- 5 weeks ago
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00:00In the heart of glorious North Yorkshire, just outside the historic market town of Thirsk, sits Stony Brough Farm, home to Jean and Steve Green.
00:12Hello, girls!
00:14Side by side for nearly 50 years, in his mid-90s, Steve's one of the oldest working farmers in the country.
00:23Come on, then. Hiya!
00:26These animals just get us out of there.
00:30And while times are changing...
00:32If she get going, I'll be all right.
00:34I'm good.
00:36...always there to help...
00:37If in doubt for Mrs. Green, go for the Yorkshire.
00:40...is their long-time vet...
00:41Oh, we seem to like that.
00:45...and friend, Peter Wright.
00:47It's nice to see you looking hunky-dory.
00:49Definitely.
00:50...during these golden years, this couple of proud Yorkshire rare breeds...
00:54Well, I'm Yorkshire born and bred, but I must stick in the head.
01:00...love to embrace their heritage.
01:02This is a deed from 1706.
01:04Whoa!
01:05Man, what's in it, Pete?
01:07...while still moving with the times.
01:09Wow.
01:10She's got it into her head that she would like it to, too.
01:13I'm thinking on four-hand.
01:15...as the adventures continue.
01:17What a three-way.
01:18...on this family farm like no other.
01:22Welcome to the go-stand.
01:24Oh, wow.
01:25Don't panic, I'm here to hold you around.
01:28At home with the Greens.
01:31Sunrise at Stony Brough Farm, where Gene and Steve Green face the unexpected challenges of each new day with something you can't bottle and sell.
01:53...yorkshire spirit.
01:56Oh, yeah.
01:58Milkman's been magic.
02:00Their 14 cats...
02:01I'll be happy with that.
02:03...are even more excited by the daily delivery.
02:06Come on.
02:07Gilly, gilly, gilly.
02:07Yeah, cats.
02:09How's that for you?
02:11You can't do much on a farm without a fine to move.
02:14While for Gene, it always brings back memories of when this was a dairy farm.
02:23Looking around and telling you where every cow stood in this building.
02:29At number one, there was Dirty Gertie from number 30.
02:33There was Peanut, there was Sprocket, and there was Lola and Bobtail.
02:39We used to get up in the morning, carve down what was to carve.
02:44Milk the rest, then turn them out into a field and feed them all with muck-out pens.
02:50There was no rest for the wicked, so we must have been a bad couple.
02:55But when Steve's health began to decline, everything changed.
03:00Steve had to go into hospital suddenly for an operation, and sadly, they said at his age, he won't be able to continue looking after his cows.
03:11There's two hundred years of being cows on here.
03:15I just can't come.
03:17Bad giraffe, bad Sprocket, bad Lola, bad Bobtail.
03:25All of them cows like loving kids.
03:29That's the end of the matter.
03:30I still think of them all stood in here, enjoying it, and going out at sun, aren't you?
03:47When the cows go, the soul just goes out of the buildings.
03:53So it's the end of an era.
03:56End of an era.
03:57Very sad.
04:00My girls!
04:01Even though it's ten years ago, it's still too much.
04:14You can't bear thinking about it.
04:16And what happened to them, and what sort of life they got when they left here, nobody knows.
04:22And it's very raw.
04:25Steve's all right.
04:26He's like me.
04:27You can't do nothing but miss them.
04:29I've spent 70 years every morning milking.
04:34It's something I don't forget.
04:37It used to be lovely and warm coming in on a winter's morning.
04:40It's where I've spent a lot of my life, really.
04:44Them are all milking pipes, like.
04:47It's left.
04:48This is how I started it.
04:51Press that button there.
04:54Now it's dead.
04:56Now it doesn't start up anymore.
04:59No, there's nothing like a dairy cow, really.
05:05Since Gene and Steve's day, dairy farming has seen the dawn of a new era.
05:10And up on the North York moors that overlook Thirsk, their friend Abby has embraced it.
05:17With a rotary milking parlour transforming production levels.
05:21My granddad used to milk 80 cows every three hours.
05:26And we milked 320 an hour.
05:33We love an early morning, us farmers.
05:36We start at half five.
05:39They're long hours, but I love working with dairy cows.
05:43You see them every day.
05:45And you get to know their personalities.
05:48And they're just lovely to work with.
05:50But even on a modern farm, the same old problems can't be avoided.
05:56Hello, darling.
05:59You're not very well, are you?
06:01And Peter is on his way.
06:03It's a client I know very well, Abby and her father, Trevor.
06:09And apparently Trevor's stumped with this case.
06:11He's not quite sure what's going on.
06:14I think it's something quite serious with her, really.
06:17For her to go like she has done.
06:19This case has worried me a great deal because farmers such as Trevor are very experienced.
