The sheep.
I wandered down the Main Street of Te Kuiti while Joe and Jana Prepared with a run (clearly to practice Incase a rouge sheep jumped the barricades and hell brakes loose) and a lie in (clearly to conserve energy) respectively. They were clearly taking the event as seriously as I was.
I visited a couple of stalls up and down the high street before watching a BBQ demenstration and also a performance of the Big Muffin Serious Band. They were very silly but actually very entertaining. Joe and Jana joined me for a couple more acts and some tasty Samoan food.
Then we got our spots close to the action.
The wolly monsters ran down the street in droves, you could almost see the fire in their eyes as the power of there hooves struck terror into the hearts of the small children. The children did what they could to steady themselves. Some of them were trying to overcome their anxiety -very convincingly- with laughter and smiles. But I could tell behind of this facad of joviality the demonic ewes where rapping at their very souls.
Some people were holding their hands out in obvious terror. Clearly attempting to keep the sheep at arms length as they rampaged down the street, as hulking dogs tried to keep these blood thirsty creatures under control.
Later that evening we attended the New Zealand sheep sheering finals. It was a baaariliant event (ha haa!).
It was actually really good fun and very entertaining. We saw several different events. From speed sheering, breed variety sheering, wool packing, youth sheering and quality sheering jobs.
The prime minister was in attendance and I met, accidentally, the president of the New Zealand sheep sheering association. I shook his hand and stole the person who he was talking to (the local physio) who went on to offer me a job!
Although the sheering was good, some of the speeches were a bit... Wooly... (He hee!). But the laser show before the men's open final was honestly excellent and one of the best I've ever seen.
The standard of sheerers was top quality. It was a close shave who would win at times (ok that's a bit ropey I can do better).
Some of the younger contestants were initially a bit sheepish (brilliant) but I'm sure if they can ram in enough practice they can beat the old goats at there own game.
Overall the sheer spectacle was a cut above any other sheep tournament I have been too. (HA!)
We had such a great time, the event was very well put together and well run.
After the finals and prize givings we went home to (last one I promise) .... Count some sheep...
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