Natural shades of grey

Herdwicks change colour as they age, which is rather a bonus.

EXTRA DARK: the lambs are born a dark brown (almost black) so at the first shearing the wool is at is darkest. The first shearing is in the year after their birth when they count as hoggs, and by this time their coat is a very dark brown - what Christine Crofts calls EXTRA DARK.   It's a chunky, hunky sort of age and a lovely dark chocolate colour.  Technically it's the teenage years of the lamb, but it feels much more mature and grown-up than that....

DARK: the second shearing produces a warmer shade of browny grey - called DARK by Chris Crofts.  It's a more tolerant shade altogether; pleasing and comfortable; a sort of we-mean-business type of tie without any self-consciousness....

MEDIUM: as further maturity comes to the sheep, they produce a pleasing genuine grey - MEDIUM.   It's a sophisticated, sleek shade, suggesting comfort with oneself; calmness and capability.  By now, the sheep are producing lambs and pretty well acquainted with all that is expected of them, and how to handle life in general.

LIGHT: and finally, as they age further to become the elders of the flock, full of wisdom and sagacity, they take on a many toned creamy grey - LIGHT.  There is something very special about this wool which can be felt as the tie is crafted and worn.  This is a creature which has stayed the course; delivered the goods, and had a certain amount of fun along the way.

Should you move through the colours as you yourself age?  Or can you buy wisdom off the peg...?