Moles are getting bigger every year.
I'd not like to meet one on a dark night.
(NERVOUS CHUCKLE)
-She's a fine cow, Molly. -Aye.
How long's she been like this?
I Don't know, Mr Herriot.
Only saw her about an hour ago, when I walked her in here.
-Difficult to move? -She weren't too keen.
Yeah, she's bloated.
Won't waste any more time. I'll use the cannula.
Right.
Right you are. Right. Hold him there.
I've heard some stories about you and bulls, Mr Farnon.
Earned your money once or twice I've heard.
Let's just concentrate on your bull, Mr Grimsdale, for the moment, shall we?
I'm sure you won't want to pay me to stand here reminiscing.
Oh, I won't.
You'll have no trouble with this bull.
Always liked you, he has.
Probably because he doesn't have to pay bills.
I can handle your bull all right, Mr Grimsdale,
but an examination is always easier if he's held.
(BULL BELLOWING)
-He don't think much of that. -No, I don't suppose he does.
Well, can you give me something for it?
I'm afraid not, Mr Grimsdale, because
I think what's happened is that your bull has swallowed something.
Something like, uh, like a bit of wire or a nail, something of that order,
and he has a traumatic reticulitis.
And he's going to need an operation.
Nay, I don't think so.
Is he chewing his cud?
I'm pretty sure of the diagnosis, Mr Grimsdale,
and I think that surgery is the only possible treatment.
He's not eating right, well,
but that's hardly a reason to shell out cash opening him up.
The wire, or whatever it is inside him, has got to be removed.
If it isn't, it'll make its way to his heart
and then you'll lose the beast.
You know that just as well as I do.
You're talking about a lot of money, Mr Farnon.
You'll be talking about a great deal more if you have to buy a new bull.
But, if it's not what you say, I'll be throwing good brass away.
Mr Grimsdale!
-Just look at him, listen to him. -(BULL BREATHING HEAVILY)
Let's first of all try and make him a bit more comfortable.
Let's get him into the stall.
Oh, what do you think?
I think I'd like to hoover in here if you don't mind, Mr Tristan.
Yeah, sorry.
It's quite something all this. High technology meets veterinary science.
Give Siegfried something to think about.
Of course, um, I'll need a car battery.
Well, yes, if I could just get on with the hoovering.
Oh, sorry. You're busy, Mrs A.
If you're having a lengthy discussion about modern technology,
you might put in a word about vacuum cleaners.
Vacuum cleaners?
Well, they've come a long way since this one was made.
A very long way.
Well, I'll leave you to it, Mrs A!
(MACHINE STARTS)
Yes, my hope is that building him up like that
will delay the passage of the wire to the heart, that's the thing.
If you're right. And even if you are, it might well settle down.
I strongly recommend an operation.
It's perfectly straightforward.
There's no sign of pericarditis at the moment but if...
Ah, but if you open him up, I've gotta pay whether there's owt there or not.
We'll wait a bit, I reckon.
-It's sound advice, Mr Grimsdale. -We'll see.
Hey, he's looking happier already.
Always cheers up seeing you, Mr Farnon.
As you wish, Mr Grimsdale.
SIEGFRIED: Bye, Mr Grimsdale!
(ENGINE SPUTTERING)
Doesn't sound too healthy, that, Mr Farnon.
Perhaps it could do with a bit of surgery, eh?
(WHISTLING)
Hard work, that, eh?
(ENGINE STARTS)
There we are, Mr Grimsdale.
Tell Bill to keep her on hay for a couple of days, then she can go back out.
-You'll come in again? -Mmm, towards the end of the week.
But she's looking fit enough.
If Bill's worried about her...
I better stop saying that. It's down to your son now.
Well, I hope it will be.
If Bill thinks he's going to play at being retired,
he'll see a side of me he's not seen in years.
Letting go of the reins. It was never gonna be easy.
No, I know that.
Bill and Peter arguing about Friesians and Shorthorns till the early hours?
(SNIFFLES)
Ah, well, you know those two.
But, preparations for the feast are going ahead like nobody's business.
You can't hardly stop to think.
It'll be the sort of farmers do we used to have, a real celebration.
Course you'll not remember yourself.
I'm at the age when I would love to be able to say you were right,
but I've been in Darrowby a long time, you know.
