Sheep Shearing

In October, we joined a homeschool outing to Klein Plasie (Little Farm) in order to watch and learn about sheep and their wool.  It was so interesting, and amazing to see how calm the sheep was while being shorn.

Our guide for the day taught us about different sheep and their uses in such a funny and friendly way.

We were amazed that this was the fleece of ONE SHEEP!!! So much wool!!

The sheep shearing demonstration.

Totally calm, while her wool is being cut off with shears (no electrical equipment)!!

How to keep your boys and girls out of mischief: make them pump water!! 

After the shearing process, the sheep are dipped to kill any ticks or fleas, and clean any cuts they may have sustained during shearing. (The fence surrounding the area was completely built out of thorns - just look at the size of them! Ouch!)

The girls were so excited to see a real spinning wheel - but alas, there was nowhere to prick their fingers and sleep till Prince Charming found them!!

Wool is dyed using natural substances & produces amazing colours

Afterwards we went on a tractor ride to the picnic grounds, where we enjoyed our lunch, then went through the nearby museum, filled with old cars, and a real old locomotive - it was huge.  As you can imagine - this was the kids' delight, and they were able to climb in (and under) the train.

Fun at the picnic yard!

Boys love machines!!

Imagine a trip on this thing!!

The children loved being able to see underneath the train!

It was amazing to see all that could be accomplished without technology - the whole farm is geared at showing life as it was before industrialization.  We came home counting our blessings for all the ease that technology gives us (and a sense of wonder at those who went before us!!)