When we travel, we prefer to stay local. We found a family farm that was willing to rent us the old homestead for a month. Our host and his father Desi, were wonderful “neighbors” and kept us connected to the community.

So when Desi invited us to the annual sheep shearing, I assumed that it would be an opportunity to take some photos and experience a slice of life far outside my usual routine.

I heard Desi giving commands to his dog Twee before I crossed the road to the field. I called to my husband and headed over to take photos. But Dese waved to me from on top of the hillside and indicated that he needed help. They were trying to move the herd to the shearing pens, but both he and the dog were exhausted.

A small group of acrobatic sheep would not comply. Instead they scattered and balked. The dog was clearly exhausted. Desi didn’t look much better. We were reinforcements.

We walked slowly down the hillside, driving the sheep ahead. Tightening our circle as we walked, we were able to get them into the pens without difficulty. Desi expressed his thanks and Twee jumped into the water to cool off.

We stood talking and waiting for the shearers. I noticed Desi sigh. He pointed back up the steep hill. We missed one. I walked back up, careful to swing wide and behind the sheep hiding in the dense undergrowth. When I got close, I could see there was a newborn lamb.

It was such a pleasure walking the mother and babe down the hill. The reeds looked greener and the sky bluer than humanly possible. The ewe’s bleating was soft and reassuring like a lullaby. Time seemed to stand still.

At the pens, chaos ensued. Sheep jumped on and over each other looking for an exit. The shearers wasted no time setting up shop. They put on their special shoes and grabbed the clippers. Sheep were hauled out and thrown on their back. They were shaved head to toe.

Some sheep fought back. Their twisting and turning caused bloody nicks and cuts. Other older sheep wisely laid completely still and trotted away in their naked indignity.

Thanks for the craic, Desi (and Twee). It was an experience I will not soon forget.