AUTUMN JABS AND TRAINING DAYS

The whole herd have had their toenails trimmed and their Autumn wormer, and the crias have had their first dose of AD&E as now that the days are getting shorter, they need their liquid sunshine to prevent the possible onset of rickets. Next job is to book a visit from our scanner chap to confirm our pregnancies, I think from spit-offs we have around 25, but I like to be certain, a couple of the maidens don't seem to know what to do when approached by the big boys, I'm hoping they've all taken and when I know for sure I will be putting some on our sales list, reluctantly I hasten to add, but sadly I can't keep them all.

We're hosting a couple of Southern Alpaca Group (SAG) training days this month.  Vet Day on Saturday 5th October with Camelid Specialist Peter Aitken, who will talk us through parasites and skin problems, crias and nutrition and probably much more, it'll be a great chance for learning and for asking all those questions. Then on Saturday 19th October will be a  Fibre Day with Jean Field - everything you need to know on what to do with your fleeces from shearing to processing and how and where to market your products, and a chance to have a go at spinning and weaving.  We have places on both these days available, you don't have to be a Member of SAG, so if you'd like to come along then we'd be pleased to see you - give me call or drop me an email info@mvalpacas.co.uk

We had a few visitors today - an Alpaca Experience morning for Flora and her friends as her birthday treat, they all had a great time learning about the alpacas, getting involved in some husbandry tasks and leading Bond and Baylee through an agility course. This afternoon a lovely family came over who are thinking of getting some alpacas as field pets. (I rather suspect they might and here are some pics of the boys to tempt them further - how can they resist?!)

Touchwood - "Pick Me"!!

And my friends!

Jack Black & Touchwood

Agent

ROMSEY SHOW REPORT - WITH MATCH STICKS!

Is it just me, or are shows really tiring?!!! The match sticks are to prevent me closing my eyes right now...

Just now I was watching The Americas Cup on telly, I'm definitely not a sailor, I don't have the stomach for it, but I was glued, or thought I was, the Kiwis almost capsized and I'd missed it - I'd nodded off! How middle aged is that?

The Show was a great success, I think, well no complaints registered, perhaps I was asleep??? !! The day before, Friday 13th was not quite so straight forward however, mainly thanks to Ellis Transport company who didn't deliver the BAS hurdles on Thursday as arranged and confirmed! You are named and shamed! Nikki and I, had a fantastic team of volunteers to set up - Sue, Ray and Lisa, Andy and Sally and Keith - we would never have done it without them. A couple of other hitches, well a hitch but no electrics on the new car, and a power cut before bed, which meant finding show clothes and car keys by candlelight, all added to the stresses of the day.

I'm one of those people who can never sleep if I know I have to get up early, with my 5.30 alarm set I had a series of nightmares, including running out of diesel on the way to the show ... etc.

Thank heavens it was a dry dawn and stayed dry for the day, but for a little drizzle now and then.  Our team of Stewards Jay, Gary and Keith, did a great job, making the whole day run smoothly. Our Judge Nick Harrington Smith educated the audience and exhibitors alike with his oral reasoning. Congratulations to the Supreme Suri from Spring Farm Alpacas and Huacaya Hanley Hall Polaris.

With help from the exhibitors stacking their hurdles, for which we are extremely grateful, the marquee was soon empty again and we were driving off the show ground as the light began to fade.

Our own show team of 10 were all placed, with 2 Champions and 2 Reserve Champions and they are all back out in the field as if nothing had happened.

Now it's pouring with rain and windy and I'm going to watch or maybe sleep through Jane Austin..

 Intermediate Fawn Females - Melissa 3rd

Nick working his way through the Supreme line-up



A CATCH UP

I haven't done this for ages, a sign that I've had nothing to tell you that I thought you'd be interested in, been very lazy or been doing other stuff. Well all of the above apply.

My plans to tighten up our birthing season paid off this year and Rebecca and I went on a little holiday to Rhodes for a week, Peter stayed at home, he doesn't do holidays, very handy, meant all the animals and pot plants were looked after, bless him. I had forgotten just how beneficial a complete break away from everything was ... definitely to be repeated next year! Rhodes is lovely, my first visit. The weather was perfect, hot and sunny every day, lovely warm sea to swim in and those wonderful warm evenings that we just never get in the UK. We hired a car and explored the island - the old Town being the highlight, if you like ancient castles and little twisty lanes with cobble stones full of little shops to get lost in, then this is the place to go.

Ancient walls round old Rhodes

A very hot day for a climb to the top of the Acropolis,
 no we didn't ride on the donkeys!

Came home with seeds from this plant - no idea what it is but will
try my best to grow it!

Typical little lane in Rhodes - I think we were lost at this point!
All was fine on our return, we made the most of the last few lovely warm and sunny days of our summer with days out to the beach,  a toe in the sea here was was freezing!

So Rebecca back to school and time for Autumn jobs with the pacas. With our birthing season in mind for next year I had done all our breedings over a 4 week period finishing at the beginning of August. Time to do the last spit off and we have 25 rejecting, which is plenty for us. Most of them from our new Snowmass boys and a few from The Sorcerer.. can't wait to see the results ... roll on next June!

That done, the round of toenails, weighing crias and moving into new paddocks. Now some sad news.
Little Hunky Dory, the one with the splint on my last post, sadly passed away last week. Apart from his very crooked legs (the splint was actually working really well) and being very small, he had always had problems in the pooing department. I was regularly giving him enemas, as he always seemed constipated and I suspect that he wasn't quite right inside.

Last Saturday we had Alresford Show, our group of pet boys in our marquee were very popular as usual and we had a lot of serious enquiries from prospective purchasers.  I slipped away in the afternoon to go to the auction at the Classic which was fun and very interesting - this time I managed to sit on my hands!

This Saturday is the Romsey Show, and as at the moment I am keeping everything crossed for a dry day - the forecast can best be described as dodgy. We have over 100 entries and with Nick judging it promises to be a great day, whatever the weather. I will take some pics and report next week.

Sun setting so much earlier now

I love Autumn

Add caption
All was fine on our return, we made the most of the last few lovely warm and sunny days of our summer with days out to the beach,  a toe in the sea here was was freezing!

So Rebecca back to school and time for Autumn jobs with the pacas. With our birthing season in mind for next year I had done all our breedings over a 4 week period finishing at the beginning of August. Time to do the last spit off and we have 25 rejecting, which is plenty for us. Most of them from our new Snowmass boys and a few from The Sorcerer.. can't wait to see the results ... roll on next June!

That done, the round of toenails, weighing crias and moving into new paddocks. Now some sad news.
Little Hunky Dory, the one with the splint on my last post, sadly passed away last week. Apart from his very crooked legs (the splint was actually working really well) and being very small, he had always had problems in the pooing department. I was regularly giving him enemas, as he always seemed constipated and I suspect that he wasn't quite right inside.

Last Saturday we had Alresford Show, our group of pet boys in our marquee were very popular as usual and we had a lot of serious enquiries from prospective purchasers.  I slipped away in the afternoon to go to the auction at the Classic which was fun and very interesting - this time I managed to sit on my hands!

This Saturday is the Romsey Show, and as at the moment I am keeping everything crossed for a dry day - the forecast can best be described as dodgy. We have over 100 entries and with Nick judging it promises to be a great day, whatever the weather. I will take some pics and report next week.