06:28And if they're stumped, it's always a puzzler for a vet as well.
06:36She's one of our better cows, like.
06:39So it's not good at all.
06:45Morning.
06:46Morning.
06:46Morning.
06:47How are you doing?
06:48So bad.
06:49Yeah.
06:50Better than this, I'd love.
06:51She doesn't look good, does she?
06:53No, no.
06:53She has that sickly look about her.
06:55Was she milking well?
06:56Yeah, she was doing very well.
06:57She's nowhere near as much now, like.
07:00Well, a lot of animals, you look at their eyes, you know, she looks miserable.
07:04Has she lost a lot of condition, Trevor?
07:05Yes, she has.
07:07Mmm.
07:08Court looks starey, doesn't it?
07:09Yeah, yeah.
07:10It's one thing you can tell with cow with no coat, if something is going wrong inside.
07:16It's not obvious, normal temperature.
07:21It is.
07:21Yeah.
07:22Her heart rate's sucked.
07:24I think she's in pain for reasons I don't know yet.
07:28Have you found something?
07:34Well, I think there's some glands up in here, just near the left side kidney.
07:41There's something not very nice going on in that abdomen.
07:45No.
07:46I don't like it when my animals are poorly.
07:49So I'm really hoping she'll get better, because I just love my cows.
07:58Coming up...
07:59Come on!
08:00Gilly, gilly, gilly, gilly, gilly!
08:01...from Jean's waifs and strays...
08:03If you want a home, you have to have a home.
08:06...to a homeless tortoise who badly needs Matt to save him.
08:10Fractures in tortoise's shells are often the most severe injuries that they could ever come across.
08:13And Peter helps with the greens' donkey work.
08:17In more ways than one.
08:20You're pulling me!
08:22Ha-ha!
08:22In Stony Brough Farms' old milking parlour...
08:38Get cracking, lad.
08:39...the greens are still producing the goods.
08:42Steve's on the chin, Lynn. I'm on bucket duty.
08:45Despite some recent health concerns...
08:48Hey, what was going to work?
08:50...Jean's arthritis means she gets to sit down.
08:52And it'll never stop her having some fun.
08:55Don't hit me finger!
08:57Ha-ha! You're about to be quick!
09:01Boy, you're making a good job!
09:04I just did it, didn't you?
09:06You nearly missed it, lad.
09:08But when he spies her walking stick, it's Steve's turn to play the joker.
09:14Hey, give up your silly man!
09:17Ha-ha!
09:18You get daft her!
09:19Revenge!
09:20Ha-ha!
09:23This part of the farm will always bring back memories of their dairy farming.
09:28We had 14 cows in here.
09:31It's more or less a store shed now.
09:33I felt sad at first.
09:36But now I've got used to it.
09:40But you never forget, really.
09:43I've still got memories with me.
09:48I have.
09:50Of course, nostalgia does airbrush some of the day-to-day issues that come with running a busy operation.
09:58And up on the North York Moors, at Abbey and Trevor's modern dairy farm, Peter's trying to work out why their cow is so poorly.
10:06That's one of the smell of the breath.
10:08Because if you've got a tooth problem, an abscess there, anything like that, the smell quite obviously.
10:12Yeah.
10:12Very obviously.
10:15She's not putting up a lot of resistance.
10:21That's sweet enough.
10:23I'm inclined to pinch a drop of blood from her.
10:25Because she's in pain, this cow.
10:27I know that for definite.
10:28Yeah, yeah.
10:29There's something not quite right in there.
10:30It feels quite knobbly.
10:32And it's right at the end of my arm.
10:33And I just can't tell her what it is.
10:35I do know this cow's in pain, so I'm going to treat her with some antibiotic.
10:43I'm going to give her a painkiller.
10:44And I'm also going to take some blood from her to see if we can find out a little bit further as to what's going on here.
10:50When she has a wee, it's not like a good flow.
10:56That's very interesting.
10:58That may be why the end of that kidney just doesn't feel right.
11:02It feels swollen and a little bit knobbly.
11:05It's like detective work, isn't it?
11:06You've got to piece it all together.
11:07Yeah, yeah.
11:10It's all right.
11:11A well animal wouldn't just stand for you like this.
11:13This is the antibiotic that's going in now.
11:17Yeah.
11:18Jump in.
11:19Just a case of what we can do.
11:24I don't like the look of her eyes.
11:26No.
11:26It's the eyes that get me.
11:27Yeah.
11:29So I'll put this red tape on so I identify she's got antibiotics in and not to go into milk tank for human consumption.
11:38It would be a disaster if this milk went into the tank because it would be tested anyway.
11:44If they found antibiotic there, all Trevor's tank full of milk, it would all be thrown away.
11:52Right.
