When foot-and-mouth disease breaks out at Reg Manston's farm the whole area is put on the alert, and it is hard for the old farmer to see his life's work destroyed. Good news on the other hand for the customer's of the Aidensfield Arms. George's beautiful 18-year old niece Gina arrives in Aidensfield to help him out in the pub during his illness.

Vernon Scripps has really made a killing on the paintings he bought from Steve Crane's mother. He kept one of them though. The one called "Tower Bridge". He organizes an auction for the benefit of Sir Nigel Fethersone's charity foundation and is "persuaded" by Oscar Blaketon to donate the "Tower Bridge" painting himself. But somebody steals the painting and he gets David to make a duplicate. Jenny surprises an intruder at Sergeant Merton's house. He does not hurt her, but only looks firmly at her and walks calmly away. The intruder is Eddie Harvey and he wants the sergeant to tell him the name of the man who grassed on him and an accomplice on a bank robbery. If Merton does not yield Harvey will kill Jenny.

Sergeant Miller has a clash with three Australians when they graze his patrol car on their way to Grimedale Farm to do some sheep shearing for George Grigson. And Miller is not the only one having trouble with them. They are eating Gina out of house and home - or at least Aidensfield Arms - and Grigson's golden watch is missing when they have left the farm. Others also find their way to Aidensfield. Reverend Jamie Finn returns to collect his motor bike - and not the least to see Rosie again. Furthermore he has a suggestion that completely knocks her off her feet. Aunt Peggy is short of money and buys a brand new washing machine open up a laundry. But modern contraptions like that are complicated machines - especially for David. Miller has a word with PC Mason about his replacement, but Mason is not sure he wants to leave anymore. Rosie Cartright decides to go to Australia with the visitors when they return.