Woolly Jumpers

Today we went to Linlithgow again, this time with Colin's cousin and this time we walked all the way round the loch as the air was much warmer. My extra is the beautiful swan who would have been my main blip. She was doing a wonderful job removing all her stray feathers all the while balancing on one leg!

My blip collage is at Bonnytoun Farm on the road out of Linlithgow, they have an organic farm shop there and I've meant to stop for a while.
We met the owner as we arrived and while chatting she said she was worn out as she'd just finished sweeping out their yard and spreading our 100 newly shorn fleeces to dry! Now that was a blip waiting to be taken so my pictures are with her consent. She has 100 Shetland sheep and the fleeces are shorn, cleaned, spun and used to create garments on the farm. She took us round the fleeces spread out in the sun when I asked and showed us the different types, they were all sorted by colour and breed.
She knew, in many cases, which fleece had come from which sheep! They'd been in the process of bringing the sheep in, thankfully dry, when there was a sudden downpour everything was ready, so they had to go ahead which meant the sheep were all wet when shorn.
The fleeces were now lying spread out and almost dry in the warmth of the sun. It was fascinating listening to somebody so enthusiastic about what she was doing. I've never actually seen fleece straight from the sheep before. The difference between the outer wool which had been exposed to the mud and rain, and the under wool from against the sheep was remarkable and the wool was so soft!
I was taken again by just how much wool came from each sheep and by how soft it was.

Today is the last Friday of the month, so here is the National Galleries Art Quiz link if you would like to try it. 8 out of 10 for me today.

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