 Although we would never want to tempt fate, after the last few months which have seen a lot of snow, things seem to be warming up and we have even seen some new grass growth in the fields.
We have down-sized our flock quite considerably over the last 9 months or so, and now keep a small collection of ewes of all ages, for wool production. Ewes have been sold to new homes - all of them to brand new shepherds and smallholders around Scotland, and we wish them lots of luck with their very friendly sheep! The ewes have been getting their usual winter rations of ad-lib hay (which they love), some hard feed and mineral supplements both as a drench and in lick-bucket form. However, for our ewes, nothing beats grass and we've always noticed how they'll dig down through the snow to find it if they can. The ewe in the photo is our oldest, Birgitta and she is 9 this year, and showing no signs of slowing down. She was the first lamb born when we moved to this holding from our previous one, and is therefore sheep number 0001. And she knows it! Leading the other ewes in any bad behaviour that's going on she is always the sheep who thinks that our instructions and exhortations don't apply to her. And we love her to bits. Like most of you, we have been in full lock-down since Boxing Day, and it's fair to say that the sheep have been a great source of comfort over that time. In terms of woolly news, we have a few bags of fleece just ready to go off to the spinning mill, and we'll be looking to get more of the pale/mid grey (currently Haar DK in our shop) as it works so well as both a natural and a hand-dyed shade. It will be a few months before we see the end-result but hopefully in time for Virtual Woolfest in June. I've been taking a bit of time out of the business side of things (apart from posting out orders), due to illness, but hoping to be raring to go again soon, and getting ready to see everyone (even if only virtually for now) at woolly events this year. Need to get some nice woolly items knitted up in both the Ree and the Moorit DK, so always on the lookout for ideas and inspiration! Best wishes to you all. |