(CHUCKLES) You're not but a youngster.
I'm going back before first war.
When we had a do then, by God we had a do!
Did not need to eat for a fortnight.
Well, that's the sort of feast I want for Bill's retirement.
You'll be able to come, of course, you and Mrs Herriot?
We'd be very honoured to be asked.
Oh, you'll be asked all right.
As for being honoured, well, you'll have to judge for yourself.
(DOOR OPENS)
Thought it would be your car, Mr Herriot. I'm glad you're here.
JAMES: Peter.
Hello, Bill.
What's Mr Herriot here for?
There were a cow down with bloat. She were bad, Bill.
I would have thought you could do a bit better
than have your mother call a veterinarian behind my back.
Oh, Bill!
-Don't be so daft, Dad. -Aye, daft. That'll be it.
I've never been one to waste your time, Mr Herriot, and I won't start now.
I don't mean to be inhospitable, but...
If you'll excuse me.
I'm, er, sorry, Mr Herriot.
We've a few problems.
And something's happened that...
-I take it, it's not about bloat. -No.
Dad wants to pretend it'll all go away. I don't think it will.
I was going to call you in, but Dad...
(SIGHS) You know, difficult time for him.
You best come and see.
Right.
Well, I'll just, um...
(DOOR OPENS)
You've taken the lad's side, then?
I've taken no one's side, love.
There were a cow poorly and no one here.
What should I have done?
If there's something's wrong, you can't just walk away from it.
Not when it's easier to play into Peter's hands.
He can't wait to see me out of here.
(SIGHS)
(ENGINE STARTS)
We've already had one cow slaughtered this year 'cause it were going this way.
Dad thought, "Out of sight, out of mind."
I knew it were wrong.
Not much doubt about that.
(BULL BELLOWING)
Need a dung sample.
-Siegfried? -Ah! James!
If you've got time for a beer, then so have I.
No, James...
-Hello, Bob. George! -Afternoon, Mr Herriot, what'll it be then?
Half a pint and ham sandwich.
Thanks.
Siegfried?
No, no more for me, thank you, James, I've got a busy afternoon.
Just a half, please. Bob, you're getting a bit low.
Oh, aye, it's getting far down, right enough, I reckon I could manage a...
-A pint. -Thanks.
-(DOG BARKS) -Hello, Jem!
How are you? Getting on a bit, same as us all.
Ten, come next Easter.
Still more active than I'll ever be.
-A few good years in her, yet. -Oh, aye, aye.
You'll be up to see them ewes of mine this afternoon, Mr Herriot?
Yes! First on the list. Thanks, George.
How was your morning?
Ah, well, apart from old Grimsdale,
who's all set on losing that Hereford bull of his,
simply because he will not believe that I know
when a beast has got traumatic reticulitis.
Let's see what happens by doing nothing at all.
By spending nothing at all.
-I was up at Prospect Farm. -Oh, were you?
How go the preparations for Bill Shadwell's feast?
It's time we'll be getting our invitations, isn't it?
Oh, they're on the way, I'm sure.
-Not a very festive mood up there. -No?
Mmm.
Molly called me out to a bloated cow. That was all right.
Then Peter and Bill arrived back and I was in the middle of a family row.
Oh, dear.
Bill thinks that Peter and Molly called me in behind his back.
-I'm lost, James. -Well, it's about his retirement.
And Peter's plans for the herd.
Ah, the Friesians. He's going ahead, is he?
I don't think there will be Shorthorns up there for many more years.
-And what's the immediate problem now? -A very sick cow.
And not the first to show the symptoms apparently.
Bill just doesn't want to face what's wrong, I suppose.
I've got to take some dung samples, but there's not much doubt.
-Johne's disease. -Mmm.
Not a lot to celebrate, is it?
-Well, it's perfectly simple, Helen, you switch it on... -(WHIRRING)
And there you are.
-It sees what you can't see. -(DETECTOR BEEPS)
-Here, have a go! -I know what it does.
-Oh, go on! -All right, astound me.
Now, I'll hide this scalpel about my person.
Now, this is the business end of the detector.
Just run it over my jacket.
-(DETECTOR BEEPS) -Well?
I see. Yes.