11:53Very good.
11:54We'll keep everything crossed.
11:56Ah, yeah, that's it.
11:57There's just something around the kidney range which I'm not happy with.
12:02I'm hoping she'll be okay, but I am worried about losing her.
12:07But it wouldn't be the same without her.
12:10In this situation where we don't know fully what's going on, there is a possibility that this cow might not make it.
12:16Sadly, in farming, you know, something like this can go either way.
12:27Down at Stony Brook Farm...
12:29Look at your own big'em.
12:30On your bike!
12:31It's not the cows who've been suffering with health problems just lately.
12:35Oh, man!
12:37Get your elbows in!
12:40Although Jean and Steve have always met the challenges of farming with a sunny disposition...
12:45Oh, you're making a good job.
12:48Not a bad one for an amateur.
12:50Recently, freezing temperatures got the better of them.
12:56Well, I've got arthritis flying up this morning.
13:00Once I get more bad, I'll be all right.
13:02I'm cold.
13:04It's at seven degrees below freezing this morning, and I'm worried about your youthful assistant.
13:09No, I'm all right.
13:11I'd rather abandon the job.
13:13It's a bit too cold to carry on, so I'll have to go in.
13:20It's more steady, Jade.
13:25That'll do.
13:26Oi!
13:27Got one more job to do.
13:29And while it's hard to dampen the spirits of these two for long...
13:34Hiya!
13:36I'm playing this car for old snow.
13:40They have accepted some help from Peter.
13:43Just recently, Steve and Jean have been struggling a bit on the farm.
13:48I've got the bus to get to the doctor for ten past three.
13:52So, it's hectic.
13:54And I said I would come and give him a bit of a hand.
14:00Hey!
14:01One thing I've noticed when I've been at Mr and Mrs Green's is that fire never stops.
14:06So, I thought, well, I can't do anything much better than sell some firewood.
14:12They always say it warms you up twice.
14:14Once when you're doing it, and again when you're sitting over a blazing long fire.
14:19Come on!
14:20Get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it!
14:22Most of Jean's life has been about helping others.
14:27There you are.
14:28You've got plenty.
14:30Right, I'm going to sit down.
14:32And giving lots of waifs and strays a happy, healthy life.
14:37You enjoying this, eh?
14:40I've had cats since I was a nipper.
14:42And we've always had cats here.
14:45Oh, I love my cats.
14:47Wouldn't be without them.
14:48I can't turn them down if they want a home.
14:51They have to have a home.
14:53But at present, I've got plenty on.
14:56Bye, you moggies.
14:58See you later.
15:02Thanks to the Green's friend and intrepid Yorkshire vet, Matt.
15:06Would you do this one sitting on your lap on a Sunday afternoon?
15:09Yeah, I wouldn't, wouldn't you?
15:10Jean got to feed a much bigger cat.
15:13I think you found your new guard cat for the farm, eh?
15:16Yeah.
15:18Helping exotic creatures is Matt's passion.
15:21There you go, Shuna.
15:22Good girl.
15:23And like Jean, giving a home to those that need one.
15:27Come on, Dennis.
15:29I tend to take in the guys that have got no home
15:31and have scales instead of fur.
15:37And today, at his practice in Huddersfield,
15:40Matt needs to help a homeless animal
15:42who suffered a serious injury.
15:45Right there, let's go grab him.
15:46Which has shocked RSPCA officer, Sarah.
15:50One of my colleagues picked up a tortoise
15:52that was found wandering on a farm track in Lincolnshire
15:55and it had a huge crack in its shell.
15:58It looks like it's been dropped from a great height
16:01so it's got a huge open crack down the left-hand side.
16:05I've never seen anything like that in my life.
16:07I've never seen a tortoise with such a bad injury.
16:10Nurse Natalie is helping Matt.
16:12Best way just to go either side?
16:13Yeah, just like a little burger.
16:15Who's under no illusions about how serious this is.
16:19Lovely. Go on, you.
16:21Fractures in tortoises' shells
16:23are often the most severe injuries that they could ever come across.
16:25If there's any debris that gets in there,
16:27any infection, it can cause septicemia,
16:29they can die from it.
16:31It's very 50-50.
16:32It's really a last chance saloon,
16:33but I've got all my fingers crossed.
16:35Hoping to bring the tortoise back from the brink.
16:38I'm so excited.
16:39First tortoise in the CT scanner.
16:42Yes.
16:43Buzzing.
16:44Matt's given him a fitting name.
16:47This better work.
16:48Lazarus, you've been given a biblical name
16:50looking for a biblical recovery.
16:53Oh, wow.
16:54God, there's the crack.
16:57You can immediately see here
16:59where this gap in the shell is.
17:02This is the impact point
17:03where I think the shell's been forced down
17:06and it's cracked and split down this right-hand side.
