The Farmpark Day 3: Showdown with the Runaway Pigeon

Today started off just like any other day; I mucked Liz's pen, mucked one of the sheep pens, and swept the floor before the school groups trickled in for the demos during their field trips.  I also learned how to card wool using a drum carder.  Carding wool is basically brushing washed wool in order to align it in a single direction and remove larger pieces of debris that were missed during washing.  I did this for the entire first half of the day.  To card the wool successfully, it needs to be put through the drum carder about 2-3 times.  What is more, only small chunks of wool can go through the carder all at once.  So, I can only create roughly a foot long piece at a time.  After the wool is carded it is called roving, which can be used to spin, weave, or make into felt.  This process is long and tiring, but I made it fun by getting the schoolkids involved while I demonstrated how to card the wool using the drum carder.  They always crowded around me and were very interested in what I was doing and what I had to say.  After my lunch break, things got interesting.  A pigeon randomly appeared in the rafters of the Well Bred Shed.  But, this was not an ordinary, run-of-the-mill street pigeon.  It had an ID tag on its leg, which meant it had an owner.  I spent the second half of my day attempting to catch the rogue bird while it mocked me from the rafters and pooped everywhere.  I guess that's the thanks I get for trying to help him and send him home.  On the bright side, before I left I had the opportunity to meet Segway, a gorgeous and famous gypsy vanner stallion.  He even bowed for me!

Roving

Drum Carder

Segway's Fan Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/FansOfSegway?ref=br_tf