Toad Hall Alpacas

Where did it go?

2011-12-24T13:51:00.001Z

The year that is - this time last year it was SO cold! Today the sun is shining as once again I play catch up.

The cake is now iced, the turkey and trimmings to hand so hopefully presents wrapped later.

Although I am very poor at actually doing a blog I really enjoy reading about the ups and downs of our 'Alpaca Friends' There have been many highs and lows for everyone and Thank you so much for sharing them.

As I watch the Alpacas they are queueing up to roll in a lovely mud bath - far from white now! but they do look very happy and healthy.

And on that note

may I wish EVERYONE a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS and a HEALTHY, if not wealthy NEW YEAR.

A New Addition

2011-11-02T18:08:00.001Z

A very overdue posting but not too much has been happening.

We do have a new four legged addition here - not an Alpaca, although called Nessie it is not a monster.

Thank you to Tabitha and Lucy we have the loan of a lovely pony for grand daughters Holly & Jessica.

Nessie met with Holly's approval immediately.

I have overcome the biggest hurdle I think I have ever had to encounter. My mother has Alzheimers and lived alone about twelve miles away so this year has been very stressful as her condition worsened. I suppose the best thing to be said about it is that on the whole she is very happy and has no idea she has the wrong day or time.

Anyway, she is now in care and her flat emptied and everything sorted. A big decision but I know that she is safe and in company. A few days away in Cornwall followed to celebrate a big birthday (suffice to say that at one time I would have been able to claim my Pension!) so we are now getting ready to face the awful winter they say we are going to get.

So much has been happening on various blogs - I have missed out a lot so it is taking me ages to catch up but I am thoroughly enjoying it.

Thank Goodness for Alpacas!!!

2011-09-06T12:09:00.000+01:00

A long overdue but very short blog. Unfortunately due to circumstances which are not farm related life has been extremely stressful over the last few months - BUT - there is now light at the end of the tunnel.

Decisions in life can be tough but when they are done with the best of intentions hopefully all will be well.

The thing that has kept us going is being able to sit and watch our lovely animals. Unfortunately fleeces haven't been sorted, fleece shows not entered, blogs not read or written but hopefully by October life should return to some sort of pattern.

So basically - no news, all is well with the Alpacas and life in general, just one or two hurdles to overcome.

Darby & Joan

2011-08-01T15:01:00.002+01:00

Darby and Joan is defined as "a happily married couple who lead a placid, uneventful life.
Well I suppose we are in a way but life is far from placid - it's just hectic.

I've just realised it is a month since I posted a blog and I have missed out on so many happenings on other breeders blogs - I do read them but say to myself I must go back and comment but the time has gone (again). It took me a long time to log in as I had forgotten my password!!!!!!!

The alpacas are well, our little Simba is not so little now and runs over for his milk and actually sucks the bottle properly which makes life much easier - unlike the haymaking.

Mowing went well, turning went well, baling went well - help organised for Friday night to get the bales in BUT the rain came on Friday morning. I was not available to help so Sid did what he could on his own before they got too wet but had to leave over 200 out as the rain got heavier. We both had a go yesterday when they had all dried out but it is not a job for Darby and Joan on their own and no help available. Hopefully all will be sorted today before the expected rain tonight.

The paddocks look like desserts as the alpacas look for any green areas left.

Garment sales have been good at the recent sales and whenever I attempt to update the web page I run out of stock - good to the products are appreciated. More knitting tonight and I really need to sort out the fleeces for showing.

Hopefully my computer will soon be more user friendly - it doesn't like tea spilt on it and makes things very difficult with unco-operative keys and a mouse!!!

Photos

2011-06-30T21:00:00.000+01:00

Well here are a couple of photos of our little boys as promised.

This is Toad Hall Simba in the dust bath

Here is Toad Hall Blue Ember with her latest offspring Toad Hall Timon

and not to be left out

Toad Hall Jolly Ruffo had to come and check out what was going on!

Three superb young males by Wellground Scriptwriter all with excellent genetics

Midsummer - ALREADY

2011-06-29T10:58:00.000+01:00

The longest day has come and gone, midsummers day the same. It doesn't seem that long ago we were struggling with the cold. However, the last few days certainly haven't been cold.

Toad Hall Simba, our poorly chap has been progressing slowly. Rosemary kindly sent me an usual teat which helped in a different sort of way - his reaction was 'I'm not sure I like this, I'll give it a go but I will try harder if you give me the other one back!!' We have now reverted to the 'normal' teat and he seems quite happy.

There is supposed to be a photo here - however the camera has gone walkabout with Sid so I will be back later.

Yesterday as morning dawned I looked out in the most horrendous downpour to see 'Toad Hall Blue Ember' out in the field - the other girls were all sensibly in the shelter. This is unsual for Blue so I watched and within minutes she produced a healthy little boy. Waterproofs on and off we go to get them in the dry - Blue is very, very protective and did not welcome the interference but we put them in the adjoining shelter, produced the necessary spray and left them alone. She has not let us near enough to weigh him yet. He was up and feeding in a very short time and spent the day in the sunshine. We have named him 'Toad Hall Timon' Timon is greek for 'respect' and he does stand out with his mum looking around and obviously knows he is something special as well as the name linking in with the name Simba .

Problems with Internet

2011-06-13T11:39:00.000+01:00

We are still here but our internet connection has been exceedingly slow. The phone line was out for a week although we had very, very slow internet. Hopefully both of those problems now seem to be improving.

Unfortunately I have had problems with 'Blogger'. I have called it other names but they are not printable. I read that others have had the same problem and I kept trying different things and hooray I thought I had cracked it - for all of ten minutes as we were then back to being unable comment, unable to blog or upload photos.

At the moment it is being kind to me so just to let you know that our little chap is growing steadily. He lost quite a bit of weight but hopefully has now turned the corner. He looks well and at last is playing and pronking about. Unfortunately he still won't suck the bottle, he lets his mouth fill with milk and then swallows and the vet does say that he really should suck to enable the milk to do the most good. However no matter how small a teat hole we use he just stands and lets his mouth fill so we are just grateful that he does get the milk. I have decided to call him 'Simba' as he is now fighting back like a little Lion!

