Earendel Farm

Earendel Fleeces place at the Royal Winter Fair

2010-11-05T12:56:00.000-04:00

For those of you who are unfamilar with the
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair; it has become the world’s largest indoor agricultural and international equestrian competition. and has been running since November 1922,
Quoting from their web site....

"The Royal draws more than 340,000 visitors to Toronto annually to see thousands of unique entries from elite Canadian and International breeders, growers and exhibitors, over 4,500 large and small animals, shows, activities, shopping, dining and – of course – The Royal Horse Show".

This is our first time entering our fleeces at a fair so why not start at the top.

There were dozens of entries from all over Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

We are so delighted to annouce that our home bred Earendel Kinwulf's fleece placed 3rd and his aunt
9 year old Cherrington Sarah placed 5th!

Their fleeces will be auctioned off Sunday Nov 14 at the fair!

Cherrington Sarah( Molly)

Earendal Kinwulf

Giant puff balls

2010-10-08T15:48:00.001-04:00

Every autumn they grow in the front sheep pasture!
If you harvest them before they turn brown they are rather tasty!

Sunset yesterday

2010-10-08T15:45:00.000-04:00

This was the view out the lane way towards the road and below was the effect the light was having across the trees looking towards the barn.

and then just a few minutes later....

Cherrington Brandy ( March 29,1997- Sept 1, 2010)

2010-09-01T16:08:00.000-04:00

Our grand old lady was euthansied today.
She had developed a lower jaw tumour
She will be sadly missed by all of us here
She is survived by her three daughters and one son, all of whom are here at the farm.

garden and humming bird

2010-07-26T13:06:00.000-04:00

The front garden space is coming along nicely. I wanted to capture at least the essence of a medieval monastic pleasance. The garden borders the front veranda affording a calm place to sit.

The fountain was a wonderful find at a local re-use store

This is a small garden room, one side ( above) sun and the other shade

I prefer to plan gardens in as small rooms ( more manageable that way).

One recent visitor has been a Ruby Throated Humming bird who delights in the bergomot ( Bee Balm)

As with all gardens this is a work in progress and there is still so much still to do... summers are just too short here!

Talking Turkey

2010-05-21T13:18:00.004-04:00

Isn't he handsome.... this is Lurch, positively the stupidest thing we have on the farm!

Meet Lurkey ( hiding behind her man!)
Except Lurkey doesn't think much of Lurch either and prefers the company of the chickens

Why is Lurch so dumb?

1. Can't figure out how to go through and open 10 foot wide gate, persists in bashing his head trying to get through the little gap between the post and the hinge.
2. Can't figure out how to get back through the 10 foot open gate.
3. Totally afraid of the Rooster who chases him away from Lurkey
4. Totally afraid of the sheep who chase him.
5. Tries to entice the wild Turkeys into the yard even though they keep beating him up.
6. Don't even ask about why he keeps trying to head bash the electric fence.

And this heritage breed is supposed to have more smarts that your regular white turkey... makes one really wonder.

Happy weekend!

Chaucer

2010-03-02T12:48:00.004-05:00

Just so everyone knows Chaucer has been diagnosed with Lymphona.

The prognosis is lousy but sometimes things can go into remission with steroids.... I will try

Its spring but not here!

2010-02-26T11:43:00.006-05:00

Two weeks ago I was in England for a lovely wedding. The weather was soft and foggy and by my standards brilliant. After four green starved months in the great white north the little snow drops were so beautiful to see.

And happy sheep out on pasture

I had a great time but now am a misery to live with I can't wait to see spring...!!!

You decide..... have we had enough of this!

and can we have some of this!

So not amused!

2010-01-19T14:30:00.004-05:00

This is not the picture of a happy baa
This is a picture of Foote and he has had enough of playing in the snow and wants in the barn NOW!
In the background is Gwinnie ( white) and Brandy (moorit) who is this year age 13 years. Foote is her 3 year old son, one of twins.

Esme was even giving me nasty looks.

Happy Christmas to everyone

2009-12-23T17:01:00.004-05:00

Hard to believe that another year has almost past here on the farm.

We moved here January 6,2005 but yet it seems like we have always lived here the farm has a pace and time of its own.

