What a lovely and interesting story (with an extra bonus of a video). This brought back fond childhood memories of growing up next to a small pasture owned by a retired gentleman with a small flock of sheep. In the springtime the neighborhood kids would gather to watch the shearing (and get chased across the pasture by the ram).
Thank you, LLL. Much appreciated. Watching the sheep shearing sounds like fun for a group of kids. Getting chased by a ram does not.
Once on a walk in a rural Virginia town, a ram stalked me and threatened to butt me with its horns. I had no refuge but to hide behind a mailbox post until two men came along to save me. They found the house of the owner of the ram and told him to put it in the pen. I had visions of the ram trampling me. Not a pretty sight.
Those sheep are cute but I wouldn't want to get in the way of one.
I'm sure your hair is less unruly than Rob's. His matched his outfit.
I enjoyed this tale of sheep shearing and the link to Spain. I'm wearing a merino wool top as I write! I love it's softness and insulation properties. Now I know where it originated! One of my former colleagues raises kelpies and keeps sheep (she lived in Australia for a time). It seems to be the perfect pairing!
Hooray! Good for you. Now it will have even more significance knowing it might have come from the land of Tim or Betsey. Those sheepdogs are amazing as you know from the shows you've seen on the island. I love seeing them at work. They seem to love their job.
Love this (and love merino wool! It’s a big deal where I’m from, Central Otago 🥰). Now when I hear the word I also think of the Spanish saying about “no mezclar churras con merinas” ie, don’t compare two totally different kind of sheep (or as we would say in English, apples and oranges!)
Thanks, Amy! Your comment gave me a chance to look up Central Otago and learn a little more about that beautiful country. I see that for at least a century, the region's economic activity has focused on sheep, stone fruit, and tourism. It seems like more recently there's wine industry.
I love that Spanish saying about churras con merinas. It's a much more interesting image that apples and oranges.
Thanks so much for reading and for once again teaching me something about New Zealand.
Yes spot on, those industries are the main ones, plus tourism (thanks to converting some of the abandoned rail lines into biking routes). Pinot noir wines from Central are particularly good and one of my favourite things to do when I’m home is visit the vineyards. Many of them have what’s called a “cellar door” (not sure if this is a specific NZ term or used more widely), which basically means a food service, the classic offering is a platter/grazing board of cheeses, meats, breads and dips etc. Sharing one of those with friends and family and enjoying the local wines is always such a treat. 😊
Another fascinating account, with such detail describing how the shearer works. In all honesty, and realizing Rob works efficiently and keeps it all as brief as possible, it looks pretty traumatizing for the sheep. Those Spanish royalty weren't squeamish about methods to keep their monopoly.
I thought it would be traumatizing too and I expected the sheep to come in kicking and screaming. In fact, she was pretty quiet the whole time like she was just waiting to get the darn thing over with. When she got up, she didn't bolt. She stood there looking a little embarrassed and then headed out the shoot. Like Pepper after she got a clipping.
I agree that Merino clothing are the best and wear them outdoors all the time. I love your account of Aussie sheep running and shearing. The first Australian to establish a large and successful Merino sheep business founded on some of those imported Spanish sheep was Captain John MacArthur. He was also one of the most hated and notoriously corrupt of the early N.S.W. Army Corps officers and colonists. But he knew how to coerce people and how to raise sheep. He locked horns with several of the early governors of NSW, including William Bligh, against whom he instigated (another) mutiny.
Yes, I read about Captain John MacArthur but what I perused didn't use quite the same terms as your description. I'm sure that it was so however given the attitudes and approaches of several powerful colonists.
Like so many things, I wish I'd known more about Merino sheep before the trip so I could fully appreciate them there and maybe even buy a new garment. We almost bought a blanket in Graymouth but how on earth would we have gotten it home? One of the many things on the list for next time.
Thank you for reading and sharing another side of the story.
This is brilliant!! Even though I was there with you as we laughed, ooooed, clapped, cried, sighed and aha-d, I could not remember all we were told and (again!) took away soooo much from this Snippet! A great time was had by all and I simply love the way you write and bring out so many details! Thx!🙏🏼
Thank you, Betz, for your very kind comments and all that enthusiasm. This was certainly an event we'll never forget. I loved being there with you and Liz and enjoying this once in a lifetime experience. Thank you both for helping to bring it about.
Que increible historia, creería que esta es otra de las profesiones que no podrá reemplazar la IA, afortunadamente, lastimosamente no creo que Rob y otros como el, reciban un pago mas que justo por su extenuante trabajo.
Leave it to you to find a bit of Spain in all of your adventures! Farmers are incredible - it has to be a labor of love. It’s hard to image the job ad - no vacation, be on the job early and be prepared to stay late, and shear a sheep in 5 minutes or less every few minutes. Must love tourists.
One of the many wonderful things about this visit was Rob loves raising sheep and wants to spread the word. Though he is tired of the daily hard work and has cut down by thousands the number of sheep, he remains enthusiastic. He also believes it's his mission to diminish the bad rap that farmers have (at least people don't think highly of them). Yes, he does love tourists because he can show them what farming is about and how they take care of and love the animals.
What a lovely and interesting story (with an extra bonus of a video). This brought back fond childhood memories of growing up next to a small pasture owned by a retired gentleman with a small flock of sheep. In the springtime the neighborhood kids would gather to watch the shearing (and get chased across the pasture by the ram).