Hopefully some pictures next time (whenever Blogger will let me)

Welcome Rain

2011-06-02T14:49:00.000+01:00

Last Thursday we had downpours and again on Monday - both of which were very welcome. It has been dry for weeks, our little brook that runs alongside the property is almost dry and down to a trickle.
Although Monday's rain was very welcome the timing was not - Monday was shearing day. Sam, Shannon & Jason from Shearco arrived wondering what was in store but they didn't know that the barn had been put up and all the animals were nice and dry as they had been shut in overnight - thank goodness. I did feel sorry for the alpacas though when they were sent out without their coats on afterwards but they didn't seem to mind.

Our new cria (still not named) is not thriving. We had hoped as Debbie and Hilary mentioned that Gem might accept him in the end. Unfortunately she hasn't. He has gained weight but is definitely under par. Yesterday he had a plasma transplant and hopefully he will perk up soon. It seems that despite having colostrum from Gem and also giving him some by bottle feeding it he has 'rattle belly'. At birth he sucked well but now doesn't make much effort. Hopefully after all his medication he will respond as he is a super chap.

The blue tits in the box with the camera are growing well, 6 hatched out of the 7 eggs but unfortunately 1 is dead in the nest now. Hopefully the rest will survive.

It happens in Three's

2011-05-22T20:03:00.000+01:00

Busy, busy, busy.

Firstly the pheasant eggs hatched and off went mum with her chicks (Sorry no pics)

Then the blue tit eggs hatched.

Not the best of pictures but this is when the eggs started to hatch, in the end six of the seven eggs hatched and both parents are looking after them well.

Unlike our next birth,

This is our first cria of 2011 - a very, healthy and strong male from Toad Hall Ice Gem.

Gem had looked uncomfortable for days and when checking at 5am on Friday morning it was obvious she was in labour but having problems. The weather was atrocious but there was no choice but to intervene.

With much assistance from Sid she gave birth to this lovely, very big cria. He weighed in at 10.4kg. Luckily he was fit and healthy and Gem soon seemed to recover from her ordeal and before too long he was able to have that first vital feed of colostrum.

However, that is where Gem's participation ended. She has totally rejected him. We have put them in a small pen of their own by the other animals in the hope that she would accept him. Unfortunately every time he goes for a feed she goes down. We have tried encouraging her, lifting her (which is exhuasting) but there is no way she will let him at the valuable milk supply. Luckily he is a superb bottle feeder, so Sid and I are bleary eyed as we take it in turns to feed him round the clock.

So much for day time births in fine weather - it seems many breeders have had early and late births this year, just goes to show there is no text book birth!!!

Springwatch

2011-05-08T20:44:00.001+01:00

At last we have had some rain - nice steady rain that will soak in. Hopefully it will be kind and not go on for days (Never satisfied!)

All the alpacas are well and looking forward to being sheared at the end of the month I suspect. No cria yet, hopefully we won't have to wait too long.

Nature is wonderful and there is an array of wildlife here, for the last six years we have had a bird box with camera in it. Blue tits and great tits have overwintered in it but there has never been a summer nest - until now that is.
One week the box still had the winter nest in it, the following week nothing -

then

for the first time we have a blue tit and her eggs. Hopefully all will turn out well and I will post some pictures of the chicks in a couple of weeks.

The monitor has three cameras attached, security camera, the nest box camera and the cria care camera. Hopefully we won't need to use the cria care this time and they will arrive in good weather and fit and healthy!

Others have been making the most of the wonderful weather.

This was the view from our window and we thought the balloon was going to land in one of the paddocks however he must have spotted the electric wires and gained a few feet to go over the trees and land in the adjoining field.

Behind the Times

2011-04-22T09:52:00.000+01:00

Well once again it is nearly a month since I did a blog, but lots is happening albeit mainly routine.

I attended the first meeting of the new Central region this week which was held at Wychbold. The meeting was well attended and it looks hopeful for an exciting future. It was great to meet other breeders and then find out that they are in fact quite close. Well done to those who initiated the group and put in all the hard work.

The weather is glorious, however (there is always a 'but' so I will use a different word!!!) we missed all the rain recently. It seemed to circle around us. At the time we thought great, now everything and everyone is desperate for some rain - hopefully it won't all come at once and will wait until after the Bank Holiday weekend and before the Royal Wedding.
There is blossom everywhere and last night we were treated to Cuckoo song.

The Alpacas are well - I think the girls in particular are looking forward to being shorn at the end of May. Our first cria is due at the end of this month. That will be from 'Toad Hall Ice Gem' who was our first born here at Toad Hall. She produced a lovely male by EP Cambridge Samson last time, Gem is by Cambridge Ice Cool Lad and has wonderful dense fleece.

We have decided to add Gem's offspring, Toad Hall Storm to our sales list together with Toad Hall Sunrise as we have 'Wellground Scriptwriter' as our stud male and 'Toad Hall King of Diamonds' will be working soon.
Toad Hall Storm, Toad Hall Sunrise and Toad Hall Cool Troy are all from excellent blood lines and will be an asset to any herd.

Toad Hall Storm enjoying the grass before it gets too hot

Toad Hall Cool Troy just has to see whats going on

Toad Hall King of Diamonds takes a cursory look

Thankful

2011-03-20T17:39:00.000Z

Thankful for a lot of things but especially for the part of the world we live in. The disater in Japan, fighting in Libya and general shortcomings around the world make us realise how lucky we are. Indeed we are very fortunate in this part of the country as we seem to have been very fortunate with the weather whereas other parts of the country have snow, wind or rain. This week has been beautiful, those of you who have watched the horse racing from Cheltenham on the television will be aware that the weather in this area has been gorgeous. A time when you look across the paddocks and wonder is that alpaca alright - of course it is - just sunbathing.

We have been making the most of it and hoping it is not the calm before the storm.

When the paddock duties were finished for today it was time to have a go at the flower border followed by a well earned cup of tea.

Phew!!

2011-03-07T17:48:00.001Z

Another busy few days. The week was mainly overcast and cold but we have had a lovely weekend - cold nights and a glorious couple of days. The alpacas certainly look content.

This weekend we had a visit from Helen & Dave who brought a lovely young female to visit 'Wellground Scriptwriter'. They were very quick to take advantage of our special 'Mad March offer' of reduced priced mating. Scriptwriter looked very pleased with himself today.

Wellground Scriptwriter - he is scheduled for a bonnet trim this week.

