A couple of weeks ago, we went down to Montpelier, VA for a yarn festival. The weather was lovely, and I was particularly looking forward to it because they were having sheep dog trials! I LOVE sheep dog trials. It is so inspiring to me to see the dogs in action, they are so smart, agile and (for the most part) completely keyed in to their owner (polar opposite of my relationship with Wrigley haha).
There were so many interesting tents and workshops. They even had workshops teaching very little kids how to knit, and an area for mom's who need to nurse!
Kinda Celtic was playing, and they had lovely music, much to Pat's delight.
As you will see, Pat gets his workout in whenever we go to these types of festivals!
There were many types of sheep and it was very interesting to see the animals that provide angora, wool, cashmere etc. They even had rabbits! Maybe we should look into raising wool rabbits!
The whole festival was very kid-friendly and, thankfully, not crowded. Sebastian lost no time experiencing it to the full.
Watching the sheep dog trials:
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| Kateri had the best seat in the house |
Here the dog, after sprinting far across the field, successfully brought these three sheep back towards us, through a gate, and around this post where his owner was directing him. This particular team was very successful and quick and made the whole operation look easy! Other dogs, not so much!
One of the most interesting parts was watching a sheep-shearing! This gentleman had many fascinating things to say, and I only heard about half of them because he was very soft spoken and his mic did not work.
He never sheared sheep a day in his life until the day after he married! He and his new bride headed to a farm for their honeymoon (she must really have loved sheep~ can you imagine?!). It was trial by fire, and he quickly learned how to shear sheep as they were working all waking hours!
Surprisingly, he loved it and dedicated his life to it!
Here he is with one of the sheep that he and his wife raise. These black faced sheep are the most common sheep in England. They provide good wool, but I think he said it was course.
This sheep was born this spring, can you believe how quickly they grow? This is her first time being shorn.
Since this was this sheep's first time being cut and their was a crowd, she was a little nervous. He explained that if you are gentle and firm and NEVER grab a sheep's horns or wool, they will be much more cooperative.
Apparently, this position is comfortable for sheep! What on earth!
He used big metal cutting shears, the same kind that Clarkson and his brothers would have used. He was very careful to cut close but not too close to the skin and to keep the coat in one piece. However, as you know, sheep produce lanolin and so if one is accidentally nicked, the cut will heal within a week.
Sebastian didn't have a good time at all.
And the shearing is complete! (His wife who inspired all of this is in the hat!)
Pat enthusiastically posing with some dirty sheep wool as Kateri cooperatively flops behind him and refuses to smile!
Later, we stopped at a little battlefield where Stonewall Jackson did something. (Pat would know!). I do remember reading a plaque that said this was the only place he drew his sword! And it was so rusted that it wouldn't even come out of the scabbard! So he rallied his troops and charged holding it up, scabbard, rust, sword, and all!
Later, that inspired me to cut Wrigley.
Maybe I should try to find a spinning wheel and spin this white stuff up!
Anyone interested in a dog-wool sweater? Sure to smell amazing in the rain!