The Gibson family from Scotland built this house and farm coming here in 1853. The house was built later and is all dressed up this year to celebrate its 141st Christmas!

This year we even have a Christmas tree in the living room. The angel on top this tree was bought by my Grandparents in 1949. She is not the prettiest of angels but she sure has some history. I have photographs taken of this Christmas angel on top of trees from the 50's, and so until now this one. We truly are living with all the ghosts of Christmas's past here!

Both Al and I and of course all the wee beasties here at the farm would like to wish everyone Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Quailty time with the sheep

2009-12-22T09:29:00.003-05:00

This is Mr. Biddlebump our June lamb, and his mom Gwinnie. They both love hugs. Mr BB also is very happy to curl up on your lap and snooze as he is doing here. They are wonderful therapy after a stressful day!

Pachio's Fleece

2009-11-27T10:32:00.008-05:00

Here is a picture of Pachio's fleece,

Colour is actually white,

Check out the Curls, and crimp, he is also soft, and silky...

We will be breeding him to some of our Cherrington girls, and will post their names when we have decided which ones.

This will be the last time these ewes will be bred as they are getting on in years.

I can't think of a better combination of genetics and fleece quality than breeding them back into the Dailley line!

Stay Tuned!!!!

Presenting Dailley "Pachino"

2009-11-23T14:43:00.015-05:00

Earendel Shetlands and Kalwa Taure Shetlands, are pleased to introduce our new ram from the Dailley flock.

Pachino is just over a year old. He has the classic Shetland conformation and fleece quality so consistent with his heritage.

He will be a beautiful additional to our selective breeding program.

Heartfelt thanks to Carol Precious for all her advice in helping us select him"!

'When one door closes another has opened.'

Cherrington Merlin May 21-2001 to Nov.16-2009

2009-11-23T12:59:00.006-05:00

We count ourselves very fortunate to have been Merlin's caregivers for his last few months.

He was a grand gentleman who quickly learned that ours is a treat driven farm. Apples, cookies, warm mash twice a day , oh yes and a lovely girl to keep him company.

Merlin had a spinal cord injury that had left him partially disabled and though he was coping he was still living daily by grace.

A fortnight ago that all changed and Merlin was no longer able to get up at all. A decision was made to euthanize and despite knowing it was for the best I was still left in tears.

Merlin left us a lovely legacy. We are lucky to have 4 of his offspring and also his full sister Cherrington Sarah.

Never the less I still miss his deep bass Ba every time I open the treat box in the barn.

Bodiam Castle

2009-09-15T10:52:00.004-04:00

Bodiam Castle was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III, with the permission of Richard II in order to defend the surrounding area from French invasion.
Vanessa, Phillip, Vasanti and I spent a lovely time exploring what truthfully has been called one of England's most beautiful castles..... Of course this summers foray back to England had to include some sheep.
These are black welsh mountain sheep, very handsome and looking a wee bit like our Foote and Grainney.
More pictures when I get a chance.......

After the Rain

2009-06-30T10:59:00.002-04:00

There should be a rainbow... but if you look closely to the right of the first one is a second one ( almost hidden by the trees) here.

This is one of our back fields and part of the hay field as well. The hay is ready to be cut but the weather continues to be showery and well just plain English, while I hear from friends in England that the weather there is our normal hot and sultry June...
We need a week of dry warm weather to get the hay in so keep you fingers cross it will happen soon.

In the meantime, we are all adjusting to having Cherrington Merlin stay with us. He is a really good ram ( which is good since we have never had one here before) and has already picked up on when the treats are handed out. He is managing well and I am monitoring his condition carefully.

At long last!!!! The Cookie Monster!

2009-06-22T12:17:00.006-04:00

After a really tough delivery and the sad loss of his twin sister.....

Welcome to the world, Mr.Biddlebump born Friday June 19 at 7:00pm

Biddlebump is the son of Cherrington Harry and Hopeful Gwendolyn.

He is precocious and already wandering off leaving poor Gwen. frantically looking for him.

He jumps into her hay, steals grass straight from her mouth and is into everything.

Poor MOM!

ANY DAY NOW !!!