So this is the sound that tells me
when a veterinary surgeon has got a scalpel in his pocket.
Fascinating.
Yes, well. You can see the possibilities then, Helen.
No, I can only see you telling Siegfried how much it cost.
Well, considering its value in tracing foreign objects. I don't think he'll object.
Lowerhall Farm on the phone. They've a cow with her calf bit out.
Rightio, Mrs A. Excuse me!
-Mrs Herriot, I wonder... -Mmm?
Well, I was wondering if you'd ever found Mr Farnon...
Mr Siegfried, that is.
Well, when it comes to the question of household expenditure...
If I'd ever found that he suddenly had a hundred other things to talk about,
and a dozen urgent appointments he'd suddenly remembered.
(SIGHS IN RELIEF)
They'll lose an awful lot of money when they come to try to sell the herd.
They can't keep it a secret.
Peter knows that. So does Bill, when he's thinking straight.
Thirty years of his life in them.
Mr Herriot, you'll be up shortly then?
Yes, I'll pop in on my way back. About an hour?
Oh, aye, well, eh, you'll have to give me time to get up there.
(CHUCKLES)
-Mr Farnon. -Goodbye, Bob.
(STRAINING)
JAMES: I'll try to persuade him to enter the slow bicycle race
at this year's gala.
He's a natural.
I wouldn't rush your next call, James.
(CAR HONKS)
(ENGINE SPUTTERS)
Not such a bad afternoon.
-Could be worse. -(CHUCKLES) Aye, aye.
Folk never want to forget that.
Shall we have a look at your ewes then?
That brother of mine. All he thinks is how bullocks are doing. Never mind the sheep.
-Hello, Mr Herriot. -Hello, Adam.
-Bullocks! -ADAM: Are you still complaining?
I could complain meself if I counted the hours he spent at that pub.
-(LAUGHS) -Not as I do.
Ewes?
I brought 'em in by this morning. He let 'em out.
They got out.
And they got out because you've been meaning to mend gate to five-acre
for last three months.
You can't rely on a man that never touches a drop of drink.
Not even your own brother.
They'll be on fell by now.
Aye, well I've got me own work to do.
-Good day, Mr Herriot. -Adam.
I can always come back another time.
They would have not gotten far. We'll soon catch up with them.
Bob, I haven't got very long.
Oh, aye, well, we'll not waste time walking, then.
You hold on.
The blessed thing was only serviced.
Can't be more than a year.
Things do wear out, you know, Mr Farnon.
Yes, I know, Mrs Alton, but should they?
That's the point. I mean, if they're properly made in the first place,
and properly maintained.
Just think of the money that this practice pours money into that garage every year.
And nowadays, you know,
a car is as essential a part of a vet's equipment
as his antibiotics or his stethoscope.
We all need good serviceable equipment if we're going to get the job done right.
Exactly.
You see, if this goes on, the car is gonna have to be replaced.
Yes, and it's the same with the vacuum cleaner.
It's so old now it's spreading more dust than it's picking up.
Mrs Alton, it is marvellous to have found you.
You know, you keep the place so spick and span.
But you needn't worry yourself so much.
Skeldale's like a new pin under your regime. New pin!
Not far now, Mr Herriot.
-We're not paying this. -It's not a lot of money, Siegfried.
My dear boy, any money that this practice is asked to pay out unnecessarily
is a great deal of money.
It's a vital piece of equipment.
Tristan, I do not need an army surplus metal detector
to help me diagnose traumatic reticulitis, much less pericarditis.
This afternoon I made a diagnosis of a bull with a wire
without the assistance of any such engine.
And you would have come to exactly the same conclusion.
It gives us confirmation, though.
What it gives us is a totally indiscriminate statement
about the presence of any metal foreign object,
including nuts and bolts and any other
that may be lying about doing nobody any harm at all.
Well, I think it could help us.
Listen to me, Tristan, this practice is not made of money, I mean to say,
I am driving around in a motor car which undoubtedly needs a great deal of money spent
on a rebore or some such thing.
And what do I do about it? I put up with the inconvenience
for the sake of the practice, and for the sake of my partners.
I mean, there's poor Mrs Alton doing her level best to keep this house in a proper manner,
and is there enough money for a new vacuum cleaner?
