James Herriot finds himself skiing through snowy dales to save a litter of dying piglets. Helen is confined to bed having a slipped a disc and Tristan is hoping that Siegfried will give him a job as he has resigned from the Ministry of Agriculture.

With Helen still bedridden, there is

a dramatic increase in domestic chaos. While James struggles manfully with both chores and children, Siegfried and Tristan praise his noble efforts -- and do precisely nothing. Tristan nfuriates Mr. Bushy, a redoubtable farmer, by treating a dog instead of Busby's cow, by sleeping in, and finally by treating a bull instead of Busby's dog!

James receives a cry for help from the isolated Bramley family who last came to town in 1929.

A typical Yorkshire farmer is transformed into a cowboy; with Siegfried in London, Tristan is left with the worst patients.

Helen is finally up and about - only to face the morning after the chaos of Tristan's party the night before.

The Herriots prepare to move to Rowangarth and another emergency with Granville Bennett.

Siegfried is saddened by the death of a young bull terrier - one of an inseparable pair of dogs.

Siegfried is determined to make the errant farmers pay their bills.

Siegfried gives a friend's offspring some experience in the surgery. Calum initially resents this, but bucks up when he sees the young student.

James wears his shorts to a visit and is challenged to a race, while Jock, a once champion sheepdog, and delights in chasing cars from the farm.

Siegfried buys a television set, and James has to deal with a man who has cancer.