Counting Sheep

I am a huge fan of the U.K. edition of Country Living Magazine. I happily fork over $8.50 a month for this publication and 'him indoors' (my husband) never raises an eyebrow because it's so much cheaper than therapy for my homesickness.

I digress.

A recent edition of CL had a pull out poster of sheep varieties as well as an article for the many uses for sheep wool. As we live on a modest portion of Texas I thought what a splendid addition sheep would be to our current livestock collection so that our offspring could enjoy the rare Texas sight so common in England of sheep blissfully and serenely grazing. I have vivid memories of holidays in a rented cottage in Herefordhire as a child where sister and I fell asleep listening to the bizarre yet soothing sound of sheep chewing, farting and coughing, not always in that order.

I duly emailed a sheep specializing professor at husband's alma mater who advised me as to which sheep breeds would be bonkers enough to thrive in this part of the world in a Texas summer. Sadly they were not the Wallace and Gromit fluffy variety, which incidentally hybrid Brit-American children adore, but rather pig-looking creatures with cross faces. Still it might be good fun to watch them roam wild and free against the backdrop of the neighbor's bison and llamas. No doubt they'll give the neighborhood coyotes a run for their money before I introduce the children to the delights of mutton stew or lamb chops with mint sauce. If ever they really do make their ovine appearance here I'll be sure and let you know! 

Does anyone have any experience of raising sheep in the Texas Hill Country? Please do let me know!