We saw a blacksmith demonstration [which is cool in and of itself, but Sophia's new poem for recitation is about a blacksmith - so all the things she learned and saw here made the references in the poem very visual and easier to understand]
The coal reaches a temperature of 3000 degrees
See the rectangular hole in the back of the anvil?
...this cutting tool (wedge-shaped) is used to cut off the metal - (shown in photos below)
What he's spinning is the fan for the bellows...
...it really gets it hot!!
Now you can see here how the wedged tool allows him to cut the metal hook off - actually he's basically scoring it - next....
...he snaps it off at the cut.
There's something so "cute" about the little curl at the end of the hook - but I wouldn't tell him that!
We didn't stick around for the "finishing touch" - when you have little ones, it's tough to stay for long tutorials! It was really cool though!
Very bizarre-looking sheep indeed!
And I don't know if there are different types of sheep (I assume there are) - but these definitely don't look like the ones we pass by on little farms 'round here. If you are "sheep savvy", please leave a comment to educate this uninformed blogger!
The kids were excited when they grazed one of the lambs - they really stayed inside their little huddle.
Below, you'll see why...
"No. Not me! Don't pick me!!!"
Helga chooses her sheer(ing) victim...
Feisty little sheep... needed a gentleman to help hold her down.
snip, snip
snip, snip
snip, snip
Nearing the end now...
a little off the top...
40 minutes later.... and, voila! A sheered sheep!
Tools of the trade
For the record, I don't think her name was Helga.