2009-06-02T16:17:00.003-04:00

Our little Gwinnie should be due this week. She has become totally obsessed with food and can't get enough, we think she is hatching a "Cookie Monster"!!!!!

Everything is ready and waiting and waiting and waiting.........

Spring

2009-05-27T10:39:00.008-04:00

Welcome to the farm in Spring

This is my favorite time of the year, everything is green and smells so wonderful, its a good time of the year to be born and for that we are waiting on our Gwinnie.

Gwinnie is currently eating like a barracuda.....everything in sight. Two other of our girls may also be pregnant or then again just fat, we will have to see.

Some of our whethers even look a wee bit in the family way... umm Jolly, with a bit of winter insulation?

Here are just some of our girls spa-ing in the sun.... are we happy?!

Everyone loves to go out and cut loose especially after the rough winter we have had....

well maybe not everyone!

'Driving Miss Lady'

2009-04-08T15:52:00.009-04:00

I think that my dear husband has found his equine niche in life and may never 'ride ' a horse again.
Thanks to some friends of ours who are members of the Percheron Horse Society, we were able to finally hitch and drive our Lady last Saturday. Lady hasn't been driven for the two years we have had her and who knows when before that, although I have been riding her.

She was extremely patient with us and our total inexperience in all this

Al started by ground driving her first, then the wagon was dragged out ( by us) to the field and she was hitched. We only drove her for about 15 minutes since she is rather out of condition.

I think even Lady had fun.

seven things you may not now about me

2009-03-16T14:28:00.003-04:00

A while ago I was asked by a dear friend to list seven things that most people would not know about me. It took a while to get on with it but here is the list:

1: I am a classically trained mezzo soprano with a long performance history mostly solo baroque aria work.
2: I love Gregorian chant and the mediaeval catholic church liturgy , you know bells, incense the whole works
3: Life gaol is to finish visiting the high spots along the pilgrims route across Europe, so far I have done Canterbury, Rome and twice to Jerusalem
4: I ride side saddle, its the equitation style I learned on.
5: PURPLE, love it especially purple silk velvet
6 I have made virtually all my major adult "life decisions" here at this place.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Orme
7: one of my favorite authors is Khalil Gibran
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalil_Gibran

There hows that!

costume design

2009-02-20T13:14:00.009-05:00

As many of you may know I have an deep interest in historical costuming. I have participated in a number of living history events ranging along the time line from Anglo-Saxon to English Civil war and 19th military, not to forget the SCA.

I thought it was be fun to share some of my favorite costumes here.

For years I have studied the fashions of the Court of Henry VIII. I have taught workshops, seminars, proofed patterns for companies and been the featured attire on this site along with some of my students at the time.

http://www.festiveattyre.com/feature/yr4/week150.html

One of my other favorite periods inspired by that wonderful film Henry V with Kenneth Branagh is the 15th century. This is a picture of Al and I taken at a local production of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. This is 15th century Burgundian style and we were the dancers at the wedding in the show. Both outfits are velvet and Al's boots are copies of 15th century riding boots and were made by a friend of ours who is a professional shoemaker.

Completely jumping era's brings us to the 1860's and a ball gown, using 27 yards of paper thin silk.

Of course all the costumes pictured here are complete down to the corsets and underpinning where required and yes I ride in a corset when in kit
Thats just a wee peek into my costume closet, maybe more later when I get some more pictures!

Something different

2009-02-10T14:12:00.005-05:00

This past Christmas Al and I bought a loom. It is a 4 harness jack loom which while not exactly a style current in the middle ages none the less will reproduce the textiles commonly found in the period.

My good friend Nina has been patiently giving us both lessons and to date we have made three scarves.

The future plan is to start to weave projects using wool from our own sheep and homegrown dyes.

I had been learning the weave on a rigid heddle loom, perhaps a slightly more period contraption and certainly far more portable, so the jack loom seemed the next step up for us. This picture was taken last summer at our first Regia event at the long hall.

Cherrington Esther

2009-01-06T13:44:00.009-05:00

Cherrington Esther and her family.

This is Esther ( Reg#.S8786) Though registered as a black she is presently all of the soft greys you get on tarnished silver, though she still has a black ruff.