Helen & Dave also took away their new purchase - 'Toad Hall Britannia' is joining their growing herd. Despite Britannia's difficult start in life she looks well and has a lovely fleece, I know she will be well looked after.

Unfortunately I didn't have the camera to hand when Britannia left but here is our gorgeous Toad Hall Jolly Ruffo who is a superb youngster.

All is well with the world

2011-02-24T11:31:00.001Z

Well for the moment that is.The sun is shinning, the grass is growing, the snowdrops and crocus are out but most important of all - the animals are all well.

This is 'Toad Hall King of Diamonds',

Known as Barnaby at home, he will be coming in to work this year and I think he will produce some stunning offspring.

This is 'Toad Hall Cool Troy'

Troy is on our 'for sale' list. He is the same age as Barnaby and is therefore also ready to start work this year so unfortunately we could not keep both. Troy is by Ice Cool Lad and has a lovely bright fleece.

Today is special as we have a family get together and the children are coming to lunch. Last week I had an unexpected stay in the cardiology ward at Worcester Royal Hospital and following an angiogram was given the all clear to go home last weekend. So an easy week and a catch up with everyone today - Antony has just rung to say he has made a chocolate cake filled with cream - all that cholesterol!!! Never Mind.

Shame

2011-02-13T13:24:00.000Z

It's a shame but the weather forecast was right - today heavy rain and winds. I had hoped that after the glorious weather we had for the last few days it might continue for 1 more day.

It has been great for all those outdoor jobs and I had hoped to take the camera out today and capture some nice clean alpacas - but we don't have any clean ones now!!!

Sid has done more chain harrowing and put the road brush on the back of the tractor to clean the lane which had suffered recently due it flooding a few weeks ago leaving mud and debris on the road.

We had help on Friday to feed the animals - not sure Sid thought it was help though. Holly and Jessica were here for the day while Mum had to go on a course for her work.

Pete came back in the week and loaded up his trailer with Ambrose, Prince & Ben who have now gone to their new home in Milton Keynes.

Calm at last

2011-02-08T09:21:00.000Z

I'm very glad to say that the awful wind of the last week has at last subsided. It seems so quiet now, a very frosty and foggy morning but the sun is peeping through.

We were very fortunate and although we had the raging wind - no rain. The ground is amazingly dry so Mr Toad took the opportunity at the weekend to get out the little red ferrari (a very old basic red tractor to you and me!) and chain harrow some of the paddocks. He had to hang onto the steering wheel though because of the wind - his tractor does not have a 'house' on it like my little green goddess, problem is my green goddess is sick and the mechanic is too busy to repair it!!!!!

Welcome visitors at the weekend were Pete and Steve who braved the winds for a wander among the alpacas, we look forward to seeing Pete again later in the week.

Scriptwriter is looking across at the girls and hoping for a visit, unfortunately it will only be for spit offs at the moment to check how pregnancies are going.

Still here

2011-01-30T11:20:00.001Z

Sorry blogs are few and far between, but all is well.

The alpacas are well and ..... dirty!!!!

It seems strange to think of all that lovely white fleece they produce when they have been shorn looking at them now. Mike Banks rang this week to confirm shearing again this year, we were very pleased with Sam and Shannon who he sent to us last year - even though Mike is very slow on actually confirming that he is coming on the date that was booked months in advance, but a superb job done.

They have all had a good check over and vaccinations are all up to date - We have two males who are now reaching maturity - Toad Hall Cool Troy and Toad Hall King of Diamonds. Both superb white males who will make excellent herd sires. We also have Wellground Scriptwriter so unfortunately one has to be sold. We have decided to part with Troy who is by champion 'Cambridge Ice Cool Lad'. He has a lovely character and a brilliant white fleece so he has been added to our for sale list with our wethers. He will make a superb addition to any herd.

What a chore today - the Great British Bird Watch - I have to give up 1 hour to sit and count the birds - can I cope I ask myself. There are three feeding stations around the house, which are all full so in between sewing buttons on our latest garments knitted by June I am recording the different birds. Unfortunately not so many thrushes or wrens this year, they really suffered in the cold weather, we also found a barn owl who succumbed to the cold.

Resolutions?????

2010-12-31T21:29:00.000Z

I am not one for making New Year Resolutions - however - I really, really promise not to moan when it gets too HOT (well not much anyway). This cold spell will stay in my mind for a long time, several nights with temperatures down to minus 18/19 and days with a maximum of minus 12 took its toll. As well as the River Severn freezing our central heating did too!! The log burner warms the whole house so all internal doors are open and the central heating comes on at night when the fire goes out - well usually it does. Overnight last Saturday the bedroom radiator froze and didn't we know it. Thankfully the thaw arrived on Monday and all was resolved very easily.

The thaw came too early for son Matthew who went off to Snowdonia on Christmas Day with his tent to do a weeks climbing which had to be abandoned on Monday as it was not safe.

The Alpacas are well and enjoying the sight of the grass again which was very nice as we had a lovely couple visit yesterday who are thinking of owning a couple of these special animals. We look forward to their next visit.

Thank you to everyone who does a blog - they are a great source of information and also fun. We all have our ups and downs and sharing each others knowledge, dreams and aspirations always puts life into perspective, and Thank You to everyone who reads this blog - it is a pleasure to share our Alpaca Adventure.

So enjoy this evening, whether you are going to a party with friends, spending time with your family or celebrating with a loved one and look forward to the year ahead.

Best Wishes for 2011

On the Mend

2010-12-21T17:01:00.000Z

Unfortunately I have had pneumonia so Christmas preparations came to a standstill, however things are now looking up so Christmas will hopefully happen this weekend, albeit quietly.

We are in the same position as most people, freezing temperatures, lots of snow and bad roads. Last weekend temperatures went down to -19 overnight and 'rose' to -10 degrees in the day. I am fortunate in that I have remained inside in the warm and Sid has faced the challenges - admirably.

The Alpacas look well and as soon as the hay is delivered they are there before it is in the feeders.

The dogs haven't ventured too far

Meanwhile the birds enjoy the Christmas tree in the Day time and we do at night.

Lastly, a picture taken many years of Lisa's first pony who died recently aged 40 years. Magpie was a gem and well known locally. She gave many children enormous pleasure.