17:09And to reconstruct this shell,
17:10I'm going to need to pop that top part out
17:14to bring the left and right halves together.
17:18Facing such a tricky procedure,
17:20Matt is all ears.
17:21Whether I can pop that up and push that down.
17:25I'm sorry, Muffin.
17:27And fellow vet Joe has an idea.
17:30If you put one in to open the gap
17:31and then another one down to put it up,
17:33that's what you do in a bone.
17:34You move it like two planes.
17:36Let's do that.
17:37Tell you what, it's worth a go.
17:38Right, Joe.
17:39If I lift, you can pop that up.
17:44Oh, it's going.
17:45I've got it.
17:46Can you push right at the end there?
17:48That's it, that's it, that's it.
17:50There's some good movement there, Joe.
17:52There.
17:53He's got it.
17:56Perfect.
17:57Right, that'll come together like that.
17:58Good job, team.
17:59Did it.
17:59Five.
18:00Thanks, Joe.
18:01So I've managed to lift up the top part
18:05where the initial dent was
18:06and set this half of the shell
18:08back into the correct position.
18:10So now I can close that defect.
18:13But for this unusual job,
18:15the hospital's medicine dispensary
18:17was never going to cut it.
18:19I've been to the DIY shop.
18:20I've got myself the cable ties,
18:22the cable tie holders,
18:23the resin.
18:24Who'd have thought, hey,
18:25not going in to fix the kitchen.
18:27I'm going in to get some stuff
18:28to fix the tortoise.
18:29Although Gene and Steve
18:35have had their struggles recently...
18:37My old age is caught up,
18:39but that's life
18:41and you're going to carry on with it.
18:44These stoic Yorkshire farmers
18:46will always be there for their animals.
18:49Are you all right?
18:50Yeah.
18:51And today they're donkeys,
18:53Sybil and Fernando.
18:55Hello, you two.
18:56What are you doing?
18:57I know there's something fishy this morning.
19:01Have an appointment with Peter.
19:05Peter's coming to have a look
19:06at your teeth this morning
19:08because you're getting on
19:10and you can't eat your food as good.
19:13Is that all right, Sybil?
19:17Sometimes as humans,
19:18we don't look forward
19:19to going to the dentist
19:20and I think Sybil and Fernando
19:22will be no different.
19:24Sybil's easy to do with,
19:25but he could be
19:27a pain up the bar.
19:30He's giving me the evil eye.
19:33As if to say,
19:34well, you're not having me.
19:38Good morning.
19:39Morning, Peter.
19:40How are you?
19:41All right.
19:42Well,
19:42I know you're a little bit concerned
19:44about Sybil and her eating,
19:46so I thought it was a good idea
19:47if we make sure her teeth are OK.
19:49She's putting food out a bit.
19:51Well, that's a good clear indication
19:53that maybe all isn't well in there.
19:55No.
19:56Right.
19:57Let's get organised.
20:00Where do you go down, Peter?
20:02Well,
20:02it's a head rest,
20:03Steve,
20:03so when I've sedated Sybil,
20:06we can stand around
20:07with a head on here,
20:08like this,
20:08and then I can pop a gag
20:10and open her mouth
20:11and we can have a look.
20:12I can maybe do with Jean
20:15and see I'm down.
20:15I think I can, Steve.
20:18Bite!
20:21Steve and Jean
20:22haven't been on good form
20:23just recently,
20:24but I'm going to ask Jean
20:26if she's able to hold them
20:27while we have a quick look.
20:28Not going no way.
20:30I think she'll be able.
20:32Womp, womp, womp, womp, womp, womp.
20:34All right, Jean.
20:35She should get a bit woozy now.
20:38Right.
20:39It'll stop her panicking as well.
20:41Aye.
20:42More so than for pain reasons.
20:44Right.
20:45You'll pop your head on there.
20:47Now then,
20:48we're in position now.
20:50Let's have a look
20:50and see what we can do here.
20:53What the lie?
20:55We've got a nasty point on here.
20:57Really, really sharp
20:58on the front of this
21:00low cheek teeth.
21:01So I'm going to rest those off,
21:03but it's that point
21:04that's really nasty.
21:06It'll cause a lot of pain,
21:08that Jean,
21:08if it's left.
21:08Yeah.
21:09It's like a needle.
21:10It's that sharp.
21:11Good girl.
21:15You're all right.
21:17That's it.
21:22I'm glad you ain't doing that teeth.
21:24You're next, Jean.
21:26No, you're on your bike.
21:29Or is he, in fact,
21:30on the ropes?
21:31Okay.
21:33Me hands are slipping.
21:36No.
21:36No, no.
21:37Oh, man.
21:38You're pulling me.