Esther came to Earendel last September. At 9 years old she is another one of our seniors enjoying our full service retirement package

( home grown hay,special dinners, hugs, and of course treats) .

Although Esther is somewhat skittish she is making progress and is taking treats now from our hands.

This is Esther's daughter Kalwa Taure Esme (Reg# S15398) and her twin boys Cindread and Cinwulf whom are both weathers they were sired by Cherrington Merlin June 2007

The boys don't look at all like that anymore, here are the boys now:

They are both silver greys and have lovely crimp and whew, all those spots have gone!

Esme's boys have an awesome temperament and run to us when they see us for hugs and scratches. My husband Al confesses that Cindread and Rose are his favorites while I just love our little Grainney who will curl up with me when I sit in their pen.

More girls this time Cherrington Alice's kin

2009-01-06T12:54:00.008-05:00

This was Cherrington Alice ( 1997-2008), a classy grand dam, well beloved and now sadly missed by our good friend Tammy of Kalwa Taure shetlands.

Alice's legacy here is very strong as she is the mother and grandmother of three of our most personable girls and a major influence for our white fleece line

This is our Kalwa Taure Minnie ( Reg#S16839) Alice's most mischievous daughter.

Minnie has it all great personality, a sense of humor, awesome fleece and a lovely daughter our Earendel Rose ( S # 26107) out of Cherrington Merlin

Rose is a treasure, friendly, hugable and true to her heritage with a good strong crimpy fleece.

The last one of Alice's family to reside here is her daughter Cherrington Jessie (S#10028).Jessie is a cream with beautiful crimp and handle to her fleece. I will have a picture of her up soon

Currently Minnie and Jessie are visiting Cherrington Merlin (Rose's dad) for a romantic winter break.

Introducing some of our girls starting with Brandy

2009-01-06T11:01:00.007-05:00

This is one our grand old lady Cherrington Brandy ( Reg#S6030) she will be 12 years old this March and shows no signs of slowing down. She is a beautiful dark moorit with a fine fleece very suitable for drop spindle work.

This is one of Brandy's Morrit baby's (Reg# S16844). Kalwa Taure Elly.
Like her mom she has a fine fleece though is a lighter Morrit

This is Brandy's last baby Earendel Grainney ( S26108), as black as the darkest night.
Grainney has no white hairs through her fleece and has inherited her moms softness and good crimp. Her first adult fleece is long and luxurious and holding great promise.
She is a little camera shy so we must try again for a more current picture. Grainney is a darling and would rather be hugged that eat. We also have Grainney's identical twin brother Foote.

2008-12-23T11:18:00.002-05:00

This is the view from the back door during yet another winter storm. Its all there howling winds, near waist high snow drifts and really disgruntled looking horses and sheep.
The only one happy about the weather is Milton who just loves the snow and cold.
All the animals are safe a warm in the barn. My husband plowed a path for the sheep so I can let them out for a little fresh air break ( NOT something they appreciate, believe me)
So far we have had almost continual snow since Nov.15!

On another note we will be taking some of our girls up to our friend and mentor Tammy's farm over the Christmas break to vacation with two of her boys, Cherrington Merlin and Cherrington Harry. We are taking Cherrington Jessie and Hopeful Gwinnie for sure maybe Esme (also Cherrington lines and mother of the beautiful boys out of Merlin who will be two on June)
All this in keeping with our hopes to continue to create a second generation of Skerryvore/Cherrington babies to carry on these lines for us.
Keep your fingers and toes crossed for a nice white ram lamb, hopefully out of Jessie!!!

2008-10-31T14:05:00.003-04:00

Happy Halloween

It is a beautiful warm day here about 19C not at all like the Halloweens of my childhood where we would get snow, cold or rain. We don't get any "trick or treators" here at the farm. So plans tonight are to have a 'campfire supper' and bonfire to enjoy the unseasonably balmy evening.

Sheep and all are fine not doubt enjoying the lull in the weather.

So to all have a safe and happy time,enjoy all the candy especially the chocolate!

