The day before yesterday, the lamb buyer came out (oops, I forgot his name). A very jolly kiwi. He asked if I had celebrated the 4th of July here. :) He told me that his sister and her husband were currently in the states on holiday. At the moment in Nantucket! Ahhh, what I would give for a warm beach right now. Anyway, he invited me to go out with him from farm to farm, to see what he does as a lamb buyer! It would be interesting to see things from that side.
Yesterday was shearing day. Henry, a local Maori fellow, came up (I believe he is a neighbor to Eckhard). He sheared around 400 in about 5 hours. They weren't completely shorn, just around the hind end to clean them up. Boy.... I think it was Jim that said it..."Why do you want to be around sheep? They are filthy animals!" I laughed, but I realize now what he meant. It's easy, if you've never been around them, to imagine little fluffy, cute cottonballs, but they are quite dirty/muddy! My job was to sweep away the shorn wool/dirt/crap as Henry worked, and to make sure that they didn't try to escape as he brought each one out. Another great learning experience.
Tonight I have to do some lamb shifting in preparation for the trucker tomorrow. Did I mention that Eckhard has highland cattle too? They are very cute....from the other side of the fence. The cows aren't too intimadating but there is a bull named Bully who is a little rambunctious and has some serious looking horns. Happily, I can feed them their dinner over the fence. The first time we went into their pen, I was holding a bale of hay, but frozen in place by the gate, ready to bolt at the slightest little charge. Eckhard called me over closer to the herd. He could clearly see the terror in my face. He said the trick is to show domination and to never take your sight off them. Honestly, they are very pretty. This is what they look like:
Zia Christa asked about the food here...I must say that I've been eating very well. Eckhard is a great cook and I will definitely learn a thing or two. He made a great birthday lunch for me! I haven't tried anything unusual or new, but I've been eating very healthy. I take that back....I did try squid the night of my birthday. Ick..... :) But thanks Eckhard!
Ok, back to work! More later....
6 comments:
Kelly! It is so much fun to read about your exciting adventures. I look every day for a new entry and get anxious and excited when I read something new. Can't wait to read more!
I took the words "working on a sheep farm" lightly but I do not any more. Good gracious Kelly, that is really hard work.Your description of your daily chores really paints a great picture of the surroundings. Amazing! Is help coming soon?
Thanks for the updates on food and people - two of my favorite things about travel, and it sounds as if you are blessed with top rate servings of both.
sorta funny, i am not so jealous anymore... just kidding! sounds like you are earning some good sleep nights.
the blogs are great, and just in case you were wondering, Jeanne had the baby. you can check it out http://www.peter.jacoby.name/2007/07/introducing_hannah_rose_jacoby.php
now post some pictures!
miss you KT.
Brian said squid it good!!! Actually it was more like "mmmm, calamari". Is that what you tried or was it something more complicated than that??
Try not to be intimidated of the cattle... just don't wear any red! :)
Oh, and is that a picture of Bully?
Kelly,
I have been reading about your adventures. Feel like I,m reading a book. Finish up with your sheep herding and become a famous author.You make everthing sound so exciting, except, maybe cleaning up after those cute furry sheep.Any rich single mem looking for a grandmother ...I will keep reading...Aunt Peg
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