TSS Earnslaw - Queenstown NZ

From the deep South, Stewart Island, we headed up to Queenstown, a tourist town on steroids. We usually avoid such places, but, when we learned there was a coal-fired steamship there, the TSS Earnslaw, well, there was no question, we just had to visit! We booked on a tour which took us on a forty-five minute jaunt across Lake Wakatipu to the historic Walter Peak High Country Farm. The farm tour included a sheep-shearing and sheepdog demonstration. An afternoon cream tea in the Colonel's Homestead restaurant, located in part of the original farmhouse, topped the day off perfectly. We enjoyed the whole thing very much, despite the still-pouring rain. Luckily, they provided umbrellas.

It was toasty warm on board the ship, thanks to the five coal fires that were burning. Two young, strapping, stokers kept the fires going.

TSS stands for "twin-screwed steamship". Two engines require a lot of maintenance and specialized tools to keep them going.

The sheepdogs, Bella and Ace, were a sight to watch. They are "eye dogs" which means they don't make noise at the sheep, but, rather, control them through constant sight monitoring and swift movements, following voice commands from their handler.

The sheep-shearing was interesting. It was easier than I thought. When a sheep is lifted off its legs, it basically goes totally limp and doesn't fight the shearer. The fleece can then be taken off in one single piece.

There were a few other farm animals around, along with deer and even Highland Cattle.

The grounds and flowers were absolutely delightful, despite the day.

The rain never let up.