South Island, New Zealand

A flock of sheep grazing in some picturesque locale is a common sight from the road in NZ, a country where the woolly mammals far outnumber the humans. A honking ofour car's horn sent them running off into oblivion, a sight that never failed to amuse us. The timid creatures' seemingly ubiquitous presence in the country served to spark our interest in the shearing process, so mundane to the Kiwis but somehow exotic to us city dwellers.

LS

 

Owaka, South Island, New Zealand

Over a pint of cheap beer in a local pub, we were introduced to a wizened shearer, whose knuckles gave homage to his lifetime work. George was gracious enough to answer all of our amateur questions with a kind and matter-of-fact air. We desired to see and live the process, and this articulate gentleman directed us to the Burgess farm off of Burnt Flat Road to join in the following day’s woolshed workload.

SBR