Fish, Farming and Flowers

Last Thursday I was up very early to go to the Westmorland Show at Crooklands near Kendal. This is a very popular agricultural show with lots to see.
This is a cow skull. Cows teeth grow in layers and as they get older they build up several layers of teeth.

Cow skull, look at the size of the eye socket

The sheep skull is a lot smaller.

Sheep skull

This cow is unusual in that it does not have a skull.

A rare breed

The were a variety of rural crafts being demonstrated. Coopering ie. barrel making is a skilled art.

Beer barrel construction

These are skep beehives that are a very early type of hive. You had to be careful when you lifted them up to collect the honey.

Bee ware

The Wensleydale Longwool sheep have a fleece that is a mass of tight silken ringlets. For the first year only the fleece is so long it almost touches the ground. Unlike many types of fleece this fleece is valuable and is bought by spinners as far afield as Russia and China. There is also a breed of black Wensleydale Longwool sheep but for traditional reasons they are not allowed to be exhibited in shows.

Does anyone have any hair straighteners?

This beautiful Longwool fleece won a prize in the show.

Fabulous fibre

This Ayrshire is wearing his champion sash of prize beast.

A right champion

Highland cattle can be both a sandy colour and also black. They have a very long coat to withstand the climate.

Och the moo

Pigs come in all shapes and sizes. The pig coat is very coarse and they look as though they are going slightly bald as the hair sparse.

Tamworth pig

Pigging out

This little pig went to market

I made some flower arrangements for the visit of the Bishop of Lancaster.  

Pink splendour

Sunny sunflowers

Yellow sunshine

There are still a few flowers that are having a second flush of growth.

Rosy geum

Pretty pink clematis with russet foliage

This dahlia is one of the flowers that is flourishing at this time of the year.

Starbright

In the Artful Garden we have pruned the blackcurrant bushes as you do this after they have finished fruiting.

Short back and sides

The leeks are beginning to swell.

A line of leeks

This deadly nightshade flower is so pretty but beware the berries are poisonous.

Beware

Poisonous nightshade berries

The briar rose has such a delicate perfume.

Simplistic beauty with a delicate perfume

This lovely white seat I found in the grounds of Hexham Abbey I love the shape and style. 

To sit and contemplate

Some Koi kites have arrived in the Artful Garden to brighten up the Autumnal days.

Fishing about

Carping on

A shoal of fish

Fish dancing with dragonflies

This is the time of year for moody skies.

Mysterious

A view from Alston moor looking to the Lakeland hills