The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: janeislay on October 17, 2010, 11:26:02 am
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Hi, I'm new here. I farm on the coast of Islay (off the west coast of Scotland) and breed Highland Ponies (24 of them).
I also breed Icelandic and Hebridean sheep (and cross them to make Heblandics) and have just bought two British Lops, a Tamworth and a Large Black - which I know zilch about. Also keep a couple of turkeys and about 50 hens.
We butcher our own meat, including Red Deer and I don't eat processed foods (except coffee or when I'm away from home:D).
Look forward to gleaning loads of info from you.
Jane
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Hello and welcome Jane from the south of Scotland :wave: I breed Hebrideans too - the multihorned variety as you can see from my avatar. I would love to see some pics of your Heblandics. What are the fleeces like? Do you spin or use the wool in any way?
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Hi and welcome. I breed GOS in Brittany.
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Hello from Fife :wave:
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Hello and welcome from Carnoustie :wave:
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Helloooo from west Aberdeenshire :-)))
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Hi and welcome from the Borders :wave:
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Hello from Sunny Ayrshire !!
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Hi and welcome from Suffolk. :wave:
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Hello and welcome Jane from the south of Scotland :wave: I breed Hebrideans too - the multihorned variety as you can see from my avatar. I would love to see some pics of your Heblandics. What are the fleeces like? Do you spin or use the wool in any way?
I used to spin in my youth and am just re-learning. Now the nights are drawing in, I hope to have more time.
The Heblandics are only 2010 lambs yet; this pic was taken when we were clipping the Hebridean ewes:
(http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z52/ji61/IMGP5864-1.jpg)
It will be fascinating to see what their fleeces are like; I love these patterns !
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Jane, they are brilliant 8) :) It looks as if the fleeces are curlier then Hebs usually are. You must let us know at shearing how they turn out. Also how the spinning proceeds.
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Hello from Devon. :wave: Your sheep look lovely!
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Hello From North Yorkshire
Your sheep look lovely - I am new to AS this weekend - it is such an interesting site!
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Hello from me in South Lanarkshire :wave:
No sheep I'm afraid, but I've got plenty piggies to keep me happy ;)
Hope to hear more from you
Karen x
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Hello from me in South Lanarkshire :wave:
No sheep I'm afraid, but I've got plenty piggies to keep me happy ;)
Hope to hear more from you
Karen x
Where abouts in South Lanarks are you, Karen ? I've got a daughter near Boghead and a daughter near Strathaven.
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Another Hello from Lanarkshire, but North Lanarkshire this time. Only about 11 miles from Strathavon though, near Wishaw.
We also breed a few Hebrideans, so I'm fascinated by your Heblantics! Welcome to the group.
John
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hi and welcome from moray :wave:
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Hi! Love the sheep, I have just bought some Bowmonts and hope to collect a ram from Perth next week. Also keep Polled Dorsets. I don't eat processed food either - been reading about the state of the food industry and would be quite happy never to set foot in a supermarket again, but not at the stage where we can be wholly self sufficient in food as yet, but working on it. Also like you, I do like my coffee. Oh! and welcome from north Wales.
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Hi! Love the sheep, I have just bought some Bowmonts and hope to collect a ram from Perth next week. Also keep Polled Dorsets. I don't eat processed food either - been reading about the state of the food industry and would be quite happy never to set foot in a supermarket again, but not at the stage where we can be wholly self sufficient in food as yet, but working on it. Also like you, I do like my coffee. Oh! and welcome from north Wales.
What are Bowmonts ? Do you have a photo, morri2 ? Are you a Weston Price fan ?
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Hiya Jane, I do have some photos but I can't attach them here - it won't take them for some reason. Have tried a few times. Bowmonts are three quarter Merino and a quarter Shetland. Very few of them left now. They were an experimental breed from a research centre in 1980's where scientists were trying to produce a good highland sheep that would be hardy and provide a good income from their fleeces for the Scottish hill farmers. Their wool is fantastic to work with I believe. I've not tried it yet, but hope to get myself some equipment and have a go shortly. If you go on the website for Devon Fine Fibres (very easy to find) who have the biggest flock in the country, you'll see what I'm on about - oh! and there's plenty of pics too.
Not heard of Weston Price. Can you enlighten me please. Cheers for now. :wave:
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Hiya Jane, I do have some photos but I can't attach them here - it won't take them for some reason. Have tried a few times. Bowmonts are three quarter Merino and a quarter Shetland. Very few of them left now.
Not heard of Weston Price. Can you enlighten me please. Cheers for now. :wave:
What an interesting website it is too ! Weston A Price was a dentist who, in the 1930s visited as many tribes and countries as possible, looking at dentition and diet. Today he has many followers; basically no processed foods and only traditionally prepared food - soaking grains and nuts, for example. Have a look at www.westonaprice.org
Saturated fat is very much approved of - which suits me just fine ! ;D
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Hello Jane
I have also recently joined AS and think it is a brilliant site.
I am just in the process of setting up a small holding - live in Yorkshire near York and have about four and a half acres.
I am planning to have pigs in the main, with maybe a couple of sheep and goats and would really like some chickens as well.
Would love to hear more about how you work and manage your small holding and maybe swap tips!
Hows the weather up there today...? If is very cold and wet here after a weather forecast for sunshine!
Appreciate you may not have much time - but would be good to have the occasional natter ?
Kind Regards
Amanda
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Thanks for the info Jane. I've had a quick look at the site - pity this guy's not around today. I intend to study his theories in more detail when I get a bit more time to myself. School holidays here this week so time is limited!!
Have you read any of the books by Felicity Lawrence? Or 'End of Food' by Paul Roberts? Cheers for now. :wave: