Dear diary,
Tuesday, 9:15am
Today is a day I’ve been looking forward to for a long time because I haven’t been on a trip in years! There was lots of excitement going through my head. I didn’t know if I was nervous, excited, apprehensive or just very overwhelmed. I left the house full of excitement waiting for the bell to ring and the bus to arrive. On the bus we went to Ambury farm, setting sail on the dirt road surrounded by beautiful ancient stone walls.
9:45 am
We finally arrived! Ambury farm at last. I can’t breathe in, not a chance. All I can smell is poop. We got introduced to the rangers Richard and Janine who welcomed us and explained what we are doing today. This is making me even more excited. Now it’s time to start snacking on something EXTREMELY healthy and nutritious food called chocolate chip cookies!!! Janine and Richard “while everyone is eating here are some basic rules”
- No chasing any animals
- Don’t put ur fingers near animals faces
- Toilets are in the corner
- Don’t annoy the animals
- Have fun!
First activity for the day, sheep shearing.
10:25 am
I am terrified and I’m sitting on the top of the bleachers. I can’t imagine being the two strong men shearing the rams. It smelt like a big bucket of sweat. What made it even worse was the humidity flowing through the room. We decided to go outside and talk about what we were seeing so that the other group could look before they finished shearing all the rams. Everyone was going wow, cool, fun while I’m over here saying poor sheep. I was curious about whether it hurt their skin but really it was a huge relief for them because they won’t be so hot. They shear the sheep at the start of summer so that they aren’t boiling during the heat and the start of winter for a clean layer to keep them warm. Their wool is very good for your skin because it has an oil named lanolin.
10:40 am
Hi Richard, what are we going to be doing now? We are going to be learning about fabric and what fabric comes from which animal, says Richard. I didn’t know that pig hair is used for brushes. ok everyone you will know turn right, go through that gate and be able to gaze around at the animals.
11:10 am
These piglets are so cute! Since we are allowed to gaze around the farm I’m definitely going to check out the lambs. Wow, these cows are humongous and raucous. I wonder what they are saying? Why is everyone yelling? OMG! There is a peacock in the tree. It looks so pretty with the blue, green and yellow but they kind of look like mini avocados. Luckily I love avocados! Well not as much as my friend Pearl. Baaaaaa baaaaa look it’s a hurdal of lambs running around they are so cute I just want to take them home with me! But look over there, it’s a sheep dog rallying them up. I can never say no to a dog. Let’s keep looking around.
11:45 am
Guys come look, it’s a horse! Why are they so big? C why are they so big? Because they run a lot, eat lots of grass and are very lean with no fat! That’s very interesting. Pearl please put that down. You don’t even know if that’s a real horse toe nail it could be a stick or even very old dried up poop! Ewwwww. Tayler look, there is another horse over there but it’s not as big. Horses must need a lot of grass for just two of them because this is even bigger than my house. Rest of my group “can we go eat lunch now” “sure, let’s head over now but remember to wash your hands” says Mr Wong.
12:05 pm
Lunch! Finally I’m so hungry from walking and talking. Mmmmm I have never enjoyed eating a sandwich more than I do now! Ooh next activity already we’re making felt. Nooo my feelings fell into the sink, can I make a new one? “Sure” says Janine. Ok so it goes fluff, sandwich it, drench ooh my. Favorite part…..bubbles, bubbles, bubbles. That made it very soapy. Ok now , rub, rub, rub, rub, rub ok break my arms are sore. And rub rub rub rub rub and done! Thank you Janine! That was so fun. Time for spinning!
1:25 pm
That’s spreading out so long. Quickly Tayler we need to try immediately! Ok ok, pull, pull, now you twist this way and I’ll twist this way. Keep going, oopsie it snapped let’s try yours. Ok pull, now twist, pull, twist……….it’s really long! Let’s fold in half now and keep twisting and pulling. Ok I think this is the end of it. Let’s tie it up to make a bracelet. Never mind it smells, I’ll just put it in my bag. I think we are getting ready to leave now, let’s get my bag then line up to get onto the bus. I bet lots of people are going to fall asleep on the bus! Hopefully I don’t.
2:00 pm
Aww, we are leaving now. Thankyou Janine and Richard for hosting this for us! We really appreciate it. Hopefully we can come back to do a different section next time. Ka kite! On the bus back to school.
