Shearing Accomplished!

Today is cold and wet. But yesterday was hot, dry, and sunny...perfect for shearing sheep.

Since Clancy had surgery on his knee in February, I knew I would need other help on shearing day. My dear friend, Gail, agreed to help me out and we planned for a day at the end of her lambing season. Susan, from the recent fiber guild visit also wanted to be here for the big event. Even though I always feel apprehensive about shearing day, I was relieved that I wouldn't be on my own.

As it turns out, Gail, Susan, and Susan's friend Brett, were amazing and beyond capable. The day went more smoothly than I had even hoped for. I felt downright spoiled with so much help at hand.

Gail totally assisted Byron, the shearer. Gail, you are the best!

Byron did an excellent job once again. I am so thankful for his willingness to share his expertise. In this photo he is shearing Dolce, my emsket ewe.

Susan skirted every single fleece to my specifications, and she did a knock out job of it! Here she is skirting Nhu, a black katmoget ewe lamb fleece.

And Brett took photos of us all and every step of the process. He also ran fleece back and forth, hefted equipment, and tried his hand at shearing! Each photo here is taken by Brett. It was so convenient to have a record of the day without having to lug around the camera myself.

This last shot is of some of the ewes with me in front, writing a sheep name down on a tag to go in the bag with it's wool.

Thank you, again, to each of you who helped make it a great day.