21:40Bang it.
21:41No, it's not an easy job, is it?
21:43No.
21:45Coming up...
21:46Bloody hell.
21:4795.
21:48I don't know which hill does it.
21:49...make do and mend
21:50with the farmhouse
21:52and the tortoise shell.
21:55We'll put some more of the resin around
21:57so that it sets.
21:59Oh, no.
22:01Before the ultimate bombshell.
22:03Jean was taking poorly.
22:05We miss her awfully, like.
22:07As Jean is taken to hospital.
22:09You've never been really separated, have you?
22:11Never.
22:11Not for one night?
22:13No.
22:13A bit of Yorkshire grit
22:24can get you through
22:25lots of unpleasant moments.
22:27Yeah, focus is a point on it.
22:29And a green's donkey, Sybil,
22:31needs some today,
22:32with Peter doing her dental work.
22:34That's beautiful and flat there now.
22:37Flat as a punky.
22:39Sybil's teeth have been
22:40making it difficult to eat.
22:42So, I'm just firing off
22:45the sharp edges
22:45that cut into the cheek teeth.
22:48And that should be
22:49quite reasonable now.
22:52That's it.
22:53Now we're winning.
22:56Right.
22:57Let's have a feel at that now.
22:59Yep.
23:00That's got that nicely.
23:03Right.
23:03Very good.
23:05Sybil, you're done.
23:06You've had a good job, Pete.
23:08He's a dentist as well.
23:10Jack of all trades, Steve.
23:13Sybil has been the perfect patient.
23:15All right, Seb.
23:16Does that feel nicer?
23:17I bet it does, you know.
23:19Now Peter's turning his attention
23:21to the less predictable Fernando.
23:24Yeah, he could be a problem, like.
23:26He could be.
23:27Come, Mr. Fernando.
23:28You'll pop your nose in there for me.
23:30There's a good lad.
23:31Not as easy to handle, are you?
23:34He's a lot younger, obviously, than Sybil.
23:36So, basically, Fernando's losing his milk teeth
23:40and getting his permanence through.
23:42All he's got is a hook.
23:44We've seen him as a Sybil, actually,
23:45so I'm just going to rasp that off
23:47and I think that's all we need to do.
23:49Oh, boy.
23:55Fernando's a model patient.
23:56I couldn't ask for anything better.
23:58He's not sedated and he's standing here like a statue.
24:02I think he realises we're doing him good.
24:05Donkeys aren't daft.
24:06I didn't expect him help.
24:08I didn't expect him standing.
24:12Right, that's it, Mrs. Green.
24:14Thank you very much.
24:16Er, next.
24:18Yep, next.
24:20Hurry up, off your mouth.
24:22Oh, serious work to be done in there.
24:24We'll have to sit for ready mix, Mrs. Green.
24:27Right, sit for ready mix.
24:31With Jean having some health problems recently
24:34and Steve approaching his 96th birthday,
24:38Peter's also been helping out
24:39in a non-veterinary capacity.
24:42Bloody hell.
24:4395, I don't know, he still does it.
24:48So with Jean and Steve able to relax a bit...
24:51It's nice if I sit down, Jean,
24:52and I'll come and tell you.
24:55Soon it might not just be the donkeys with teeth trouble.
24:58Oh!
24:59The big green for...
25:01I'll be visiting dentists.
25:04It's a good cup of tea, though, isn't it?
25:06I wouldn't mind this every day, Jean.
25:08Only a bite!
25:09I wouldn't mind it at all.
25:11But Jean needn't worry.
25:15Steve's soon back to it.
25:17I just do wet my things, as you say.
25:19With lots of little DIY jobs around the farm.
25:25I'm just fixing this old window.
25:27Meanwhile, over in Huddersfield...
25:34Perfect, yeah.
25:36Their friend Mats had to go to the DIY store for his unusual job.
25:41Trying to create a mess here, Natalie.
25:43He and nurse Natalie are trying to save Lazarus the tortoise,
25:47who has a fractured shell.
25:49One way to bring a tortoise shell back together is to use cable ties,
25:53because all we need to do is use some resin to glue these holders onto the side of the shell, like that.
25:59And once they're glued and in place, the cable tie will go through here like that.
26:03And I'll use another cable tie, to get the tension and pull everything together.
26:11It really is something you've got to go all in with the repair,
26:15and the tortoise has really got to be strong to be able to survive the fixing.
26:20Right, let's do it.
26:22Mix together.
26:28And put some more of the resin around them, so that it sets.
26:33And then, last one in place.
26:36Plan now to give it some time, allow that resin to set.
26:38So, once those anchoring points are set, we can start pulling those shell edges together.
26:51Come on you, let's get you put back together.
26:54We have had 24 hours since I put the anchor points on, and they have set rock solid.