Thank you to the many people who have sent us Christmas wishes, unfortunately not all cards have been sent or presents bought but nevertheless

WE WISH YOU THE VERY BEST CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY, HEALTHY 2011

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect." (Oren Arnold)

Cold - but better than most

2010-12-05T19:23:00.002Z

We seemed to have been very fortunate and missed most of the terrible weather that has swept the country. Our thoughts are with those who are having so much difficulty doing the everyday tasks.

Last Sunday we woke to a very hard frost of -11 degrees which didn't improve much throughout the day. We only had about an inch of snow in the week, it's been cold and we have had to take water to the animals as the water troughs are all frozen and of course extra feed is needed by all. Today started at -7 degrees and stayed below freezing all day, even though the sun was lovely and bright.

Wellground Scriptwriter looking through the fence at Toad Hall Blue Ember and Toad Hall Skye Blue.

Skye Blue is the eldest of our three cria born this year, Brittania is doing well and still being bottle fed as Cambridge Bluebell has very little milk and as for Jolly Ruffo -- Well!!! He is a just so - different!!! He looks wonderful and he is very entertaining - he loves he snow and frost and thinks all the others should too.

Knitwear sales have soared and we have met some lovely people recently who have come to purchase some of our home produced garments. June's knitting needles are red hot in her race to keep up with demand.

The birds have moved towards the house even more as they know there is a ready supply of food here as the feeders are kept well stocked. The buzzard and sparrow hawk are now a bit close for the goldfinches and tits comfort but no easy meals for them from the garden yet I am glad to say.

Pheasants seemed to have moved in despite trying to send them on their way (or they'll go in the pot!).

Quiet Blog - Busy Time

2010-11-02T16:21:00.001Z

Well October came and went and I never made it to the blog. Life has been pretty hectic at Toad Hall since our last post.

Things didn't go according to plan for daughter Lisa following the birth of Jessica as she had a return spell in hospital so grand parenting duties to the fore but she is improving now so hopefully she will be fighting fit before too long.

My email address was hacked into and my password changed so lots of hassle to sort that out and the hard drive on the computer crashed so eventually I got round to sorting that out.

Anyway enough of woe - others have more to cope with, the alpacas are all fit and well. Jolly Ruffo is certainly a lively lad, a credit to 'Wellground Scriptwriter' - I think all the other alpacas wonder what has hit them. He is growing into a superb young chap - some photos of the animals next time. They have all been injected, body scored, nails trimmed and bonnets coiffured! Paddocks topped and edges strimmed - phew just more poovering to do.

Sid has managed a few hours on the barn - he has improvised instead of getting a lift to enable him to put up more of the roof!!!!

Start by parking the lorry underneath where the steel is required and lean the steel against the lorry.

Up the ladder and hoist up the steel

Walk along the lorry with required piece

Fix in place as required - easy really.

He says he takes Health & Safety seariously but wearing a fluorescent vest wouldn't be very beneficial - after all you do wear vests underneath your shirt don't you!!!!

Enough said!!

Its Official - Hes a Number 1

2010-09-19T20:58:00.000+01:00

Well I said that the GWR fleece was the place to be - unfortunately we were too late arriving to witness the opening of the envelope that said 'Wellground Scriptwriter - 1st place'

It was truly wonderful to pick up our 1st place without the stress to Scriptwriter and for such an experienced judge to credit him with 1st place.

We did try to get him to model the rosette but he was still a bit excited today after his visit to 'Cambridge Bluebell'.

The concept of the show is great - the opportunity to see and hear the judge and to look at staple of the winning fleece was ideal. Hopefully the BAS will take note.

Another little star met her new sister - and greeted her in the best way possible

The Day Holly met Jessica

An Unexpected Arrival

2010-09-16T18:05:00.000+01:00

No not a cria, but we are waiting and hoping that Hope is about to give birth but it is now looking doubtful even though she has repeatedly rejected Scriptwriter. We are very pleased that Jessica Rose, our second grandchild and sister for Holly made her debut yesterday - unexpected as the due date was October 13th!!

Holly has been here with Nanny and Grampy for the past few days as Lisa had to go into hospital on Sunday, hopefully we will still make it to the GWR show on Saturday as we think it will definetly be the show of the year.

Our three cria are all progressing wonderfully well and it would be lovely if Hope did actually produce as expected.

Toad Hall Jolly Ruffo

2010-09-10T17:51:00.001+01:00

Our new addition is most definitely the best cria we have ever produced - he is superb.

We have decided to call him Toad Hall Jolly Ruffo - which started out as him being called a ruffian because he is into everything, very nosey and introducing himself to all the other alpacas whether they wanted to meet him or not.

Wellground Scriptwriter (the new daddy) has both Jolimont Commisario and Jolimont Arsenia together with NWA Ruffo and the Hermitage Lady Ruffo in his bloodlines so we decided to take a bit of both names

Toad Hall Brittania seems quite pleased to have company that is smaller than herself

A Welcome Surprise

2010-09-06T20:23:00.000+01:00

Our new arrival is absolutely stunning. Sid had not told me one important aspect of this lovely little chap - he is a superb light fawn, a lovely surprise.

Cambridge Princess is registered as a mid fawn but looks slightly off white but her parents were mid fawn and dark fawn. He weighed in at 8kg and has fed well today. The rain held off until 6pm and then we had to shut them in which did not please Princess very much but she has settled now in her shelter together with Bluebell and Tania. Scriptwriter has done us proud.

HE'S A DADDY - AT LAST

2010-09-06T10:01:00.000+01:00

Cambridge Princess has just given birth to a fine male cria by our very own 'Wellground Scriptwriter'.
All weekend she has been up and down and yesterday we were due to go to grand daughter Holly's Christening but we had to go in shifts as birthing looked imminent but Princess waited until today when at least it is a bit drier (at the moment).

I am at work so no photos until this evening as Sid is 'home alone' so to speak.

Technology Restored

2010-08-26T17:11:00.000+01:00

Thank goodness - we have phone and Internet, hopefully I haven't put a jink on it now.

We have been very lucky regarding the weather, until yesterday that is. At lunchtime it started to rain and rain and rain on through the night but today has been dry but dreary - very autumnal.

Anyway, let me make an introduction. This is Toad Hall Britannia.

Formerly known as Lady Red, or socks, or boots or little one. She is now a month old and only wearing one splint. We have called her Britannia (Tania for short) as she has had a variety of red, white and blue leg coverings.

