Now we look after 20 sheep, including twelve new lambs. It feels like a lot for a novice shepherd and the learning can be an emotional roller coaster. In 2017 we started with two 'pet sheep' a brother and sister, Jake and Jenny. Great, I thought, they will keep the grass down. Ignorance/innocence is bliss - we did discover we had to register our holding and keep accurate records.
Sadly Jake passed away and we were left with a very lonely Jenny. She was bereft and let us know by constantly calling for him day and night. We were lucky to get two companions for her, this time two little six-month-old, hand-reared lambs from a nearby sheep farmer. We christened them Matilda and Barbara.
Jenny is a Suffolk cross with black face and legs, she is very calm and knows what to do when I panic. She has a beautiful soft crimpy fleece that is a joy to spin. Matilda has a brown face and is very vocal. We call her our guard or alarm clock sheep. She is a mix of hardy breeds including Shetland and has a thick but fine fleece (usually with a bit of hedge attached). Barbara is adorably pretty and has something regal about her, I think. Perhaps there is some Blue Faced Leicester in her genes as I think they look aristocratic. Her fleece is fabulous with some crimp and lustre.
The following Spring Barbara had the first ever lambs born at Balgownie. These were triplets and she looked after all three. Everyone said how lucky we were. We called the first born Sparkles, but that's the start of another story.
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