Saturday 10 October 2015

Lovely Boy.

"Isn't he wonderful?" says the farmer's niece, Anthea, as not only does she show her surplus ram lambs but gets the Reserve Championship with this chap.  He is a Blue-faced Leicester breed (yes, I know, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder).  She afterwards sold him for a tidy sum and he has gone off to pastures new, hopefully to sire some splendid Blue-faced Leicesters himself next year.

The farmer is very proud of his niece, who not only does contract farm work but also runs a splendid business from home - and is going from strength of strength.   She is a brilliant photographer and produces a range of cards, mugs, tea-towels, jig saws and the like (if you want to look at her site  her web address is www.AntheaKitching.co.uk) but her real love is the Blue Faced Leicester sheep like the one in the photograph.

I must say that I really admire 'enthusiasms' of any kind; she rarely has a spare minute but things go from strength to strength for her and we are delighted to see her prosper so.

The farmer has gone off for a walk today with The Wensleydale Society - doing the same walk as he recced last Saturday with C, the leader of today's walk.   As we breakfasted the fog came down thick and heavy and it turned icy cold.   But as I write the sun has broken through and the sky has cleared and it looks like being a lovely day.

I shall now get togged up and go out rubber-gloved to removed the 'end of summer' bedding and prepare the various tubs for putting the spring bulbs in.   That is such a satisfying job.

17 comments:

Cro Magnon said...

And he really does have a blue face!

Gerry Snape said...

oh you have reminded me that some bags of bulbs await me me in the greenhouse...thankyou Pat!

Gerry Snape said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Having just been up to check my Wiltshire Horns up on The Chalk, I can fully appreciate him!

The History Anorak said...

I think he's lovely - though perhaps a little thin.

Simon Douglas Thompson said...

I just saw the photo and went "My god! A blue sheep!". And it is!

I think he is very handsome as well!

Heather said...

Congratulations to Anthea. I think her prize ram is quite handsome and I'll enjoy browsing her website.
I have just replanted our summer tubs with vivid green mini conifers surrounded by violas. When weeding I usually manage to dig up loads of bulbs and must remember to replant them before it is too late.

Joanne Noragon said...

It looks a beautiful sheep. I enjoyed spinning Leicester, back in the day.

Frances said...

I agree with Anthea that the ram is a beauty. His blue face is so handsome...and he has perfect posture, too.

I used to help my Dad plant bulbs in the autumn, bulbs that I had arranged to be sent to him as a birthday gift. These daffs have naturalized over the years. I have a sweet memory.

xo

Mac n' Janet said...

He is a beauty! Went to her blog and I love her jigsaw puzzles, would she ship to the States?

jinxxxygirl said...

Its wonderful to have passions in your life. So many people seem to have no interests at all... You ask some people what they like to do and they have no answer at all... or maybe its just the people that surround me. So its wonderful that she is passionate and enthusiastic in life AND that she has found a way to profit from them.

The back half of our property is a hollow...and there was mist in the hollow this morning when i woke up... so pretty... Its a cool morning...50 F degrees... but should warm nicely 70'sF... the sun is peeking in the window warming my back as i type this... Jinx (the cat) has found a sun puddle... theres coffee in my cup and all is right with the world for this moment in time.... :) Hugs! deb

Terry and Linda said...

Playing in the dirt is always so satisfying!!!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Wilma said...

He really is lovely! That's the good and the bad of gardening - always something to do ...

angryparsnip said...

What a beautiful sheep with such a lovely face. I love the way he is cut and brushed.
I will pop over to her site I am so excited to see what she does.
My favorite nursery has their bulbs out now. Very exciting.
Daughter when to visit friends up north almost to Canada. She sent some lovely photos of a pink mist rising over the river her friend lives on. Fog never looked so beautiful.

cheers, parsnip

The Weaver of Grass said...

I have suggested to Anthea that she read all your comments, and also sent her an e mail to see if she ships to the U S. So watch this space. Thanks everyone for calling in.

Acornmoon said...

Thanks for the website link, I love her images- so beautiful!

Barbara said...

What a handsome ram! He's totally unlike what we generally see here in our Valley (mostly Suffolk and Dorset here). But, I do like his stance.
Anthea has a lovely website and Facebook page. Wonderful photos!