She only wears one splint now as the right foot is flat on the ground and the left one is not far behind. Hopefully the excellent progress she has made will continue.

Down but Not Out

2010-08-23T10:42:00.001+01:00

Unfortunately we have not had a phone line since last Thursday, it just rang and rang at the exchange but not the house!!!! Everyone thought we were out (no chance!!). The phone is now rectified but no internet - hence a visit to borrow a working internet line to let the world know we are all progressing well and hopefully will be back soon.

Slowly but Surely

2010-08-11T12:32:00.000+01:00

Our latest arrival continues to improve - we haven't given her a proper name yet, just in case. She gets called various things, Red, Lady, Socks and Boots but hopefully if she continues to progress next week she will have a proper name.

This photo was taken on Day One

Her legs are now almost straight and she is on tip toe instead of the joint.

This photo was taken on Day 12

She is now two weeks old and growing well. There is 'give' in the foot now to start to bring it forward but we know that it will be a long haul. She has a lot of strength to build up in her legs before she is in the clear.

But when wearing her splints she stands tall and proud

Hopeful

2010-08-02T12:05:00.000+01:00

Our Lady in Red is growing well, gaining half a kilo a day. We are bottle feeding - Bluebell has never had enough milk to feed her cria in the past and we thought this might be due to the traumatic births she endured but this time we don't know as the birth was fairly straightforward but it could be because Red can't stand long enough or because she hasn't got enough milk, but it is not a problem - the teat is eagerly taken and what is wanted is consumed with gusto and then she immediately goes and sucks on Bluebell so she has the best of both worlds and Bluebell is content too.

We are flexing the feet as often as we can and are waiting to hear back from various vet hospitals about splints or tendon re aligning. This has to happen quickly now as she is growing and there is the problem of bone deformity if something is not done soon - and then we may have to make a very unpleasant decision.

As you can see from the pictures we have moved Blue & Skye into the same paddock. Bluebell was getting quite stressed about us picking up her baby so often but has relaxed now she has more company. Skye too is enjoying investigating the new arrival and cannot understand why she does not follow her round on her bronking sessions but they do walk around together a little.

She looks perfect in this position - if only!!!!!

At least the problem is not genetic. I must thank everyone for their e mails etc., especially from America and Australia where they have encountered this problem before and things have turned out well in the end. So everything crossed.

Mixed Blessings

2010-07-27T21:50:00.000+01:00

The good news is that today Bluebell produced a beautiful solid white girl, almost by herself. Just before 10.30 this morning there was a head visible but no legs. Sid scrubbed up and we went to her assistance, the cria's legs were pulled out and she was delivered all OK. The first straightforward birth for Bluebell. The sire, Bozedown Flurry is owned by some friends at Grovesnor Alpacas.

Unfortunately the bad news is that our 'Lady Red' has deformed feet. The flexor tendon on both front feet is too tight meaning that the feet are tucked right up. Survival looked very bleak at the start as she couldn't stand and seemed very weak. We gave her glucose through a syringe and before long she had been very adaptive and standing on the joint. We had put them in the shelter but she managed to make her way outside. If you look closely at the picture you can she how the feet are turned backwards. We gave her colostrum as she couldn't really stand for too long and we needed to give her the best start - no problems that was gone in a flash, no trouble with sucking.

The vet came and showed us how to give physio to stretch the tendon. We must do this as often as we can but the vet is hopeful that the problem can be corrected but it will take time. She certainly is doing her best as she can now stand and feed from Bluebell and follows her around the paddock.

You can see from the picture why she is called Lady Red. The vet has bandaged the legs and padded the joint to protect it or that will be at risk of infection and put the feet as far forward as they will go.

They are now shut in the shelter with the infra red light on and we can watch them via the monitor in the house but hopefully she will continue to gain strength and we will continue to stretch the tendon so she has a good chance of pulling through.

Old and the New

2010-07-18T19:20:00.000+01:00

As usual life has been very busy at Toad Hall. Our neighbouring farmer was installing a new water supply so we seized the opportunity to upgrade ours. We are a long way from the water mains at the end of the road so a digger and driver had to be hired to do the long stretch.

The moling man then had to come to bring the pipe under the lane and Sid and our mini digger had to do the last stretch - where the old meets the new. Now all ready to be connected up and hopefully we will have better pressure.

The Alpacas are all well and very contented. This is a picture of 'Bluebell' who is now in the 'birthing window' so hopefully we will have a healthy cria before too long, together with a normal birth - which would be a first for 'Bluebell'.

Skye continues to grow well and give the older animals the run around. At the moment she is fairly white, we haven't had much rain but when we have she has delighted in having a mud bath.

Scriptwriter's Birthday

2010-07-04T17:34:00.001+01:00

We are very pleased to have received our sample results from Yocom-McColl Testing Laboratories. Five samples were sent for testing and we are very pleased with all of them.

Wellground Scriptwriter (our resident Stud):
Mean 20.1; SD 4.2; CV 20.9 (3rd fleece)

Sample taken at 2 years 10 months.

Unfortunately the photograph does not really show how good it is.

His sire is EP Cambridge Commish Lad who was sired by Jolimont commisario and his Dam is The Hermitage Lady Ruffo of Cambridge who was sired by NWA Ltd Ruffo. An excellent pedigree.

Scriptwriter's Stud Services are only being offered to selected breeders who, like ourselves are taking the risk of TB in Alpacas seriously and are keeping Biosecurity at the forefront of their business.

So today we wish him a very happy birthday and gave him a few extra grains of Camelibra to celebrate!!!!

We are also very pleased with Toad Hall King of Diamonds who is almost 2years old:
Mean 20.5 SD 4.3 CV 21.0 Known as 'Barnaby' at home he is a good future herd sire as is

Toad Hall Cool Troy: Mean 17.6 SD 4.0 CV 23.0 who is also almost 2 years old.

The other samples that we sent off were from our cria born last year and these are very similiar to Barnaby and Troy.

Hiccup has now been on different antibiotics for 2 weeks and seems to be moving around more and generally socialising with the others more - hopefully this will continue. We have now bought a bale of Alfalfa with Lucerne to give her as well as the camelibra and oats in the hope we can get her to gain weight. Any other ideas?

