About us
We are Klaas and Paula Kaslander, and we live together with our animals on a small farmhouse in Ouddorp, at the very western tip of the island of Goeree-Overflakkee. Behind our home lie the dunes, and beyond them the North Sea —
a beautiful place to live, to work and to care for everything that grows and lives around us.
Here, on the edge of the land, we find peace, space and a deep sense of connection with nature. The rhythm of the seasons, the changing winds and weather, and the daily life with our animals form the foundation of who we are and how we live.
On our farm you will also find Buck, our loyal dog, and Caleb, our gentle cat. Both were once rescued in Romania and found their home with us through adoption organisations. They are part of our life, just as our flock of Herdwick sheep is.
Animals are not possessions or products to us, but unique creatures — each with its own character, history and place in the world. We believe that animals are part of God’s creation, and that it is our responsibility to care for them well. Good stewardship, loving attention and respect for the animal itself are the foundation of everything we do.
Work and passion
Alongside our daily jobs — Klaas as a hydraulic engineer and Paula as an English teacher at a secondary school — we spend much of our free time with our sheep. What began as a hobby has slowly grown into a shared passion and way of life.
Our Herdwick flock now consists of more than forty animals, all of whom we know by name. They graze on several pastures around Ouddorp throughout the year, depending on availability and the season. We make sure they move to a new pasture regularly, keeping the soil healthy and the sheep resilient. The daily moments of contact — watching them, feeding, caring — are valuable to us and an important part of our rhythm.
How our story began
Our shared passion for Herdwicks is what brought us together. We had both already gained experience with this breed before our paths crossed — through a bottle-fed lamb that Paula bought from Klaas. We later exchanged our vows in the beautiful Lake District in England, the region where the Herdwick originated. We celebrated our wedding among the Herdwick sheep at the iconic Yew Tree Farm in Coniston. Our wedding even caught the attention of the British press; the story was published in an English newspaper.
England in our hearts
Our love for England goes far beyond a fondness for a holiday destination. It feels like coming home the moment we drive into the hills of the Lake District, where steep green slopes are lined with stone walls and Herdwicks watch us from the roadside. England has given us so much: friendships, inspiration, depth — and even our marriage.
Over the years, we have built many warm connections in England with people who, just like us, cherish the rhythm of the land, the changing seasons, and the animals that belong to it.
Living with the seasons
We live by the rhythm of the seasons: looking forward to lambing time in April, the summers when the lambs grow and the sheep are shorn, the autumn when the ewes are covered, and the winters when we sit by the wood stove processing their wool — each season brings its own pace.
For us, it is important that the wool from our animals is truly used — with respect for the sheep and for nature. We waste nothing, but always look for a meaningful, sustainable purpose for what the sheep give us. Working with wool, weaving, caring for the flock — it is all part of the same rhythm, one in which care, attention and gratitude are at the centre.
Contact
We are happy to share our knowledge and experience with anyone interested in Herdwick sheep or in working with their wool. Whether you have questions about keeping this breed, using Herdwick wool, or simply want to learn more about our approach, we are always open to contact.
Do you have any questions? Feel free to send us a message!
Klaas en Paula Kaslander
Ouddorp, Zuid Holland