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Today I went to the Rarebreeds show at the Weald & Downlands outdoor museum. There were plenty of wonderful sheep there that had so many different fleeces from an almost felted appearance to long long dreadlocks. Being a spinner the sheep were of greatest interest to me but I also browsed the huge pigs, big eyed cows and nosy goats.

After that I went for a stroll around the stalls and found my favourite spindle maker IST. Here I found a new product for sale, a Tibetan supported spindle which I immediately fell in love with. They are so new they are not even on their website!  It spins like a dream for ever.  It is surely going to become my absolute favourite.

 I also bought another Russian brass tipped spindle to add to my collection - I now have 3!



I was told by the many West Surrey Guild members that I met at the event that as soon as the judging of the fleeces was over that there was a fleece sale so I hurried as fast as my legs would take me over to the fleece tent where I managed to pick up (just!) a whole 4.2Kg of White Leicester Longwool that feels SO SO soft even in the raw.







I also found a Black Leicester Longwool half fleece which has lots of really black sections in.  I think I'm going to be having some fun over the next few months!












Here's the wonderful sheep breeds that the fleece came from - dreadlock joy!



Having had my fill of purchases I went off to find the Guild of Spinners Weavers and Dyers Exhibition in the Gridshell one of the furthest buildings from Rare breeds show and up a steep climb but well worth the hike.  it is a very beautiful building.



The first thing I saw was this wonderful jacket of many colours.
Further back I found the West Surrey sections 6" circle entries they were all SO different and amazing.  There has been so much work put into all these wonderful items.  The room was filled with weaving and knitting from really delicate silk scarves to really thick rugs to last a lifetime and beyond.  I have been inspired!



All in all it was a lovely day out IN THE SUNSHINE!!









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