All Safely Gathered In

2010-06-28T19:55:00.000+01:00

Too busy this week to do any work on the new barn or on the house. Sid cut the grass on Tuesday and has turned it and spread it over the week. Saturday was time for rowing up before the contractor arrived for baling.

The contractor arrived on Saturday afternoon and we ended up with 230 small bales of lovely sweet smelling hay

With the forecast so good we decided to leave the hauling until Sunday when help was summoned so that all was safely gathered in.

We finished the week with a relaxing barbecue and Holly cooling off in her paddling pool

Time Flies

2010-06-18T18:00:00.001+01:00

Well its two weeks since I managed to update the blog.
Our little cria, who was born two weeks ago today is a stunner. We have called her Toad Hall Skye Blue - her dam is Toad Hall Blue Ember who is by Wellground Imber and her sire is Cambridge Buckingham - a wonderful combination. Blue was our second cria born here at Toad Hall and after a diffult birth was bottle reared. She is a superb mother - if she thinks you are a threat to her little one you are quickly covered in green spit!!!!!!!

Hiccup continues to give us cause for concern. She seemed to be making a slow but sure improvement but she is now back to square one. Her knee and elbow joints fill with fluid which makes movement very difficult. Unfortunately blood and fluid samples have not thrown any light on the cause of the problem so various anti flammatories have been used. Hopefully we will get an answer soon from somewhere. Any suggestions gratefully received.

Our next cria will be from Cambridge Bluebell (Blue's mother) who is due in July but her previous two pregnancies were three weeks over the expected date and we had to bottle feed both of her cria. Very stressful as we didn't actually live here then so sleeping in a shed on a mattress was not the most pleasant way to spend the night!!!
We did not breed from her last year in the hope that it would give her system time to rest after two difficult births, hopefully things will be more straightforward this year.

In the meantime we will enjoy watching Toad Hall Skye Blue exploring her surroundings.

Surprise, Surprise

2010-06-04T21:06:00.000+01:00

Today has been a glorious day, not only because of the lovely sunshine but also our surprise package which was delivered while we were both out this afternoon. When I arrived home about 5.15pm I looked out at the animals, good all is well, all accounted for. Then I went through to another room and looked out again and there behind the adults and much to my surprise was a wobbly cria. Across the paddock I went to see that Toad Hall Blue Ember had given birth to a solid white female during our absence.

Blue's pregnancy was rather hit and miss. Last year she was mated to Cambridge Buckingham three times, did not give a definite spit off test so she was scanned to make sure but on two occasions this was given as negative.

When we went to mate her to Scriptwriter she was very indecisive so that was abandoned. In March she was behaving very strangely so the vet was called - a scan this time was positive. So going by her last mating date she was 326 days today, we hadn't expected an arrival for a couple of weeks.

Job VERY well done

2010-05-28T18:50:00.000+01:00

After our mild panic that our shearers might not be coming on Tuesday as we hadn't heard from them for some months it all went very smoothly - and quickly.

Sam and Shannon arrived and immediately got to work. We had the Alpacas all close by on a one way system. We started with 'Toad Hall Blue Ember' whose cria is due in a few weeks, she screamed all the time but was up and out very quickly. The others were much quieter. They were very considerate with 'Atlantic Hiccup' as she had been so poorly with her joint problem and she was able to get up and move away with no after effects. My bag system worked very well, and as Barbara pointed out I needed a MUCH bigger bag for Scriptwriter's fleece - there was lots of lovely, dense fleece. Job done and lunch taken all in under three hours.

I must say that we are very pleased with the way all the animals look, they are so much happier too. 'Scriptwriter' seems to be revitalised - he went bronking around and running up and down the fence, obviously ready to start work again.

This is 'Wellground Scriptwriter' looking across at the ladies this evening

with 'Toad Hall Storm' watching him.

'Atlantic Hope' and 'Toad Hall Ice Gem' quite relaxed and enjoying the grass.

' Toad Hall Ice Lolly' watching the topping in the paddock next to her.

'Toad Hall Ice Gem' and 'Toad Hall Ice Lolly' both have a meeting with 'Wellground Scriptwriter' this weekend.

Now to get the fleeces sorted for the GWR show.

Thank Goodness its Shearing Time

2010-05-24T18:32:00.002+01:00

Tomorrow we will be shearing our herd - well when I say we I actually mean Mike Banks' team. A slight concern crept in this afternoon as we had not heard from Mike since the initial booking just after Christmas but thanks to Jeff & Sheila at Easter Wood who gave me his phone number we were able to confirm all systems go. The shearing coincides with an expected drop in the temperatures this week but I don't think the Alpacas will mind.

They are very heavily fleeced and the boys came up to me as if to say

'Get it Sorted!'

Scriptwriter has spent most of the time lying in the shade or drinking. His fleece is very dense. At least he has an interview with the ladies lined up at the weekend, it had to wait until his coat was removed for his own good.

The fleece bags lined up ready for tomorrow, let's hope I put the right quality in the right bag!!!

Lastly, not Alpaca related but one to make you smile -

Grand daughter Holly enjoying some of her Dad's birthday cake!

Did you guess that it was Chocolate Cake by any chance!!!!!!!!!!!!

New Web Site done AT LAST

2010-05-15T18:53:00.003+01:00

At long last I have been able to photograph the knitted garments, get them modelled (one very dubious model!!! but none the less I am very grateful), photographed and uploaded to the web site. It does help when the sun shines - everything seems to be a little bit easier.

Today has been a lovely day but the Alpacas look very hot. I spent a lovely day at Wellground to watch their set up which was very streamlined and efficient and Colin Ottery did a fantastic job. We will be shearing in a couple of weeks but still have work to do on the shearing area.

This year we will do the shearing in the old hay barn because that has a roof on it and we have to cater for the typical British weather.

The concreting of the floor of the Alpaca barn has now been completed so hopefully we will be able to start building it in the near future - however we also have another field shelter to build before 'Blue Ember' gives birth next month. Plenty to do.

Hiccup is making steady progress and mixing more with the other females now so fingers crossed that the worst is over - really glad we had not re mated her. We made the decision to leave her empty this year as she fed two cria last year so needed some time to herself.

The grass is growing but so are the buttercups and thistles - more paddock maintenance to do.

