I am always amazed when we go out, how close the great outdoors is to us in Farnworth. Granted, it isn't wild and windy moorland, more the sort of heavily trampled semi-annoyed slightly rough-looking countryside, but it is still good to get out into it and away from the noise and smell of the town.
Just half an hour from us is a smallholding (in Ramsbottom, how apt) where they keep Shetland sheep. We went on Sunday to have a look at the flock with a view to keeping some in the future. Why? Because the fleece on these sheep is one of the finest of any native breed, they don't eat too much, they lamb easily, they're friendly and they can be bucket trained. They come in a variety of colours and softness, so it is possible to use the wool from around the head to make 2-ply, very soft yarn, or from around the 'breech' (making sure any dagnuts, dangle-berries and cling-ons are removed first) to make rougher jumpers or socks. 
This one, above, was my favourite colour, and the sheep are a good size to handle; not too heavy to turn over and not over-prone to disease. Obviously, like all animals, their welfare is paramount and a good, healthy, happy animal is less likely to drop down dead. So now all I have to do is find a field...For more information on the Shetland breed, have a look here:
Thanks to Tony, Kath and Natalie for your time and energy answering endless questions.
No comments:
Post a Comment