Sheep Rustling - But Not As We Know It

by Barbara Wardle

I've been reading some of the ditties on your splendid website - I think I know the answer to why the sheep/cattle came running to these folks (see Excuse me, but who's your mate? and Excuse me, but you're crowding me).

This is what happened to us:-

My husband and I were walking in the Peak District through a field full of sheep.

We stopped to have a look at the map to make sure we were going in the right direction. Suddenly we heard stamping and baa-ing noises and the sheep were literally running towards us from all directions - a frightening sight!!

It transpired to us that when I unfolded the Ordnance Survey Map, it was making a rustling noise - I should say very similar to what a farmer would do to open a paper sack of food supplement!!

I hastily folded up the map again and we stood still. After a while the sheep got fed up and walked away from us - quite cross that there were no food for them!!

I think flapping the map to scare them away had the opposite effect!

Hope this helps to solve the mystery!!