Anke, I've no intention in getting into a Texel ewe manipulating competition with a group of young lads! Hence why I asked Philip to come and give me some tuition in using the blades on my little 'geeps'.
We ended up with one I did under Philip's guidance, one Philip did on his own, one BH did and one I did on my own after Philip had gone.
When you ask BH & his mates how they think the shearing went, they look at the sheep. When you ask me and my mates, we look at the fleeces. (Dan, we need that spinning wheel emotiwotsit!)