27:01So, hopefully, there will be plenty of strength in there, to hold the cable ties, when I reduce that fracture site.
27:09That like that.
27:10And if I push that up there, you pull on that.
27:13Ready?
27:13Three, two, one.
27:14Pull.
27:15Push that right down.
27:16That go again.
27:17Give it another pull.
27:18There.
27:19Tell you what, those anchoring points are strong, aren't they?
27:22They ain't good anywhere, aren't they?
27:23They're not moving now.
27:25But have they spoken too soon?
27:27Oh, no!
27:33Too much!
27:34With one of the cable tie holders unstuck, they need a quick fix.
27:38I don't know whether the tissue will hold on it.
27:43No.
27:43It's worth a go.
27:46Let's see how we do.
27:48Let's go for it.
27:51Okay, go.
27:51They're quite solid now, fingers crossed.
27:57Well, we shall find out.
27:59That's it, right, release.
28:01Look at that, look at that, brilliant.
28:03All right, here we go.
28:05So, I've managed to reduce that fracture, but we've got still a little bit of a gap there,
28:10which I don't think we can do too much about.
28:15Well done, mister.
28:18Well done.
28:19This is antibiotic, and now I get his pain relief.
28:22Fingers crossed.
28:23Hopefully, we'll be okay.
28:25We're not doing a victory dance just yet, but so far, so good.
28:30All right.
28:31Happy?
28:31Happy.
28:32Going back to bed?
28:33Happy.
28:33Let's put him back to bed.
28:36Signs are looking really good.
28:37Lazarus is moving around, so hopefully everything's heading in the right direction.
28:49Back at Stony Brough, Steve's repairs are done for now.
28:53That's as good as your daddy.
28:57But his daughter, Sarah, is busier than ever.
28:59Hello, everybody, you look amazing.
29:02With Jean taking some well-earned rest time indoors.
29:05Thank you, girls.
29:06Thank you, girls.
29:08Can you pant on, woman?
29:14Farming really can take its toll, and that's especially true when a health concern...
29:19Hello, girls.
29:20...leads to the worst possible outcome.
29:23Peter's heading back up to the moors to see Abby, whose cow had a mystery illness.
29:30I understand, very sadly, that our patient, the dairy cow, has died.
29:39The blood sample results pointed to the fact there was an infection going on here.
29:44It's obviously been a very nasty infection, even from the word go.
29:48It may be that this cow was never going to make it.
29:53Are you ready to go out and play?
29:56It's a nice sunny day.
29:59I must admit, it really does get to me in these situations very badly.
30:04How are you?
30:08Now then, Peter.
30:09How are you doing?
30:10Better when the sun's shining.
30:12Aye.
30:12Perks us all up, doesn't it?
30:14Yeah, definitely.
30:17It's very sad when I heard that you lost that cow.
30:21And the veterinary surgeons, you know, you do your best.
30:24But sometimes we never know what's going on there.
30:27I just love them to bits, and I hate it when I lose one of them.
30:31I know.
30:32It's like they've lost a friend.
30:34You know, that's a lovely way of looking at things, Abby.
30:36It is like one big family, isn't it?
30:38Yeah.
30:40And in times of trouble, families come together.
30:44She might give you a kiss, if you're lucky.
30:47Would she?
30:47She might do.
30:51No way.
30:56She loves you.
30:59Abby, my credibility just won't let nobody watch you.
31:04Oh, good girl, Louie.
31:14See those cows now?
31:15They're jogging because the promised land's in sight.
31:18They can see this lovely grass awaiting them, and they can't wait to get out here.
31:22You can see the joy on their faces, can't you, when they come out?
31:29Yeah.
31:31To see this lot as happy as Larry on a day like this, it makes you realise why we do what we do, doesn't it?
31:39Yeah.
31:40Yeah.
31:40The sad bit about it is that she's not here.
31:45To enjoy this?
31:46Yeah.
31:46I know you certainly won't forget you.
31:48No.
31:49She was a character.
31:51Was she?
31:52Yeah.
31:53Down in Thirsk, Stony Brough Farm's big character is suddenly not here.
32:09A couple of days ago, Jane was taken poorly.
32:21She's been taken to the region's main hospital up in Middlesbrough.
32:25With Steve and Sarah left holding the fort.
32:33Just give me a minute to...
32:36While Jean put her recent struggles down to arthritis...
32:40Hold on a sec, can I take hold of you?
32:42Yeah.
32:45Once you get going, I'll be all right.
32:49It transpired that she has a more pressing health problem.
32:55She's got gallstones.
32:59We don't know if she's going to have an operation yet or not, but we're going to wait and find out.
33:05We were a bit scared, but anybody in their right mind would be scared, wouldn't they?
