We woke this morning in Masterton, Home of the Golden Shears. While it is true that our final destination is Reefton, the main goal of our travels is the 2007 Golden Shears. Over three days, the best of the best compete in sheep shearing, wool handling and pressing. It has been my dream to compete in a sheep shearing contest. We were sadly only able to attend the first day of competition but it was everything I had hoped for. Obviously, the deft handling of wool and the brute strength involved in pressing are to be admired, but nothing can surpass the spectacle of speedily shorn sheep and these boys were shearing a sheep every minute. The blood, sweat and tears makes shearing a real spectator sport (blood from the occasionally nicked sheep - you lose
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