Here we are at the farm. We are jumping right in because I am so excited about these awesome, rare, animals that we were able to see at Mary Arden's farm.
A pedigree Portland ewe. In 2012, the very first one was born on Mary Arden's farm....this might be it? The lambs of this breed would be a red colour and they would only birth one. Famous for their mutton since the times of King George III. Very rare but the farm has four that we were able to pet and chat with.
This year they will be celebrating the 500th anniversary of the building of Mary Arden's farmhouse. She was the youngest of 8 daughters. The actual farm is located in Wilmcote, a bit outside of Stratford-Upon-Avon. Referred to as a Tudor farm because of the time when it was built. Tudors were still on the throne.
The Tudor Rose symbolizes the uniting of the two families, the House of York (symbol of a White Rose) and House of Lancaster (symbol of a Red Rose). Their battles were called the Wars of the Roses beginning from 1455. After many battles back and forth, King Henry VII (a Lancaster) was crowned. He married Elizabeth of York joining the families histories forever.
Mary Arden's farm was the home of William Shakespeare's Mother, Mary Shakespeare. It is a working farm that transported us back to 1570. You can do 'traditional chores' such as animal caring and bread making, basket weaving and gardening. We enjoyed a great conversation with the 'Smithy' or Black Smith.
There are cows, pigs, chickens, horses, sheep which many are rare breeds that you can touch. The farm workers are dressed in period costumes and literally are 'earning their keep' on the land.
Below is a nine day old English Longhorn bull calf that was born on the Arden Farm. Absolutely adorable. No longer a rare breed, the English Longhorn breed are a success story of saving a species from extinction. Their numbers are now plentiful.
Her Mamma's name is 'Kate.' She is a milking cow and that will be done, the old fashion way, by hand.
These are Mamma and baby Hereford heifers, born around early February.
The Cotswold sheep, also known as the 'Cotswold Lions' sheep because of their incredible manes. The wool from these sheep is rare to find. It is like a silk it is so fine. They are descendants from the flocks that grazed in these fields of England during the times of the Romans.
Many ewes have a splash of paint on their back sides? We had wondered what that was all about. When a ram is brought in to 'service the ewes' they are equipped with a rein which is attached to a 'rattle.' Kind of looks like a paint pack. It will mark the ewes and then the pairs can be identified when she lambs in the Spring.
When King Richard The Lion heart was returning from the Crusades, he was kidnapped and held for ransom. Most of the ransom was paid from the wealth of the selling of these beautiful fleece. He was the one who named them the 'Cotswold Lion.'
Another rare animal found here is this Pedigree Gloucester heifer. They are used for beef but mostly dairy produce. Almost brought to extinction in the 17th century, they are kept on this farm. I was amazed by the white stripe on its back and tail....sort of like a skunk.
These are rare Mangalitza pigs. Native to Hungary, they are a docile and gorgeous animal. If you look closely, they have tight ringlets of reddish orange hair covering them. Very popular with visitors.
My new buddy, a Golden Guernsey goat. A perfect wee thing to add to my upcoming Hobby Farm. They are gentle and affectionate. These beautiful docile goats were nearly wiped out during WW2. The Germans occupied the island of Guernsey and slaughtered all the livestock there to feed themselves. A small group were hidden away which saved the breed, but there are very few still today.
These goats will have a wee baby in April.
The milk from these goats makes excellent cheese.
'Izzie' is a pure white Barn Owl. This young student from France is quite brave to allow Izzie to perch on his arm.
Gorgeous wee lovie.
Below is 'Talia' a twenty year old Eagle Owl. She is coming in for a landing and it took all my courage to stay still and shoot this photo without running for cover. She is huge.
An incredible wing span on Talia. With massive orange eyes. It appears that she stares but Jan explained that is actually the make up of her eyes. I did put on my 'big girl panties' and sit and pose with Talia on my arm for a photo. While I waited for Jan to snap the picture, Talia looked straight at me and freaked me out. Again....I summoned all my courage to remain calm and hold her, a bit away from me this time, and got a photo of a lifetime!
Jan the Falconer who does the bird demonstrations on the farms loves these birds. He takes them all home with him at the end of each day.
Below are photos of some of the other Birds of Prey at the farm. They are kept in open pens and you can get a real great look at them.
A Lanner Falcon.
A Common Buzzard.
A Golden Eagle.
The Tamworth pigs with a long nose and ginger coat are a bit bigger now than when Shakespeare would have seen in his time. Very boisterous, active and inquisitive. They really entertained us. I want one. Unfortunately for these wee lads they are famous for their dual production of pork and bacon?
Well I guess it is feeding time....we are going to head out but we would love to return and spend more time here. Maybe volunteering to 'earn our keep' would be fun!!
Bye little piggies.
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