Frost on the air

2008-10-07T10:50:00.007-04:00

Burrr, last night it was 3c here and there is indeed frost on the ground. The seasons are changing faster than anyone really wants or is ready for.

Our little Shetland flock has topped out at 16 baaas. We have lovely solid colours and happy healthy sheep ( OK well they are a bit tubby)

The flock is almost all Cherrington/Skerryvore (either both parents or one)

Comments from the hand spinners have been very favorable and that is what counts for us.

It is really important to us to preserve the genetics of these lines but not at the expense of the quality. Years ago when I bred and showed champion Afghan Hounds we would only breed a litter if there was interest from qualified individuals. We are likely to adopt the same philosophy where it comes to breeding our sheep. So our flock will stay small and well loved.

Besides I couldn't bare to see one of our sheep come back to us in compromised health condition it would break my heart.

Oh and for those asking Our Minnie is just fine and recovering well from her bloat. Her rumen completely shut down for three days and we feared to lose her. At work here we have a fistulated cow who donated some rumen juice for us. Minnie and I were drenched in the stuff ( really stinks) and the next morning she was her ole self. We are really happy and also pleased that she isn't moooing!

This is our Minnie on her "southern"vacation at Tammy's. It was January and Brittany was a bit chilly but it was great fun! Just can't loose a baa like that!

AngloSaxon Event

2008-09-22T14:29:00.005-04:00

As some of you know my Al and I are members of Regia Anglorum an
Anglo-Saxon/Norman/Viking re-enactment group. http://www.regia.org/
For the past couple of years the local group and us have been constructing a circa 1000 AD long hall at the back of our farm. Eventually it will include a weaving shed, forge, bake oven, and the other accouterments of a farming settlement.
We recently had our first event and it was a great weekend even weather wise. The lads took to the "battlefield" ( have you ever seen such a Merry group of foes?) while the rest of us chatted, did sewing,weaving and archery.

Al and Cindread set up a small forge

while our evening feast was expertly roasted

all in all a great start for Wynmerstow!

What I did on my summer vacation!

2008-09-15T13:39:00.005-04:00

So this August I travelled over to England to meet up with a very dear friend of mine (Vanessa), see my great aunt (Irene)and make a whole cast of new friends ( the Thursday night pub crew)

Vanessa and I meet in England 10 years ago, and from a chance meeting a lively friendship has grown. This August we got together and along with some other friends of Vanessa's and her mom we had a great deal of fun travelling the back roads of England getting lost and creating the English version of the "Travelling Pandemonium Show" wonderful fun!

For a surprise journey to Europe Vanessa booked four of us into a beautiful spa/hotel on an island in Budapest a total surprise to me until the airport check in. Budapest is the last place I ever would have guessed we were bound and what a delight it was. This is me overlooking the Danube River and the Parliament buildings.

Back home my lovely husband Al handled the farm, for the 2 weeks I was gone. When I got home the cats were determined that I wasn't going anywhere else for a while by taking over the suitcase
While in England, Vanessa made sure I got to see West Stow Anglosaxon village and the site of the 1066 battle of Hastings all in good prep for the first Wymerestow event held the weekend after my return. More on that event in the next post.

Hays in

2008-07-17T15:15:00.006-04:00

This year it has rained and then rained some more but finally we have our hay in the barn all 1368 square bales of it and yes we are tired.

Our barn is huge and was built around 1870. Before we bought the place the barn was used to dump garbage in, the roof leaked and the colony of raccoons were happy. Now with a new roof and the critters looking elsewhere for accommodations the barn is starting to "smile" again.

The spring and early summer have been tough on us here. A very close friend unexpectedly died and we also had to euthanize one of our first sheep, Coco who became very ill. Working at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital has its advantages as our animals get the best possible care but still it wasn't enough for him. Coco was our beautiful musket. I have kept his fleece, will have it spun and my mother will knit it up for me.

Speaking of trips to work with the animals, here is Elvis. He is our Silkie rooster who managed to get a sinus infection. Here he is soaking his feet in a warm water bath to clean off. The vet student looking after him became very attached to him. And Elvis is fully recovered and back home with his girls

I supose I am a little daft to take a rooster to the vet.... well maybe!

