As Sue does very frequently and we do together from time to time, we walked up to Brede, our neighbour's out-farm at Coolroemore, one recent sunny evening.

This walk is a steady climb from the mill......

..................to this ash tree at the summit of the high field.

And on the way we wondered what it is that prompts sheep in a field of five, or maybe ten acres, to form paths.........

.......... which diverge................

.................and converge, apparently without reason?

The ash tree, of which I am very fond, is recovering well.........

............from having had its bark gnawed by animals - I think it is horses that are the worst culprits of this behaviour.
If the damage is too severe it kills the tree.

But I wonder if it will survive the ash die-back disease (chalara fraxinea) that is spreading across Ireland?
I do hope so.