A Busy Time

2010-05-07T18:08:00.002+01:00

As the weather has been mainly dry we have continued with the floor of the Alpaca barn, concreting a bay at a time. Our local supplier mixes on site so you only get what you need and not too much to cope with at one time.

Another load done for today - back again on Saturday.
I thought I would share the view from our bedroom window with you - fancy having to wake up to this every day, what a sacrifice!!!!!!!!

Meanwhile, Hiccup has improved a great deal. She still lies with her legs out to the side but also has managed to 'cush' on occasions. Hopefully she is over the worst - glad we decided to give her a pregnancy free year as she has always been a superb mother to her cria and last year also took on another.

And so the work goes on ..and on..

2010-04-29T20:35:00.000+01:00

The work on the alpaca barn has continued whilst we have had such good weather. Firstly we have decided to concrete the floor of the old hay barn. This has to be done fairly quickly as it is our shearing area so will be needed before long.

Friend Ben was summoned to use his exceptional digger skills to do the ground works.

Then it was the turn of the 'elf and safety expert to lend a hand checking the levels under the supervision of the boss !!!!!!!!

More stone brought in by the toad himself!!

Now it is the turn of 'whacker plate' to finish it off before the concrete arrives.

First load of concrete installed.

Our original intention was to put the roof on first but as the weather has been so good the decision to get the ground levelled and concreted has paid off. Lots more hard work to go but the benefits will be enormous.

The grass is growing slowly, we moved the boys onto fresh pasture and they certainly showed their approval. 'Hiccup' our matriarch has been under the weather. She developed a lameness we have not been able to find the cause of yet, it appears to be some sort of stiffness in her hocks. Hopefully we will get to the root of the problem soon and restore her to full health.

Toad goes up the Pole!

2010-04-12T20:02:00.004+01:00

Well almost. As the weather has been so good we have been able to make a start on the Alpaca Barn. The puddles and mud prior to Easter have now gone and good progress made. As Sid is doing this himself it will take some time as it has to be fitted around 'the day job'.

The Alpaca Barn will go between Sid's workshop and the alpaca race.

It will be a super area to keep the Alpacas in when needed and some of the equipment.

To make sure he keeps his 'brownie points' he kindly finished the potting shed and greenhouse which are my anniversary presents. (Thought I had not better paint it Ruby Red though)

We have been assessing our herd and decided which animals we are going to sell and managed to get that onto Alpaca Seller with the help of the wise owl whom I had to call for advice (again)!!!

Time Out

2010-03-30T11:42:00.004+01:00

We have just returned from our 'Escape to the Town' so to speak. We went to Derby to stay with son Matthew for a few days. The trip was a break to coincide with our Ruby Wedding Anniversary and I can remember that the weather in 1970 was very similar to what we are experiencing at the moment.
Matthew kindly took us on a tour of the area around Chatsworth and to the Derwent resevoir. This was where the famous 'Dambusters' practised for their World War II mission. The dams were magnificient but unfortunately the 'Dambusters' museum was closed. We will just have to go again when it is open!!!

We also took a trip the National Memorial Aboretum at Burton. Well worth a visit. There are many, many memorial areas,to victims of war, for our emergency services, and many others. The Police Memorial section was a particularly poingnat place of reflection.Police Credit Union Ltd had been invited to sponsor a centre piece for the garden and, in conjunction with Hertfordshire Police Federation, a blue police lamp has been sited in the middle of the garden.
The blue lamp had stood at the front of Hitchin Police Station in Hertfordshire, and it was dedicated to the memory of Mandy Rayner. Mandy was killed on October 13, 1982 when the police vehicle in which she was the observer was deliberately rammed by an offender. Mandy had joined the police service on June 21, 1982, aged 18 years and six months. She came into the service straight from the cadets, and had been out of training school for just five weeks at the time of her death.

We were particularly impressed with the The Children's Woodland area which is planted with 2,640 Native British trees, designed to combine arboriculture and wildlife with rememberance. Individual trees have been sponsored by families and schools and dedicated to babies and children who have passed away. Between the trees are large child-sized wooden figures of the characters from 'Wind in the Willows'.

Well worth a visit, a legacy for generations to come.

We returned home and our farm sitters reported no problems so we now return to paddock maintenance and animal husbandry.

Spring has Sprung

2010-03-23T09:45:00.001Z

It has been a good week - no snow like Rolf, I'm glad that's all gone. You can never be sure what weather to expect in 'Cheltenham Week'. The Festival race meeting attracts huge crowds to the area and many are often caught out by the changeable weather. Ladies Day caught out a few of the 'ladies' in their skimpy outfits not really suitable for the races whatever the weather and Friday was very wet and cold.
But back at the ranch the grass is beginning to green up and I'm glad to say the Alpacas look well - hope it stays that way and I'm not tempting fate.

Sid has been busy 'poo-vering' and is very pleased with the new hoover. It is a Mini Tippa vacuum system which we bought second hand from Pro-Vac. They were very helpful and the machine is very efficient (not sure about the user though!!!)
We are trying out a different hose system though to make it lighter for me to use, some more adaptations to be made yet though.

Man at Work

Man at Play!

Lisa and Holly having a tour of the paddocks.

As I have some time off from the 'proper' job today I am meeting up with my 'knitting lady' who has made a start on some items which will hopefully be for sale - Judgement Day! as she put it. Time will tell.

A Quiet Week

2010-03-14T22:01:00.002Z

The weather has been glorious, the Alpacas have been sunbathing and bronking about - all seemed well with the world. Hopefully it will stay that way.

We have managed to finish fencing the garden area so now the 'tornado tot' otherwise known as grand daughter Holly is safe on her external expeditons!

Our shearing is now booked for the end of May so hopefully we will have some to show at the forthcoming fleece shows this year.

Bronking Babies

2010-03-07T16:45:00.002Z

At last we have got round to halter training our two young boys, Charlie & Chan. Putting the halters on did not get a good reception - the next stage did not look promising but we were pleasantly surprised. They both walked really well, apart from the odd throw around and bronk up and down. We reached our destination, turning around to return was not greeted with a positive response but once they realised where they had to go they went well. Lets hope the next time goes as well.
Perhaps the boys were saying thank you for moving them to their new paddock. We have now closed off the small paddock in the hope of some new grass soon and will rearrange the other Alpacas into their new paddocks this week.
The weather has been really kind this week, especially today which has been cold but we have had glorious sunshine all day.
Wool sales have gone well lately. My 'knitting lady' (I only discovered her recently)is very enthusiastic and as we are almost out of the dark fawn wool we are now only knitting garments in white so that we can continue to sell both the fawn and white balls.

