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Our shop in the barn is going really well. There is more space to display our hand knits, yarn and socks and the pet stuff is starting to get local interest.
The alpacas are not really enjoying the rainy weather today. They still have little fleece after shearing and so can be seen running to shelter when the heavy showers start.
With fewer alpacas the grass is not being grazed so heavily which is good in that they always have fresh grass, but means that in order to fight the buttercups and other unwanted weeds we have to top the fields from time to time. Not possible in the rain!
Saturday, 21 May 2016
Friday, 13 May 2016
Back to Normal at Laurel Farm
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Well it is ages since I have blogged but Mike is now pretty much back to his old self and the skies are blue and the sun is out.
We have simplified the farm by removing and not replacing a lot of rotting fences and as we have downsized the herd it all looks a lot more open.
Although we only have twenty alpacas now, we are expecting five cria between now and July. We will be selling off some more of the older alpacas in an effort to keep the numbers down but still have a good quality young herd.
We have moved the farm shop into the barn as we no longer need it for animals and it is much more spacious and welcoming for visitors. We can still use it for storing hay and straw and of course the alpaca fleeces after shearing.
Colin, the shearer, came last Saturday and I now have about twenty bags of fleece to sort and grade ready to send to the mill for spinning. We now sell into a co-operative and buy back what yarn we want for our hand knits or to sell.as yarn.
Charlie and Dolly, the dogs that I still compete with in agility are doing well. Dolly had a win at her last show and so has gone up a grade.
Mike is enjoying the company of fellow enthusiasts in a local club that he has joined. Now that he is in good health again he is feeling much more like getting out and about.
Tuesday, 22 September 2015
Exploring
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When we first came down to Devon we started to explore the area but soon got bogged down with setting up the alpaca herd, getting to grips with reclaiming the jungle that used to be Laurel Farm, and, sadly, looking after my Mum in her final years.
We managed to get ourselves on to a self inflicted roundabout, which, although enjoyable, we are now ready to change.
Today we went to Seatown, which is on the way to Bridport. It is a stunning bay with wonderful views of Golden Cap.
We had a lovely walk along the beach, with a short break sitting on a big rock which presented itself just when we felt like sitting and watching the sea for a while.
On returning to the car park we visited the Anchor Inn which is a characterful pub at the site. We had a welcome cup of coffee and enjoyed the autumn sunshine for a while, vowing to return and treat ourselves to lunch from time to time.
www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
When we first came down to Devon we started to explore the area but soon got bogged down with setting up the alpaca herd, getting to grips with reclaiming the jungle that used to be Laurel Farm, and, sadly, looking after my Mum in her final years.
We managed to get ourselves on to a self inflicted roundabout, which, although enjoyable, we are now ready to change.
Today we went to Seatown, which is on the way to Bridport. It is a stunning bay with wonderful views of Golden Cap.
We had a lovely walk along the beach, with a short break sitting on a big rock which presented itself just when we felt like sitting and watching the sea for a while.
On returning to the car park we visited the Anchor Inn which is a characterful pub at the site. We had a welcome cup of coffee and enjoyed the autumn sunshine for a while, vowing to return and treat ourselves to lunch from time to time.
Monday, 14 September 2015
Farm Shop Re-opens
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We had a very successful day at Chardstock (our village) Street Fair last Saturday and we are re-opening our farm shop from now until Christmas. We shall probably close then until September as there really is little interest in "woollies" oveer the summer. It is lovely when families call in to look at the alpacas but it can be very time consuming, and of course, we have heard the questions that people ask many, many times.
At the Street Fair I used a FAQs sheet which was very useful, and the public seemed to find it helpful.
Had a good day at Blackdown Dog Agility Show on Sunday. Dolly had a 6th and a 9th and Charlie had a 2nd - his first trophy for a long time.
They could both have done better if I had been a bit clearer and quicker with my commands, but even so, I was very pleased. As it was a local show Mike came over for an hour or so in the afternoon and caught up with some old friends and enjoyed watching the dogs compete.
www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
We had a very successful day at Chardstock (our village) Street Fair last Saturday and we are re-opening our farm shop from now until Christmas. We shall probably close then until September as there really is little interest in "woollies" oveer the summer. It is lovely when families call in to look at the alpacas but it can be very time consuming, and of course, we have heard the questions that people ask many, many times.