-No, there is not. -Vacuum cleaner?
Exactly.
Did anything more significant than that come by this morning's post?
I have my invitation to Bill Shadwell's do.
Should be something to look forward to anyway.
-Perhaps mine's here. -There wasn't anything for you.
Must be at home.
-Bob! -Not much further.
Must have been feeling frisky.
(CHUCKLES)
Johne's Disease, clear as day.
There's no doubt about it, James.
Still, I suppose it's really what they were both of them expecting.
-Doesn't make it any easier, though, does it? -Nope.
-(GROANS) -What on earth's the matter with you?
Nothing, Siegfried, nothing.
Seems to be a rather painful sort of nothing, then.
Putting rarely used muscles into close contact with one of Bob Stockdale's ponies.
(LAUGHS)
For a little bit longer than I should have done.
His sheep had got back on the fell.
"Only about ten minutes ago", that's what he said.
Fitness, James.
How often have you heard me exclaim on the importance of fitness.
And what better way to keep fit than to ride out?
Exercise, fresh air,
the exhilaration of speed, the precision and strength of a fine animal
moving beneath you, a wonderful sense of freedom, James.
I have nothing to say, Siegfried.
Except that there was very little exhilaration up on Leck Fell this afternoon.
Now if you'll excuse me, I shall go home and ache.
My dear James, I'm the very last person in the world
to find amusement in your discomfort.
-Would you like me to drive you home? -That's enough, Siegfried.
(GROANS)
-Ah! -It can't hurt everywhere.
Oh, it does, believe me.
-It only goes to show... -How unfit I am? You sound remarkably like Siegfried.
I thought you'd give me a bit more sympathy.
I always did go for the nine-stone weakling type.
Thank you very much.
What do you mean always?
(CHUCKLES) Who are the others?
Have you spoken to the Shadwells again?
Siegfried's going over there this evening.
It's not really a telephone job, is it?
No. It casts a shadow over the feast.
Well, they're determined to go ahead with it. Sent the invitations out.
Ah, yes. Ours arrived this morning.
Oh?
I don't think it's quite what you're expecting, though.
It's gonna be an odd do.
Hmm.
Oh, my God. So that's what Molly meant.
I knew how awkward you'd feel about making a speech.
Made me laugh this morning.
Doesn't seem so funny now, though.
Hmm.
It's obviously been on the farm for some years.
You know as well as I do there's no real way of treating it.
It's a question of controlling it,
of minimising the spread of the disease,
and, um, eradicating it, in time.
I suggest we think in terms of vaccinating the herd.
Of course, that does affect tuberculin testing,
so we'd have to contact the Ministry of Agriculture first.
For the rest, it's just good husbandry, and it will take time.
And it'll cost us dear.
Well, you wanted to write off the herd, didn't ya?
There won't be a lot standing in your way now,
once word gets out.
Dad, please.
-Hello, Joanna! -What is it, love?
I couldn't sleep, and I heard everyone talking.
Come on, back to bed with you.
(STAMMERING) We can go through it all tomorrow, of course.
I just thought that I ought to...
I am very sorry. I wanted to come up here and tell you myself.
I appreciate you coming, Mr Farnon.
You've looked after Prospect herd for a lot of years.
It's a blow that's hard to take, but not for us all.
-Dad, that's not fair. -Ain't it?
I know what Molly and me has built up is worth nowt for the future,
Johne's disease or not.
Goodnight to you, Mr Farnon. Grateful for your trouble.
I'm sorry, Mr Farnon, it's not an easy time.
I think I understand, Mrs Shadwell.
James tells me you're still determined to move into Friesians.
As soon as I can.
You go a long way to find finer Shorthorns than ours, I know that.
But the Friesian is the cow for the future, even up here.
We've got to change. We've waited too long already.
But it's no help to us this way.
No help at all.
-You've all had enough of me, I reckon. -We have, have we?
He doesn't understand. After all these years, didn't we build this for him?
Did we?
-I'm not so sure. -For what, then?
Maybe for each other, Bill.
You remember the first year we were here? That second summer?
We had ten cows then. We lost eight with bracken poisoning.
Such a hot, bright summer it were, till it came to making hay.
-I remember. -We owed money everywhere.
We'd nowt to buy in feed.
