kevin and Guto were questioning their decision to help me out.
By the end of the day we were sitting on Llandudnos beach tucking into North Wales finest fish and chips. And the shearers are booked for next year already.
