The many virtues of the stinging nettle

摘要

I was out with the dog one fine evening re-cendy and we entered a field of cattle. I am normally wary of a canine-bovine interaction but, on this occasion, valour overcame discretion and we continued on our way. I had, however, underestimated the curiosity of frisky bullocks and, to my dismay and to Skye's terror, the creatures mobbed us. We beat a difficult retreat, which involved negotiating a barbed wire fence, a muddy ditch and a large patch of nettles. Unfortunately, I was wearing shorts, and I suffered well into the next day. Inevitably, nettles were brought to the forefront of my thoughts.