And when that little bit of precious hay were laid out,
we saw rain coming down from the tops towards us.
We worked day and night to bring that in.
Just you and me, Molly. No one to help us.
And we did it. Nearly all of it.
I can see your hands, that morning, the rain drenched us through.
Your hands were covered in blood.
-They healed. -I cried that day.
I walked away and I thought of your hands.
And I thought if there's ever a day I'm happier or prouder than this, I'll be very lucky.
-I'm getting soft. -Aye, well.
There were another day I was just as happy,
the day our Peter were born.
Why though? Why does he have to destroy all this?
We took our chances, love, together.
Well, it's the same for Peter and Louise.
Can't stop him, can I?
He'll break up the herd, he'll bring his bloody Friesians in.
But you are going to stop fighting him, because you are retiring.
I don't want to fight him. But, it hurts me, Molly. It's very hard.
And now this disease. They're not making it easy for me.
Nor for Peter.
How can I stand here in front of all the people in this dale,
with a glass in my hand and say,
"Cheers, here's to the 30 years we spent creating the Prospect herd,
"It were a waste of time."
Nowt we ever did together were a waste of my time, Bill Shadwell. Nowt!
(CHUCKLES)
Hello, George!
-How you keeping, Mr Herriot? -Not too bad, thanks.
-Pint then, is it? -Just a half, please.
-Hello, Bob. -Good afternoon, Mr Herriot.
I have to say, it took me two weeks to get over
riding the range with you, you know.
Thanks.
No Jem today?
Nay. I couldn't bring her.
Is she all right?
She's got cancer.
There's a growth. Been coming on a while now.
Why didn't you tell me?
Maybe you'd have her put down, I don't want to put her down yet.
Every growth is not malignant, Bob, you know that.
It's a bloody big 'un. It's like a cricket ball.
Where is it?
Under belly, hanging right down.
Right.
I'll have a look at her.
-I don't want her put down. -Neither do I, Bob,
but I don't want her in any pain, either.
Come on.
I told you he'd be fine.
You veterinaries don't like being taken over by us farmers, do you?
I haven't revised my diagnosis, Mr Grimsdale.
You should have followed my advice.
You should have kept him in the stall, ramped up as I told you.
You won't give up without a fight will ya, Farnon?
-Your bull's still at risk, Mr Grimsdale. -Aye, but not me wallet.
He's as right as rain.
Still got a soft spot for you, Mr Farnon.
(GRUNTS)
-(ENGINE SPUTTERS) -Have you got your invitation to old Shadwell's do yet?
-I, uh... -It'll be a right good doin'. Nowt to pay neither.
-Mr Herriot's speaking, eh? -So I gather.
(ENGINE SPUTTERS)
Not getting any better, that.
Mr Grimsdale, no starting handle is going to get your bull going
if that wire reaches his heart.
I can get my fingers right behind it.
It's just a small mammary tumour,
more than likely benign.
I can easily remove it, with every chance of complete recovery.
Come on.
Do you see what he's like, Mr Herriot?
I've been telling him to come to see you for weeks.
I've lost patience with him.
Come on, Bob, bring her down to the surgery.
You can't leave her like this.
Well, when?
I'll let you know.
He'll not say 'cause he'll not do it.
He's made up his mind, Jem will die.
And that's that.
I can mend her. Have her back in the George before you can turn round.
The trouble is he spent too much time at the George. It's addled his brains.
If I take her down to surgery, I know she'll not come back.
-When did she last eat? -Not since last night.
She's off her food and all.
Right. I'll sedate her and give her a local anaesthetic.
I'll just see what I've got in the car.
Adam, get some disinfectant. Scrub this table really clean, and boil some water.
Bob, I'll do the operation now.
Oh, Helen! I am glad to see you here!
I hope those are going out this afternoon?
-On one condition. -What's that?
Will you talk to James about his speech for the Shadwell do?
Everyone still seems so fed up of Prospect Farm he's got no idea what to say.
Well, no more have I, Helen. Yes, yes, of course I will.
-Has the second post been? -Yes, yes, I think so.
MRS ALTON: Oh, drat the thing!
(CLEARS THROAT)
I still can't get him to talk about it.
He's not in the best of moods.
Well, action will have to speak louder than words!
