Menoturals; Sheep 101

For Nature Friday with the LLB gang this week, allow me to introduce you to the Kerry Hill sheep. Is it not a bonny breed?

It seems I only took one photograph of this handsome set, which is a shame, but you can see more of these beauties at the website link above.

This is a Welsh-origin hill breed, named after the town in Powys from which it originates. Although it may have been present as a breed for longer, it was first mentioned in records in 1809. It is a dual-purpose breed, i.e. used for both meat and wool. Although these have been considered a rare breed over the past fifty years or so, they are once again becoming popular due to their excellent mothering skills and their gentler nature compared to some hill breeds. Unlike other hill breeds, their wool is mostly free of kemp (rough, stiff, coarse fibre). The staple is usually between three and four inches, with a mild crimp, but at heavier diameters, it tends to be classed as medium/medium-course. This belies its soft feel. As a single-breed yarn, it is most often used for outerwear and blankets. This sheep is quite often crossbred, though, usually with blue Leicester, and the resulting wool is very fine indeed, suitable for skin-touching items.

Let's complete the post with a pretty peony for Rosy.