33:12I went to see her yesterday.
33:16She's got drips in her hands, in her hand.
33:22She's probably in pain, like.
33:26We miss her awfully, like, terribly.
33:30That always seems empty.
33:33We've worked together that long as we know what each other's going to do.
33:39I am awfully lonely. I am.
33:42I am.
33:52Hello, Ruben.
33:52Hello, Steve.
33:53Hello, then, Peter.
33:55I've come to see how things are here.
33:58They certainly aren't good.
34:01How's Jean doing?
34:02I think she's doing pretty well.
34:04Yes.
34:05Yeah.
34:06Good.
34:06And how are you managing?
34:07Oh, not so bad.
34:09I've got a new woman on that.
34:12Oh, she's doing very well.
34:13Good. Well, that's good to hear.
34:15All right.
34:16Because the thing is, with you and Jean, I can't recall whether you're not both together.
34:22You've never been really separated, have you?
34:24Never, no.
34:26Not for one night?
34:28No.
34:28No, it is charred, isn't it?
34:30I'll tell you what, Steve, it does.
34:32Yeah.
34:32Just in case you needed anything, there's a couple of nice scones there.
34:38I know you like a scone.
34:39I do.
34:39And also, there's a couple of sandwiches there as well.
34:43Thank you very much.
34:44No, you're very welcome.
34:45I did something last night. I've never done it for a year.
34:50And I boiled two eggs.
34:51Did you?
34:53Mother cooked to perfection.
34:54Yeah.
34:59Well, the thing is, Jean's always done it, hasn't she?
35:02Oh, yeah, I always say. I'm not good at cooking.
35:06Well, I'm not.
35:10In the 40-odd years of married life, they've never had one night apart.
35:14So this is a massive thing for them, really.
35:18Hello. Can we come in back?
35:22I think they're doing okay, but we all want Jean home as soon as we possibly can.
35:27Sarah does, Steve certainly does, and I do as well.
35:32Still to come...
35:37Nothing but the best fires are there, eh?
35:40Peter plays mum to the green's cats.
35:42A different waiter today, though, is it?
35:43Yeah.
35:44And while Lazarus the tortoise needs a new home...
35:47He's needed to heal, I'm needed to keep his temperature up.
35:49And go.
35:51Will Jean be coming back to Stony Brough?
35:54He must give you a lot of comfort to have your animals round you.
35:56I do.
35:57And they know that Jean should be here, and she isn't.
36:00Stony Brough Farm has always been full of life and laughter.
36:15But with Jean in hospital, 96-year-old Steve's having to show more resilience than ever before, as he runs it alone.
36:25So as Peter follows up on his dental work on the donkeys, it's a chance to check on Steve, too.
36:31He's by himself at present while Jean's in hospital, so I'm hoping he's getting on OK.
36:40Now, Steve.
36:41Oh, I know them, Peter.
36:43How's Jean today?
36:44Er, slightly better.
36:47Good.
36:47That's good to hear.
36:51So I'm just wondering how Sybil and Fernando are doing this.
36:54Sybil's teeth weren't particularly good, so I'm hoping that she's eating a bit better.
36:59Oh, she is better.
37:01In a way, she's like a different donkey.
37:03Is she?
37:04Oh, that's lovely to hear you.
37:05Oh, it is.
37:06That's for them to eat.
37:07Oh, is it?
37:08Aye.
37:09Well, of course, just a great time, then.
37:10Well, you lead on, and I'll follow.
37:16I think they know there's some food coming, Steve.
37:19Aye.
37:20Now, children.
37:22There, now.
37:24There, children.
37:25What do you think?
37:29Well, what's very obvious is that they're both eating very well, particularly Sybil.
37:34She's making short work of that, isn't she?
37:36She is.
37:37She hasn't dropped one little bit of food, and she's chewing there very comfortably.
37:41She is.
37:42She's eating with gay abandon.
37:44She's not bothered at all.
37:45It's nice to see it when you've made a difference.
37:48Excellent job.
37:49He's enjoying himself, aren't you, Fernando?
37:56Eh?
37:57I had a happy arm.
37:58Oh, very happy.
37:59I'll tell you what I say, with Jean being in hospital, it must give you a lot of comfort
38:04to have your animals around you.
38:06How it does?
38:07We keep the company.
38:09And they know that things aren't right now, that Jean should be here, and she isn't.
38:13Let's just hope she's back soon.
38:15Aye, I hope so.
38:16Jean's 14 cats are certainly missing her.
38:23Hey, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty.
38:26Don't sound good to you, eh?
38:28Most were homeless when she took them in.
38:30Are they good?
38:33Nothing but their best foyers are there, eh?
38:36Different waiter today, though, isn't it?
38:38It's a different waiter, yeah.
