Valais at Plumpys Peaceful Pastures
2024 Sweden Trip
The Story behind our Sweden trip
With the Valais Blacknose Breed of sheep being a rare breed in the US, international judges and graders travel every year to the US to judge and grade these beautiful unique sheep. Approximately 24 Valais Blacknose Breeders from across the United States traveled to Sweden for an educational course on grading and judging this rare breed in hopes that we could gather further information and educate US breeders to grade and judge the Valais Blacknose Sheep to the Swiss Standards. This class was instructed by Marita Tauni DVM from Sweden, Certified grader/judge, trained by the Swiss Experts. Along with Emma Collison from the UK, Certified grader/judge, trained by the Swiss Experts. This experience was instructed at the family farm of Kare Knudson & Marita Tauni with classroom , hands on learning, as well as an immersion of the Swedish culture with many extra learning experiences. Rich and I spent time exploring and traveling Sweden before and after our educational experience as well. The following pictures will focus on the Valais Blacknose learning experience and time spent with other US breeders.
Rich and I visited Stockholm before meeting up with our group . This was a highlight in Stockolm . The worlds first permanent ice bar.
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ICE BAR
2024 Sweden Trip
Pictured left to right :
Carl Rudy, Ally Rudy, MJ Gould Early, Candie Francher, Marita Tauni, Emma Collison, Morgan Dawkins, Kelly Weddle, Rich Weddle, Lotta Brown . Pictured at Marita's house
Same as above but this time without Rich Weddle and Kare Knudson ( Marita's husband ) is on the far right
Completed our grading course . Pictured from left to right front row: Marita Tauni, Emma Collison
Back row left to right : Lotta Brown, MJ Gould Early, Candie Francher, Morgan Dawkins, Kelly Weddle, Ally Rudy, Carl Rudy.
Dinner at Marita & Kare's house
Pictured left to right : Kristina Elk , Kelly Weddle, Haulken ( her husband )
Getting ready for the famous sauna experience at Marita & Kare's house Finnish style
Emma Collison left , Marita Tauni right teaching us about the wool of the Valais Blacknose sheep
Felted Valais Blacknose Sheep rug
In the sheep barn
Left to right : Candie Francher, Kelly Weddle, Lotta Brown, Ally Rudy, MJ Gould Early
Kare Knudson & Marita Tauni at their house
Kelly & Rich Weddle at Marita & Kare's house for dinner
In the barn with Marita & Kare's sheep
On a break from our class.
Emma Collison Standing and thinking during our class.
Out to dinner at a very nice restaurant in an estate home in the country.
Akerbo guest house on the farm of Marita & Kare's farm
Everyone heading to class at the original farmhouse where Kare grew up
Marita & Kare's house
At the restaurant for dinner. Marita sang happy birthday to Rich for his bday .
Rich relaxing while I'm in class
Marita & Kare's farm .
Valais wine for dinner
Marita giving a demonstration on hand shearing and crutching
Marita is discussing how to prepare the wool for storage if planning on making a rug
One of the sheep barns on Marita & Kare's farm
Another barn on the farm
Marita & Kare's Flock of sheep
Marita and Kare's Rams eating dinner
Marita Tauni , DVM Certified grader and judge trained by the Swiss experts
Felted Sheep rugs
Valais Blacknose Ram
The black & white sheep in these pictures are spitti's . Spitti's are the reverse coloring of the Valais Blacknose and are considered good luck in Switzerland . The sheep on the far left in the back is another type of rare breed sheep not related to the Valais breed. These sheep have all just been shorn.
Some felted sheep rugs that were made by Kristina Elk
Our breakfast spread. Wild Boar, Moose & Bear.
Gorgeous felted fleece rug made by Kristina Elk using the Spitti fleece . These rugs are all vegan rugs
The room Rich and I stayed while at the farm. Notice that gorgeous felted rug and the fun sheep print sheets.
Having fun on the couch :
Left to right :
Emma Collison, Lotta Brown, Kelly Weddle, Ally Rudy
Hanging out in the Akerbo guest house
Marita Tauni , Rich Weddle , Kelly Weddle
Marita picking us up at the train station once we arrived from Stockholm .
Rich and I on the train from Stockholm to Karlstad train station. Where she would be taking us to Kristinehamn.
Kelly waiting on the train in Stockholm