Sheep Porn

[wharfeego]

Could also be a caption competition..........

"Another photo of Darren Fishwick" (meant as a complement btw)

"Pre-race kit inspection"

He could do with the 'cold spoon' treatment

[Derby Tup]

There are two James Rebanks books and they're both excellent

[MarkClayton]

There are two James Rebanks books and they're both excellent

Thanks DT, didn't realise that. Going to check that out and order.

[wharfeego]

You Cannot Beat a Good Sheep Shack


You Cannot Beat a Good Sheep Shack by Andy Holden, on Flickr

[Ed D]

We've got both Herdwicks and Belted Galloways on the farm; very hardy and not too much trouble at all. I've seen this documentary http://www.addictedtosheep.com at least half a dozen times now, a great insight into sheep farming and although he's mainly a Swaledale breeder there is the odd 'spot the herdy' moment.

If you fancy some Herdwick or Belty on your plate here's a totally shameless plug for our new meat box business!

http://www.bespokebynature.com/wbn/

[Derby Tup]

Good luck Ed. Nice thread

[MarkClayton]

We've got both Herdwicks and Belted Galloways on the farm; very hardy and not too much trouble at all. I've seen this documentary http://www.addictedtosheep.com at least half a dozen times now, a great insight into sheep farming and although he's mainly a Swaledale breeder there is the odd 'spot the herdy' moment.

If you fancy some Herdwick or Belty on your plate here's a totally shameless plug for our new meat box business!

http://www.bespokebynature.com/wbn/

The documentary sounds great – have just ordered the DVD. And have book marked your link for produce. Much appreciated.

[helix]

Any other/better/different suggestions…….other than actually buying a Herdwick, which OMG she would actually wet her pants……. but my garden is unfortunately not suitable for a sheep, and/or wet pants.

When I lived in West Cumbria there was a gift shop in Egremont that use to sell Herdwick wool, items made from Herdwick wool and kits for you to make your own stuff from it (it wasn't knitting or cross stitch but I can't remember the method but they came with instructions). The shop was called Lowes Court Gallery it was on Main Street; I presume these items will be available on their online shop if they have one or from other Cumbrian stockists. I think the National Trust at the time was trying to push Herdwick products to increase the value of the sheep. I left in 2008 so this stuff may not be as available as it was then.

[MarkClayton]

When I lived in West Cumbria there was a gift shop in Egremont that use to sell Herdwick wool, items made from Herdwick wool and kits for you to make your own stuff from it (it wasn't knitting or cross stitch but I can't remember the method but they came with instructions). The shop was called Lowes Court Gallery it was on Main Street; I presume these items will be available on their online shop if they have one or from other Cumbrian stockists. I think the National Trust at the time was trying to push Herdwick products to increase the value of the sheep. I left in 2008 so this stuff may not be as available as it was then.

Many thanks. Nice idea. They do have a website, but not an on-line shop as such, so can’t tell if they still do that type of product (suppose could email them). Unfortunately, given its location, I’m very unlikely to get a chance to pass near Egremont in the future. I’ve done a general search on the web for something similar, but haven’t found anything.

On a slightly different subject, played my part today helping out a sheep (although it wasn’t quite as epic/impressive as Ricky Lightfoot’s lamb rescue). Was out doing one of my normal run routes and passed through a field that contains Texel sheep (they look quite different to your average sheep….. large square heads and wide bodied), only to see a ewe in the distance on its back, legs straight up in the air. Rest of the flock were way down the other end of the field. My immediate thought was, “it’s dead, that’s a shame”. Anyway, took a deviation from my normal route to go and have a look at it. As I got close saw the legs twitching very slightly. Was really worried if I was about to witness the final painful moments of this animal’s life. To my surprise, I quickly realised it was simply stuck on its back, like a tortoise. The sheep calmly lay there looking up at me…… who knows how long it had been in that state. It seemed to be stuck due to the nature of the slightly tussocky grass and its really wide flat back. With the pressure of almost one finger I was able to push the sheep past the tipping point, and then it quickly self-righted itself. It stood there, a few feet from me and just stared at me. I’d like to think her expression was saying “thanks buddy, I owe you one”. I walked away and shortly after she trotted back to join the others.

Does anyone know if this is a common problem for sheep. I’ve never seen or heard anything like this before?

[wheezing donkey]

Many thanks. Nice idea. They do have a website, but not an on-line shop as such, so can’t tell if they still do that type of product (suppose could email them). Unfortunately, given its location, I’m very unlikely to get a chance to pass near Egremont in the future. I’ve done a general search on the web for something similar, but haven’t found anything.

On a slightly different subject, played my part today helping out a sheep (although it wasn’t quite as epic/impressive as Ricky Lightfoot’s lamb rescue). Was out doing one of my normal run routes and passed through a field that contains Texel sheep (they look quite different to your average sheep….. large square heads and wide bodied), only to see a ewe in the distance on its back, legs straight up in the air. Rest of the flock were way down the other end of the field. My immediate thought was, “it’s dead, that’s a shame”. Anyway, took a deviation from my normal route to go and have a look at it. As I got close saw the legs twitching very slightly. Was really worried if I was about to witness the final painful moments of this animal’s life. To my surprise, I quickly realised it was simply stuck on its back, like a tortoise. The sheep calmly lay they looking up at me…… who knows how long it had been in that state. It seemed to be stuck due to the nature of the slightly tussocky grass and its really wide flat back. With the pressure of almost one finger I was able to push the sheep past the tipping point, and then it quickly self-righted itself. It stood there, a few feet from me and just stared at me. I’d like to think her expression was saying “thanks buddy, I owe you one”. I walked away and shortly after she trotted back to join the others.

Does anyone know if this is a common problem for sheep. I’ve never seen or heard anything like this before?

Mark, I'm not a farmer myself but I have many close friends who are. I've often helped out with lambing, shearing and dipping.
What you witnessed is far more common than what you might imagine.
In N country terminology, the sheep that you saw and assisted "had gotten itself rigged".
Well done and best wishes, Ian.