Introducing Chaucer

2008-04-08T15:15:00.002-04:00

This is my Chaucer undeniably the best cat , and everyone who has ever had the pleasure of his company would agree.
Chaucer is about 7 years old and a former pound cat on death row ( why I'll never understand)
He is my shadow everywhere I go. He is also a number one cuddle sleeze
( so named by my good friend Tammy)
This is one of his favorite positions!
P.S. one of my favorite authors is by the way Geoffrey Chaucer (1342 - 1400)

Time passes

2008-02-15T15:51:00.004-05:00

Can't believe how fast the time since last posting has passed though winter itself seems to drag on and on. The sheep are less that impresed with the amount of snow we have. Last night my Al went out with the snowthrower and gave them a path and play area. The only one who seems really happy about the snow is of course Milton. We have had 70cm so far this month rther than the usual 20cm, enough is enough.

My Ceili (See picture) is however starting to shed her winter coat, I have seen the return of some blackbirds ( silly gaffers) and if you look close enough you can see the start of buds.

Ceili is my side saddle horse. She is a Missouri Foxtrotter and a very independent sprit who I think would give Parelli grief .
I have been riding side saddle since 1991 and was trained by a recognised side saddle teacher and judge. This is still the only equitation style that I have ever taken lessons in and still the only style I truly feel comfortable with. The habit I made is an authentic reproduction from an 1860's pattern. I am also wearing a period style corset and riding boots. We have ridden at many of Ontario's pionneer villages.

Looking at the picture makes me remember how much I miss the colour green!!!

Happy Holiday Greetings

2007-12-21T14:11:00.000-05:00

Happy Holiday Greetings to everyone from all of us here at Earendel farm!
We have plans to spend Christmas Eve by ourselves at home on the farm with a lovely dinner and if the weather holds perhaps a bonfire out back with mulled wine to warm our hands
Christmas day will be with Al's family.
This year I have decorated the house very simply with fresh cut boughs of cedar and pine from the surrounding woods it smells lovely inside, no fairy lights just small electric candles in the windows, it seems to suit the house better.
So to all of you, enjoy the season, drink and eat responsibility, save some chocolates for the new year, forget the resolutions and just enjoy every day on its own merits, remember if you are reading this you are still on the sunny side of the grass and that in itself is reason to be joyful!
Cate and Al

Remember it really IS still Autumn

2007-12-03T14:10:00.000-05:00

The past three days have been rain and freezing rain and ice pellets and snow. I cannot help but think of Barbara Gibson who in 1843 left Blantyre Scotland to immigrate to the land where our farm is now. Her and her husband, James ,were not young being both in their late fifties. Poor Barbara really must have wondered what "H" on earth she had come to as she must have sat in her cabin and froze!

The lambs danced in the snow at first but then even that wasn't much fun after a few minutes.

In an answer to a comment about our lambs colours; the black twins have staid black as velvet even to their dark eyes, and Esme's boys are both lovely shades of gray. Then of course there is Rose, spitting image of her mom in every way.

Now this goofy character is Milton he is our livestock guardian. He is about 140 pounds and the size of a small pony ( no really) That's a cow femur in his mouth. Milton is truly about the only one on the farm that loves this weather and delights in rubbing his face in the snow like a kid. He can't understand why the sheep don't share his joy.

Got to love the Snow

2007-11-28T16:06:00.000-05:00

So here we are in the great white north and its towards the end of Nov. We have about 6-8 inches on the ground. Enough for my Al to gleefully plow out with his new snow thrower not once but twice!.

(Left is view across the road side field)

The Lambs had their first snow experiance and true to form Foote thought it might be something worth eating.

All work has stopped for the season on the Long Hall but we have the longest wall up and it is looking really sharp.

Al and I are still mulling over what colours to paint the house next spring ( good thing we started to think about the project now, it may take all winter to decide) so far shades of green are in the running , just as a side note last week it was shades of gray so check in for next weeks colour choice!

Where did the summer go?

2007-11-08T13:21:00.000-05:00

Ok, so its been a while a long while since my last entry. But time really flies here on the farm and then suddenly its not summer anymore and the snow has started to fall.

