Full Steam Ahead!

Well I have been really busy since I last blogged - we have been full steam ahead here!

First of all a quick update on all matters sheepy - rams are again with their ladies and they certainly seem to be smiling a lot!  We are later tupping this year because of the worry of Schmallenberg virus - those in the know recommend that we put our rams in later to avoid the peak midge time as the ewes are especially susceptible in the early stages of their pregnancy.  It may mean therefore that our lambs will be smaller come showing time but I would rather the lambs arrived safely!  So lambing this year will be March rather than our usual end January.....

My 2 young Golden Guernsey girls are also in with my new billy Velvety Brown - much to their disgust! However I think things are a-happening! Watch this space .....

I have also taken on the role of Membership and Registration Secretary for the Wensleydale Longwool Sheepbreeders' Association.  Am really excited to take on this new role and look forward to making a real contribution to the future of one of the oldest sheep societies.  Seem to have my work cut out though!

Finally an update on my work with Emily-Rose Debenham.  We have chosen our colours ......

Emily-Rose has produced some samples which I have to say are just gorgeous!  Lovely cosy chunky handknits for those long winter walks .....

All that is left now is to produce some patterns, dye enough yarn, look at the possibility of producing some knitting kits, take some lovely photos and then get knitting ........ doesn't sound much if you say it quickly!

Watch this space for the photo shoot ......

A new adventure ......

I thought I would just share with you the dawning of a new adventure.......

Over the last year I have been supplying a lovely young designer with hand dyed wool for her degree work.  Well she has now graduated from Norwich University College Of The Arts with a 1st class honours classification in Textiles, and has agreed to help me create some designs and garments especially for Gedgrave Wensleydale Wool.  Her name is Emily-Rose Debenham - here is some of her work http://emily-rose-debenham.blogspot.co.uk/

This will be a new journey for us both, as she is currently establishing herself as a freelance designer in Suffolk and I am wanting to take my wool forward - exciting times!

We are concentrating on my lovely handspun chunky yarn, handspun especially for me from my own fleece, by another true artist from the Western Isles, my friend Sheila Roderick - check out her Scalpay Linen blog http://scalpaylinen.blogspot.co.uk/

We have chosen some gorgeous colours Wild Raspberry, Dusk, Azalea and Kingfisher, plus the natural cream and black of course!

The first design is underway - you will be able to purchase the finished garment plus buy it also in kit form for you to knit yourself!  Kits will come complete with needles, yarn and any other accessories required for the finished look.

Watch this space for a sneak preview shortly ..............

T x

Showing now underway!

I am so sorry that I have been so bad at blogging this year! No excuse really only the usual one - where do the days go to?? Is it me?

Anyway, enough of that! We are freshly home from the Suffolk Show wielding our rosettes and what a great show we had!  I am so proud of my flock!

Bea my beautiful shearling ewe won Champion Wensleydale Ewe and Reserve Champion Wensleydale overall!

Makes all the hard work worthwhile!

 

I also won 2nd place for both my white Wensleydale ram in the Wensley class and my black Wensleydale ram entered in the Longwool class (we are not allowed to enter a black Wensleydale in the Wensleydale classes - daft isn't it!)

2nd also for the group of three - my white Wensley ram and two white Wensley ewes.  Another 1st for my black ewe lamb and a couple of fifths!  Not bad eh?

Here is the evidence!

I am so grateful for all the support that I get - my boss always comes over to see me before I start to say good luck!

Finally I just had to include this picture of Geraldine my little ewe lamb.  This was snapped by the Heart Radio photographer and put on their facebook site - she had 57 likes!

Off to the Norfolk next - 27th & 28th June!

Lambing now underway ........

Well at least it hasn't been another 6 months since the last blog but admittedly I am getting a bit behind with all this!  Where does the time go to?  My New Year's resolution was that I would try and do my blog more often - well it is early days but haven't really got off to the best start have I?  Still I am persevering!

The weather has now been seasonal at last but can't profess to enjoying it at all! Makes life such hard work when you have to haul water in watering cans to fill drinkers.  The girls are all fine they are all now at home and lambing is underway!

So back in the middle of January we had to undertake essential repairs to the roof of the lambing shed.  This was carried out by our good friend Phil - cold windy day but we were up for it and cracked on - job done!

   

Then on the third weekend in January all the girls were brought home to their lambing quarters.  It is very easy to have them so close to the house and much better at 3am when you are trying to check whether they have decided to have their babies!

Jacine was the first off with two lovely ram lambs - both absolutely perfect - adored by her of course as only she can! She had twin girls last year so I was fully expected twin boys this time - and I wasn't disappointed!  Sorry about the bad photo but taken at 10pm under a spotlight - not good for photography - will have to update with a better one soon!

 

Next up was Rosie - who took a week over her due date to think about it - but she will NOT be rushed - but it was worth waiting for! A beautiful black ewe lamb - very cute! Named Rona.

So that is it so far!  One now overdue - so we wait!

In the meantime the snow has all but gone but here are a few pictures taken on my morning walk about a week ago now.

Stan thought it was the best of fun!

That's all for now - not to self....  must be better at blog! x