-Mrs Herriot! -Needs must, Mrs Alton.
Siegfried, Mrs Alton's having awful trouble.
I can't get it to go. Maybe if you...
Curious. It seemed to be working perfectly well earlier this morning.
Uh...
Probably just a loose connection.
(MACHINE STARTS)
Oh, dear, what a pity! It's given such good service for so long.
(SNEEZES)
She looks better already. Peaceful like.
-She'll need looking after for a while. -Aye, I know.
-Well, I could do with a cup of tea. Mr Herriot? -I better be off, thanks.
I know what I could do with.
Don't know when I've worked harder for a beer than I have this afternoon.
(BOB HUMMING)
Well, it's a bit early, but I think we've got it under control.
It should be, we've been working night and day.
This farm's not clean, it's as near as damned.
If it was that easy.
I know, with Johne's disease, you've got a friend for life.
That's what they say.
Well, we've got permission from the ministry to vaccinate.
Important for the new stock.
-When are you bringing in the Friesians? -Week after next.
Make sure you keep them off the infected pasture, eh?
It's still too soon.
Like I said, we've got to look forward, it's the only way.
We must buy in and we've got to start grading up, straight away.
-Hello! -Hello, Mr Herriot!
-So how's your dad? -Still licking his wounds.
I've seen to it he's been too busy to worry about it.
I never did thank you for asking me to propose that toast tonight.
(CHUCKLES) No, you never did.
By the way, we never did get a reply from Mr Farnon.
-Will he be here? -Oh, he wouldn't miss it for the world.
-Hello, Bob! -Mr Farnon.
-Good as new, huh? -Aye, Mr Herriot did a grand job.
It's not the sort of thing I'd like to see again, though.
-So what is it this time, Bob? -It's me brother's bullocks.
Mange, he said. Lice, I reckon.
(CHUCKLES) Course, he would have to reckon summat else.
He's gone off, and left them down in bottom pasture.
Gone into Darrowby to have his suit cleaned, Shadwell's feast.
Oh, yes, of course.
Looking forward to it, Mr Farnon?
(CHUCKLES)
Uh, um...
Why don't we go and have a look at these beasts?
Aye, we'll have to ride, if you don't mind.
They're down Hartwith lane. A bit muddy down there, not gettin' down in a car.
Right, well that could be very pleasant.
Point me at my steed. Just the thing to blow the cobwebs away.
It's me brother's bike. It's a rough ride, but you'll not notice once you get going.
-Ah, thank you, James. -You did reply to the Shadwells?
What? Well, um...
You did get their invitation?
Um...
You didn't get their invitation.
Well, I thought it was probably some kind of mistake, James, you know, but...
Oh, come on, Siegfried.
You've known Bill since before I came to Darrowby.
How could you possibly imagine?
(CHUCKLES)
Foolish it may be, but I did begin to imagine that
because I was the one who actually took the bad news up there that perhaps...
Siegfried!
Which reminds me, you've got a tricky task on hand tonight, don't you?
I have indeed.
And I've been giving some little thought to how you might approach
the question of the toast.
Oh, thanks a lot.
Ah, lunch!
What's the matter?
Well, to be frank with you, James, I've been up at Holt Farm.
-Sheep? -Bullocks.
Siegfried, what's happened to all that joy of the saddle? All that fitness?
Don't be silly, James. A horse hasn't yet been foaled that I can't cope with,
but have you ever tried to ride Bob Stockdale's brother's bike?
You look smashing, love.
-And you are going to enjoy yourself. -I'll do as I'm told.
Aye, you will that.
Come on.
-All well, Mr Grimsdale? -Aye! Very well.
Especially since I got the better of your brother over my bull.
Here's to him!
(CROWD APPLAUDS)
(MAN SHUSHING)
Uh... (CLEARS THROAT)
First of all I'd like to thank you all for coming.
(ALL CHEERING)
I've not got a lot to say, so you've no need to panic about that.
Uh...
This is all.
It's to say thank you...
Bill and Molly made this farm. I know that.
It took a lot of years. And it took a lot more than years.
I know that, I know.
The Prospect herd is known all over North of England.
There's not a finer strain of dairy Shorthorn I know of.
And that's what Bill Shadwell made of Prospect Farm.