At the Street Fair I used a FAQs sheet which was very useful, and the public seemed to find it helpful.
Had a good day at Blackdown Dog Agility Show on Sunday. Dolly had a 6th and a 9th and Charlie had a 2nd - his first trophy for a long time.
They could both have done better if I had been a bit clearer and quicker with my commands, but even so, I was very pleased. As it was a local show Mike came over for an hour or so in the afternoon and caught up with some old friends and enjoyed watching the dogs compete.
Monday, 24 August 2015
Garden in Crisis
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We have made a start on the garden at the back of the house. Mike designed the stone garden using rocks found on the farm. We are trying to create an attractive jungle with areas of more common plants.
I went to the garden centre yesterday armed with some vouchers we had been given as presents, one dating back to 2008, which luckily they accepted. I bought rockery plants to go behind and between the bamboo, whilst it is growing up, some herbs including Mint, Ladies Mantle, Lavender and Thyme and some Agapantha and Mombresia. Previously we went to a nursery called "Desert to Jungle" and bought Bamboo, Fatsia (not sure if that is how you spell it) and some other jungle plants. We will also be transplanting our Honeysuckle, Hydranger, and some other shrubs from the area which used to be the garden when we had behind the log cabin.
www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
We have made a start on the garden at the back of the house. Mike designed the stone garden using rocks found on the farm. We are trying to create an attractive jungle with areas of more common plants.
I went to the garden centre yesterday armed with some vouchers we had been given as presents, one dating back to 2008, which luckily they accepted. I bought rockery plants to go behind and between the bamboo, whilst it is growing up, some herbs including Mint, Ladies Mantle, Lavender and Thyme and some Agapantha and Mombresia. Previously we went to a nursery called "Desert to Jungle" and bought Bamboo, Fatsia (not sure if that is how you spell it) and some other jungle plants. We will also be transplanting our Honeysuckle, Hydranger, and some other shrubs from the area which used to be the garden when we had behind the log cabin.
Thursday, 13 August 2015
A day in the life of........
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Jax, my son's dog, is staying with us for a few weeks while the rest of the family are on holiday in their French holiday home. She is a retired working sheepdog (David used to have a small flock) and so when she comes here she likes to organise the alpacas. To start with she was moving them around so much that I decided to move them to a different paddock so that they were not disturbed.
They are now back free-ranging and Jax, for the most part, leaves them alone, but it seems she cannot resist the temptation to tidy them up at least once a day.
The cria are getting more independant day by day. The love taking the high ground of the earth mound outside the barn.
It is also a great suntrap for them.
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Jax, my son's dog, is staying with us for a few weeks while the rest of the family are on holiday in their French holiday home. She is a retired working sheepdog (David used to have a small flock) and so when she comes here she likes to organise the alpacas. To start with she was moving them around so much that I decided to move them to a different paddock so that they were not disturbed.
They are now back free-ranging and Jax, for the most part, leaves them alone, but it seems she cannot resist the temptation to tidy them up at least once a day.
Wednesday, 12 August 2015
Fleeced
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Mike is now on the waiting list for a double heart bypass and replacement mitral valve. He is glad in many ways as he is beginning to feel short of breath and tires easily.
I have sold the Gotland sheep and they have gone to two very good homes, I believe. Apart from cutting their toe nails, when I need someone to hold them, I can carry out most husbandry on the alpacas myself, whereas I needed help with the sheep.
I have 3 x 2k bags of fleece available to hand spinners at £18 per bag.. All our alpaca fleece has either been sold or gone to the mill for spinning.
www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
Mike is now on the waiting list for a double heart bypass and replacement mitral valve. He is glad in many ways as he is beginning to feel short of breath and tires easily.
I have sold the Gotland sheep and they have gone to two very good homes, I believe. Apart from cutting their toe nails, when I need someone to hold them, I can carry out most husbandry on the alpacas myself, whereas I needed help with the sheep.
I have 3 x 2k bags of fleece available to hand spinners at £18 per bag.. All our alpaca fleece has either been sold or gone to the mill for spinning.
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