Is that even a “thing” any more? Does anyone go into a barber’s and ask for it? Simon the fence’s son is sporting a mullet cut which is apparently the latest hair craze in this part of the world – left me non-plussed I have to say, but then I’ve never been at the forefront, or even the fringe, of hairstyles.

Anyway, Simon the fence (barrier not illicit goods disposal) is back for the third time, fourth trimming session. He has shearing as a part-time occupation along with fencing, his farming activities and the family farm. He was a contract shearer trimming 200 or so sheep a day, but he now concentrates on his and a few other mini-contracts. Not having done it for a year, he practiced before clipping ours, which he hates (dislikes) as they are woolly around the face which terrifies him – just the proximity of eye and clipper.

In between cuts, and swearing, he is after gossip and trades any we have with his own. We usually have very little to offer, but we have questions over local happenings which he answers. One is “do you know Anthony” our new doorman from whom we haven’t had a requested quote for a new front one. His wife apparently suffered a bad car crash and has been in hospital pinned up, or down, which explains why he hasn’t delivered the said quote. “Use him, he’s a good lad” so as well as the shear, we have the intel that a good man can do a good job when he’s back on the road.

“Do you now Billy Samuels?” – the mole catcher. “Yes” – he’s a good lad, I call him spam” – never got to the bottom of that…

“Who’s taken over the garage in the village? Apparently a couple of youngsters – “good lads”, and their Mother runs the pumps.