Well, uh, times change.
You'll know, some of you, that I'm going over to Friesians,
and that's not something Dad and me have seen eye to eye over.
But there's other things don't change.
There may be another Prospect herd.
But it won't just be any herd.
Not with Bill Shadwell's teaching behind me.
If I live to be half the dairy farmer my dad was, I'll be a proud man.
But I know I'll never fill his shoes.
There's not a better farmer, nor a finer man in this dale.
Thanks, Dad.
MAN: Will you be quiet please, for Mr Herriot?
Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking...
I, um...
It is a very great honour to be asked to propose this toast.
I came to the dales a lot...
I came to the dales a lot of years ago.
And as soon as I arrived, I felt that I was among friends.
And so I stayed.
And I married here.
And if ever I needed a reminder of why I love this part of Yorkshire,
I wouldn't have to look much further than tonight.
Now, we're meant to be here to drink to Bill and Molly's retirement,
but I think with Peter's plans for Prospect Farm,
he's gonna need someone to give him a bit of guidance
when it comes to choosing new stock, don't you?
So, I ask you to raise your glasses.
To Bill and Molly Shadwell, to everything that Prospect Farm is.
And to everything that it's going to be.
ALL: Bill and Molly!
GRIMSDALE: There's nothing wrong with my bull.
Mr Grimsdale, if Siegfried says there is a foreign object
of a dangerous and metallic nature in the reticulum of your Hereford,
let me assure you, there is.
You'll never admit you're wrong, you lot.
You can't say Mr Farnon's wrong.
I can, and I do. I certainly do.
He's right. And I can prove it.
Well, your brother couldn't.
If I can prove there's a metal object in the bull's stomach, without question,
will you agree to an operation on said beast?
Come on then. Put your money where your mouth is.
Right.
When?
Give me half an hour. Mr Grimsdale's establishment then.
Now?
I know that dawn is the traditional hour for these affairs of honour,
Mr Grimsdale, but I'd never get up in time.
Right.
Half an hour, then.
Gentlemen!
-Where's he gone? -The farm, I suppose.
Out of here like bats out of hell.
He didn't say anything?
Not to me, apparently there's some problem with Grimsdale's bull.
(SIGHS) Damn it. I'd better get over there.
Right, James.
It's a wonderful vacuum cleaner.
I can clean the whole of Skeldale in no time.
He's coming, Mrs Alton, I intend to try the same trick on James.
-Hello, darling! -Hello.
A nail, common or garden.
Now, I'll place this nail in the vicinity of the detector, so!
(MACHINE BEEPS)
(EXCLAIMS)
You register the effect, Mr Grimsdale?
Now we will place the apparatus
in close proximity to the bull's reticulum, or second stomach.
I predict a similar effect.
(DETECTOR WHINES)
By heck, you're right!
Quod erat demonstrandum!
Is there any more beer?
Well, aye me, Mr Farnon. We best see about the operation.
There you are, go and have a listen.
-We haven't paid for that thing yet, have we? -No.
I suppose you can't really send it back, now it's been used.
Not really.
Since we've got it, I think I ought to know how it works.
That's odd. There's a letter here for me.
It is odd.
That's very odd indeed. My invitation to Bill Shadwell's feast.
You won't go far wrong if they're all like this.
Mind you, I don't know what your father is going to make of it.
He'll learn.
When you're ready, James.
Cows like these gonna make our Friesians the best herd in North Riding.
It'll take time, though, of course.
Ah, that's some beautiful pair of cows, by heck.
What do you reckon?
How goes it, Bill?
Nowhere near the class of a good Shorthorn,
but I dare say they'll milk well enough.
How are things, Mr Grimsdale?
Things could be a lot better, if I could keep that bull of mine in.
Ever since that operation, he's been nowt but trouble.
He's been at my neighbour's beasts twice in the last week.
He's gone again now.
And if I get hold of him today,
I'll be putting a few foreign objects back inside him.
Come along, Ken!
(ENGINE SPUTTERS)
Don't you think we should pawn the instruments and treat you to a service?
Yes, I think so, James.
(SPITS)
Siegfried...
Siegfried!
(BELLOWING)
Well, old Grimsdale was right about one thing.
-What's that, James? -He does like you, Siegfried.