It feels like shearing is the real start to my shepherd's year. I brought the sheep into the barn last night to keep them nice and dry for shearing this morning. Twenty-one to be sheared this year - a few hours work for Kevin Ford, Master blade shearer.
The sheep all settled in for the night and it was quiet in the barn except for the sound of them quietly chewing their cud and the rustling of hay - magic. I watched them, loving how the Leicester's locks shine in the light from the overhead barn fixtures.
Kevin arrived a little after 10:30am and we were all ready for him: sheep, family & friends to help, shearing platform, and some hot water (to melt the lanolin from his blades). Except for us quietly talking, and the occasional baa, it's so quiet with Kevin using the "old time" blades - no electric motor buzzing. The fleeces peeled off as Kevin turned the sheep with his expert hands. And by mid-afternoon there was my lovely harvest of wool.
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