The critters and us are all fine, though we sadly lost our beautiful rooster Harry to a hawk a few weeks back. A chicken coop is now in the planning stage. Harry's son Bera now rules the roost ( pardon the pun)

The Anglo-Saxon long house has a floor and roof and is looking great we held our first meeting there last month.

Lady, our percheron now has a small cart and harness that we are getting fixed up for her t0 tug around the farm so that will be fun.

We are starting to batten things down now for winter, the wood pile is stacked and all the summer stuff is packed away and oh yes the pool is finally closed!

Earendel Foote and Grainney

2007-07-26T12:36:00.000-04:00

Earendel GrainneyEarendel Foote

Since Cinwulf is still being camera shy I'll go ahead a introduce our last two babies, a ewe and ram. They are Cherrington Brandy's pride and sired by Woolly Pedro. Both are beautiful black lambs with only white marking on their heads (Thank heavens or we would have trouble telling one from the other!) We were hoping to have black lambs and were not disappointed. From a mediaeval point of view black was a hard colour to achieve with natural dyes and an equally tough colour to maintain without fading ( still is actually) Although a natural black wool will still end up really looking very dark brown after processing the wool was more likely to maintain its dark rich colour over a dyed product. In addition to this over dyeing the black wool with other dyes could produce some very exotic colours. We are looking forward to seeing how this all works out.

Initially the twins were very nervous and took some time and effort to come around, but lately they are both the most lovable babies we have. Each evening they curl up beside me and nap.

Foote and Grainney are named after two good friends of ours who are also members of the Regia group building the Anglo-Saxon long hall here at the farm. I know I did promise to tell you more about this project and it will be forthcoming..... later.

Next up the lambs mothers, Aunt Gwinnie and our two wethers Coco and Jolly, oh and camera shy Cinwulf.

Earendel Cindread

2007-07-24T14:01:00.001-04:00

Here is our lovely spotty boy out of Kalwa Taure Esme and Cherrington Merlin. His twin brother Cinwulf is a lovely gray maybe gulmoget. Here they are with mom at only a few days old.

The boys have a great pedigree and are line bred through Cherrington. We have been really pleased with the overall quality of the fleeces from sheep with this background and plan to try maintain this line as much as possible accepting that many of these sheep are getting on in years and may need special care and love. Wait till you meet our Brandy and her babies!!!

Cindread was a surprise. We hadn't really thought that we would get a spotted lamb and now we are not quite sure what to do with him. We have bantered back and forth about breeding him but for our purposes spots are more a novelty so really we can't justify using him. He will likely be castrated in the fall.

Cindread is a sweetie who loves to play with his ball and have tummy rubs. I have to get a good picture of Cinwulf but lately he has been a wee bit shy, so stay tuned

Earendel Rose

2007-07-11T21:49:00.000-04:00

First there was Rose daughter of Cherrrington Merlin and the totally unique

Kalwa Taure Minnie ( who is a story all to herself)

Earendel Rose was born the morning of June 5. She was our first lamb and if the phrase call a friend ever meant anything it was the phone call to Tammy with our wee bit of excitement.

Our Rose is now a month old and a growing concern. She is into everything, just like her mom!

Rose is a beautiful solid white lamb with silky soft wavy fleece.

Welcome to our farm

2007-07-09T12:50:00.001-04:00

Welcome to our farm.

We have a small flock of Shetland sheep of mostly

Cherrington/ Skerryore/Kalwa Taure background.

Our sheep are our pets and are kept entirely for their beautiful fleece which is sold mainly to folks who spin with drop spindles and weave on reproduction mediaeval looms.

We also have a very rare breed of chicken known rather unfortunately as a Dorking and some lovely well pampered horses all watched over by Milton our livestock guardian.

The farm is also home to the Wynmerestow Long Hall project.

This is the building of a Anglo-Saxon Long hall as it might have looked circa 1000 A.D. This is being constructed by members of the Ontario Branch of the U.K. based Regia Anglorum, an Anglo-Saxon Living History organization. Once completed the hall, forge, bake oven, gardens and animal enclosures will provide a place for the group to experiment with the archeaology of the period. More on this later for sure!

Next post we will introduce our first lambs!