Cotswold Sheep
Perhaps this is where I can refer the reader to what I believe is an incomparable article on the wonders of the Cotswold Sheep: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Cotswold+sheep-a014644535 .
In a nutshell:
Cotswold sheep are an ancient british breed. They are large, beautiful and very gentle animals. The are hardy and intelligent, they mind fences and are easy keepers – grazing and foraging on what is available, and absolutely thriving on even small amounts of the high quality orchard grass hay we provide in the winter.
Cotswold ewes are easy lambers and wonderful mothers, with vast amounts of milk for their young. Sometimes the size of their udders makes me wince! Their meat is also excellent tasting to boot.
All the above factors aside, Cotswold wool is one of the main reasons I raise these sheep. It is not easy to forget the sight of a Cotswold in full fleece: long and lustrous, hanging down in wavy ringlets. The beautiful, natural luster of Cotswold wool gives it an incomparable sheen, and when dyed it shows great depth and life of colours. It is extremely durable and hardwearing, and the long-stapled fleece is a joy to work with for handspinners, knitters and weavers. Cotswold fleece is referred to as coarse, in reference to the larger diameter of it’s individual fibers. It is ideal for knitted outerwear or rugs or carpets, where it’s softness and sheen belie it’s toughness.