1 June 2011

Ben Helping Out

Last year, a young Ben helped us shear the sheep (I usually call it “clipping”, so I’ll call it that). This year I decided he could help out again.
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So, on Monday and Tuesday, Ben and myself were responsable for keeping our father and son pair of clippers well stocked with sheep to clip. Ben and myself had a helper on Monday too – a man called James. He switched to pulling sheep out for one of the clippers the next day. When the sheep would start to run out, Ben and myself would herd a few sheep into the clipping trailer, where they waited to be clipped.

Most of the time however, Ben just stood on the ramp into the trailer.
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Ben also spent his time bothering entertaining the sheep.
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Bubbles was not impressed.
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The clipped ewes and their lambs waiting outside to be taken back to the fields.
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Clipping is one of the most physically demanding times of the year, so of course there are regular breaks. At 3pm the clippers are turned off and everyone goes off for some tea and chocolate!
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The canine helpers Fly and Ben (and myself to keep them company) have to wait in the tractor.
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When I get in, there isn’t much room for Ben… who sticks his head through the steering wheel.
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Fly waits patiently for dad to come back.
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I think we’re going to need a bigger tractor…
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14 comments:

  1. Adien Crafts1 June 2011 at 21:12

    Oh wow, what a great post, that's so interesting. We love reading about your adventures on the farm, and the photo's are fantastic as usual. I hope you got your fair share of tea and biscuits seeing as you were kept so busy as the warm up act for the sheep ;-) Look forward to more farm tales, Dex & Lou x

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  2. Sagira1 June 2011 at 21:33

    Ben is such a great helper. :)

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  3. Oskar1 June 2011 at 21:53

    It looks like a great day overall!

    Nubbin wiggles,
    Oskar

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  4. Jennifer Rose2 June 2011 at 00:02

    awww love the shots of ben with his head through the steering wheel :)

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  5. Anonymous2 June 2011 at 00:42

    Ahh!! My Ben fix! :) I bet Ben had lots of fun helping out and getting to spend extra time with you.

    Hopefully all the hard work is over for a while and you all can rest and relax!

    Elyse and Riley

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  6. ♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥2 June 2011 at 01:21

    OH, waht fun! What do you do with all those clippings? The sheep look so nice all sheared there. And Ben, such a sweet face.

    Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

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  7. Ryker2 June 2011 at 02:18

    OMD, that first shot of Ben belongs in Nat. Geo.
    I also love the one of him with his head in the wheel! That does sound like a lot of hard work. I buy raw wool for needle felting.
    ~S

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  8. The Daily Pip 2 June 2011 at 03:54

    That picture of Ben with the sheep is hysterical! It does really look like he is telling them a story!

    Your pal, Pip

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  9. rottrover2 June 2011 at 04:33

    Great photos today, and very interesting to us city dogs!!

    -Gizmo, Bart and Ruby

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  10. ForPetsSake2 June 2011 at 05:49

    I saw a competition once on TV about the fastest, most accurate clipper - it takes quite a bit of skill, strength and speed to sheer efficiently.
    But tea AND chocolate? Sign me up!

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  11. Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu2 June 2011 at 15:14

    I like your driving technique, Ben!

    Woofs,
    Tommy

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  12. Unknown2 June 2011 at 15:33

    Ben, you did a great job!

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  13. BZ Dogs3 June 2011 at 08:15

    I think Ben was channeling Babe in the picture with him facing the sheep. "Baaa Raaam Ewwe"! :)

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  14. BCxFour8 June 2011 at 21:30

    I love love love love!!! the first picture of Ben on the bale. LOVE IT!

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