This reminds me….I need to get a haircut.
Thank you, LLL. Much appreciated. Watching the sheep shearing sounds like fun for a group of kids. Getting chased by a ram does not.
Once on a walk in a rural Virginia town, a ram stalked me and threatened to butt me with its horns. I had no refuge but to hide behind a mailbox post until two men came along to save me. They found the house of the owner of the ram and told him to put it in the pen. I had visions of the ram trampling me. Not a pretty sight.
Those sheep are cute but I wouldn't want to get in the way of one.
I'm sure your hair is less unruly than Rob's. His matched his outfit.
I enjoyed this tale of sheep shearing and the link to Spain. I'm wearing a merino wool top as I write! I love it's softness and insulation properties. Now I know where it originated! One of my former colleagues raises kelpies and keeps sheep (she lived in Australia for a time). It seems to be the perfect pairing!
Hooray! Good for you. Now it will have even more significance knowing it might have come from the land of Tim or Betsey. Those sheepdogs are amazing as you know from the shows you've seen on the island. I love seeing them at work. They seem to love their job.
Thanks for the read and comment.
Love this (and love merino wool! It’s a big deal where I’m from, Central Otago 🥰). Now when I hear the word I also think of the Spanish saying about “no mezclar churras con merinas” ie, don’t compare two totally different kind of sheep (or as we would say in English, apples and oranges!)
Thanks, Amy! Your comment gave me a chance to look up Central Otago and learn a little more about that beautiful country. I see that for at least a century, the region's economic activity has focused on sheep, stone fruit, and tourism. It seems like more recently there's wine industry.
I love that Spanish saying about churras con merinas. It's a much more interesting image that apples and oranges.
Thanks so much for reading and for once again teaching me something about New Zealand.
Yes spot on, those industries are the main ones, plus tourism (thanks to converting some of the abandoned rail lines into biking routes). Pinot noir wines from Central are particularly good and one of my favourite things to do when I’m home is visit the vineyards. Many of them have what’s called a “cellar door” (not sure if this is a specific NZ term or used more widely), which basically means a food service, the classic offering is a platter/grazing board of cheeses, meats, breads and dips etc. Sharing one of those with friends and family and enjoying the local wines is always such a treat. 😊
I can see I'll have to put a cellar door on the docket for the next trip. Sounds lovely.
Another fascinating account, with such detail describing how the shearer works. In all honesty, and realizing Rob works efficiently and keeps it all as brief as possible, it looks pretty traumatizing for the sheep. Those Spanish royalty weren't squeamish about methods to keep their monopoly.
I thought it would be traumatizing too and I expected the sheep to come in kicking and screaming. In fact, she was pretty quiet the whole time like she was just waiting to get the darn thing over with. When she got up, she didn't bolt. She stood there looking a little embarrassed and then headed out the shoot. Like Pepper after she got a clipping.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
I agree that Merino clothing are the best and wear them outdoors all the time. I love your account of Aussie sheep running and shearing. The first Australian to establish a large and successful Merino sheep business founded on some of those imported Spanish sheep was Captain John MacArthur. He was also one of the most hated and notoriously corrupt of the early N.S.W. Army Corps officers and colonists. But he knew how to coerce people and how to raise sheep. He locked horns with several of the early governors of NSW, including William Bligh, against whom he instigated (another) mutiny.
Yes, I read about Captain John MacArthur but what I perused didn't use quite the same terms as your description. I'm sure that it was so however given the attitudes and approaches of several powerful colonists.
Like so many things, I wish I'd known more about Merino sheep before the trip so I could fully appreciate them there and maybe even buy a new garment. We almost bought a blanket in Graymouth but how on earth would we have gotten it home? One of the many things on the list for next time.
Thank you for reading and sharing another side of the story.
This is brilliant!! Even though I was there with you as we laughed, ooooed, clapped, cried, sighed and aha-d, I could not remember all we were told and (again!) took away soooo much from this Snippet! A great time was had by all and I simply love the way you write and bring out so many details! Thx!🙏🏼
Thank you, Betz, for your very kind comments and all that enthusiasm. This was certainly an event we'll never forget. I loved being there with you and Liz and enjoying this once in a lifetime experience. Thank you both for helping to bring it about.
Que increible historia, creería que esta es otra de las profesiones que no podrá reemplazar la IA, afortunadamente, lastimosamente no creo que Rob y otros como el, reciban un pago mas que justo por su extenuante trabajo.
Esto es muy cierto, IA no puede hacer nada mejor - ni el trabajo ni el show ni la charla. Fue una experiencia memorable.
Gracias por tus comentarios, mi melocotón.
Leave it to you to find a bit of Spain in all of your adventures! Farmers are incredible - it has to be a labor of love. It’s hard to image the job ad - no vacation, be on the job early and be prepared to stay late, and shear a sheep in 5 minutes or less every few minutes. Must love tourists.
One of the many wonderful things about this visit was Rob loves raising sheep and wants to spread the word. Though he is tired of the daily hard work and has cut down by thousands the number of sheep, he remains enthusiastic. He also believes it's his mission to diminish the bad rap that farmers have (at least people don't think highly of them). Yes, he does love tourists because he can show them what farming is about and how they take care of and love the animals.