38:39And a like-minded saviour of waifs and strays, Matt has adopted Lazarus the tortoise.
38:51Relax.
38:52Don't look so concerned.
38:54He was found on a farm track with a badly broken shell.
38:58He's needed to heal.
38:59I've needed to keep his temperature up.
39:00These cable ties have done the job, so I'm going to take them off.
39:03And I can just keep an eye on that crack as it slowly continues to heal.
39:07There we go.
39:08That shell is so stable now.
39:11The body's done such an incredible job at healing.
39:15There you go.
39:16When he first came in, I never thought he'd end up at home with me.
39:24I'm absolutely amazed.
39:26He's pulled the Lazarus to still be here, and it's awesome.
39:33Have a wander around in this sun, eh?
39:35Some dandelions over there.
39:36Get cracking.
39:46Gene's stay in hospital has felt like a lifetime for Steve.
39:57Well, I think it's been about a week without her.
40:02And I'm feeling lonely, like.
40:07The house is very quiet without her.
40:10Anyway, these things happen to dry, I think.
40:18But he's had some good news.
40:21Gene's coming home today.
40:24Peter's going to get her.
40:27I'm looking forward to seeing her.
40:31Gene doesn't need an operation, and she's just been discharged.
40:35Oh, great to go home.
40:41Long time apart.
40:42Now things will seem quiet for Nurse Leanne and her colleagues.
40:46Oh, we're going to miss Gene.
40:48You've been an absolute star, haven't you, Gene?
40:50Yeah.
40:50Kept us all entertained.
40:52Kept us on our toes at the time.
40:54We'll absolutely miss her.
40:56One in a million.
40:58Nice to see you, Mrs Green.
41:00Nice to see you, Peter.
41:01It's nice to see you looking hunky-dory.
41:02Jack and Ari.
41:06Right.
41:06Your chariot awaits.
41:08Let's get you loaded up.
41:11Just take your time, Gene.
41:12Take your time.
41:15Right.
41:17I think Gene is looking really well,
41:20and I know she can't wait to get home,
41:22because for Gene to get home to Stephen,
41:25I think they'll both be as happy as pigs in blankets when they get back.
41:36Well, homeward bound.
41:38Yeah.
41:38Next stop, Mr Green.
41:44I'll tell you what, Gene.
41:46It's been very strange going to the farm and you not being there.
41:49It's been...
41:50Yeah.
41:51...not right.
41:52I know for one thing for sure.
41:54When I called in and you weren't there,
41:56the animals knew.
41:58They knew that something was wrong,
42:00that you weren't there.
42:01And it was quite upsetting.
42:03It was Ruben.
42:04He was whimpering.
42:06And the cats...
42:06Some of the cats were lost.
42:13Have they told you to rest, Gene, when you get home?
42:16No.
42:16They haven't?
42:17Well, that's good,
42:18because yours will be able to get some work out of here then, won't it?
42:21I'm on an old fat diet.
42:27Right, yes.
42:28So, pork pies will be off the menu for a time.
42:35All I need to do is get up.
42:41I'll knock on the door.
42:42Shall we?
42:43Yeah.
42:44You might think it's bogeymen.
42:46Do's open.
42:48He's expecting us.
42:49Mind step, Gene.
42:52Steve, I've found this stray woman.
42:55She says she knows you.
43:00I'm pleased to see you too.
43:02All right.
43:07Contact.
43:13I'll miss you.
43:14Yeah, we've missed one another.
43:16Oh, yeah.
43:17I'll miss you.
43:19I'm back.
43:19I think I'm certain there's two requirements here now.
43:23I think it's time I went home.
43:26Things could get a bit steamy.
43:29I'd better go now and leave you to it and don't do anything I wouldn't do.
43:34Yeah, Peter.
43:35Thank you very much.
43:36I'm sorry it's meant for your team.
43:38It's nice to see you.
43:39Never mind me, it's nice to see you back home again.
43:42Thank you, Peter.
43:43Nice to see you.
43:44Life has been as never before for the Greens really, for both of them.
43:53I've known all along, all the time I've known them, what they mean to each other.
43:57But to see when they reunited tonight was something quite special.
44:01And it's a memory that will stay with me for a long, long time.
44:15Next time, Steve gets a taste of the virtual world.
44:19I just miss friends.
44:20Could have been expensive, that.
44:22But faces a bleak reality with his trusty old tractor, Oddjob.
44:26No, he's gone. He's a goner.
44:29So on a mission to save the day, is special agent Wright?
44:32I've been lurking in the shadows, waiting a moment where I can get Oddjob safely off the
44:37premises without even knowing.
44:39As the Greens seek hope for the future.
44:42Go on, poor feet, man.
45:09For my friends.
45:34Bye.
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