New Toys

2010-02-28T17:56:00.003Z

A weekend of deliveries - unfortunately not cria, we have to wait a few months yet for them - but for management tools.
On Friday we took delivery of our new 'poo hoover' courtesy of Pro-Vac. It appears to be an easy thing to use so cleaning up will be quicker and easier.
Saturday brought a visit from son Matthew. He installed the new desktop computer and transferred all the programs and files from the laptop and helped update the website. At the moment it is taking twice as long to find anything as he 'tidied everything up' for me!!!
We have been lucky weather wise this week and have not had any weather extremes and thankfully no snow. Apparently winter is now over and Spring has Sprung according to weather men from the 1st March so we must remember that when it is bitterly cold again.

A busy weekend

2010-02-21T18:42:00.004Z

We had about four inches of snow on Thursday and then on Friday night the temperatures went down to -6 deg so we had visions of a repeat of the last cold spell. Luckily we only had a sprinkling of snow on Saturday night and today has been a lovely day and the snow has melted well although there is still plenty about. It looks as though we could have some more this week - it is getting very boring now although we certainly have not had it too bad. A mixed blessing when the roads are bad and the weather is very cold as lorries and horseboxes have problems (or at least their drivers do) and Sid is called in to sort it out.

Yesterday we had a visit from Carol and John who came to look at our Alpaca venture. They delayed their visit until the afternoon in the hope of a 'melting' day as the roads around Malvern had been so bad but that wasn't to be but we still made the most of things and had a wander through the paddocks and look through the animals of course. They were very interested in what we are doing and we look forward to welcoming them back before too long.
Sid got back from recovery work just in time to meet them and was out and about again after they left and didn't get back until late (again!)

A tidy up was the order of the day for today and planning out the future. We have decided to sell our 'Billy Goat' (no - not a four legged one!!!!) and transport box. The 'Billy Goat' was our first poo hoover but as we have expanded we have needed a larger model and the transport box hasn't been used since we have had the gator so they are both for sale. If you know of anyone who may be interested give Sid a ring on 07831 421195

A White Out

2010-02-18T17:11:00.004Z

Today was supposed to be a day of taking photos of the Alpacas that we are going to sell, but that was not to be.
Sid stocked up the hayracks and finished his morning rounds and we discussed the animals and at about 11 o'clock it started snowing - and now at 5.15pm it is still snowing and apparently the roads are chaos!

Before the snow though we did have a flock of about 18 Redwings suddenly appear by the hedgerow. We have never seen them so close to the house before but I could only get a poor photo of one through the window for fear of disturbing them.

Not an Alpaca in site. As soon as the snow arrived the girls went in to their shelter. The boys played about in it for a while and our macho man 'Wellground Scripwriter' just sat there wondering where the grass had gone but after a while he too disappeared into his shelter.

It is very cold (not as cold as some parts of Scotland I am glad to say) and unpleasant but hopefully won't last too long. For now we have locked the gates and shut out the world until tomorrow.

Nose, Toes, Bonnetts & Bums

2010-02-14T15:52:00.002Z

Valentines day should be spent with the ones you love, so where else would we be but with our Alpacas!!
Today has been a glorious day, not as cold as it has been and lovely and bright. The boys were brought in and given the once over - Toad Hall King of Diamonds was not too keen on having his bonnet trimmed and definitely wouldn't wait around for a photo once finished. They are all looking really well.
I was a little concerned yesterday as Sid & Antony went on their travels - they have a habit of coming back with large machines. As far as I know they didn't buy anything but are very keen to locate the whereabouts of a 'matador' they could see from the motorway!! Cause for concern me thinks.

A day out.

2010-02-07T18:25:00.002Z

Today was a lovely confidence boosting day in the best company. You've guessed - where else but Wellground Alpaca Stud in the company of Rob & Les Rawlins. As usual we had a fleece rummage. We felt very priveleged to inspect their weanlings - stunning is only the beginning. What a future they have.
We put the world to rights and discussed our Alpacas and which ones we are going to offer for sale this year - all pregnant to the wonderful 'Wellground Scriptwriter'. We won't part with too many as his genetics will form the basis of our future herd. Lots of exciting plans ahead.

Cheery S or Dreary S!!!

2010-01-31T20:07:00.003Z

There was talk on the blogs last week of the 'S' word for the weekend. Unfortunately it was the dreary 'S' that arrived on Friday night. We had a covering of Snow on Saturday morning which froze hard and everywhere was like an ice rink. The look on the Alpacas faces was one of disbelief. It has been a bitterly cold weekend but luckily the cheery 'S' was high in the sky today and thawed everything out but unfortunately the forecast for mid week is not good once again.
After the hay racks had been replenished this morning and the gator returned to the barn the chickens decided to check it out for any goodies that might be lurking.

They pecked at the bits and seemed very content and are laying very well considering the cold weather.

Hopefully it will stay above freezing for a couple of days so that we can get a small area concreted that was supposed to be done before Christmas but couldn't be done due to the extreme cold.

A busy weekend.

2010-01-24T19:27:00.002Z

The weather has been very mixed this week, we have had wind, rain and more rain, snow, more rain but it has ended with a beautiful weekend. Saturday and Sunday have stayed dry, cold and bright.

This enabled us to get a lot of outside jobs done. Nails were trimmed, injections administered and body scoring done. The Alpacas all look quite happy except perhaps poor Wellground Scriptwriter - we did 'spit offs' today and wonderful news for us was that the girls positively rejected Scriptwriter. We eagerly await his offspring in July and August. He wasn't too impressed as we did not want any December births he was not able to have his way with any of the empty girls - not just yet!

We took a wander round the permiter checking the boundary fences and it was lovely to see the catkins forming. Hopefully Spring is not too far away.

Tales from the Riverbank!

2010-01-17T09:07:00.003Z

Well almost. Last week we had twelve inches of snow in the lane - yesterday we woke to at least twelve inches of water. Mr Toad managed to drive his Discovery through it but it was no easy task as we could not tell where the road ended and the ditch began.
Unfortunately we never made it to the meeting at Bristol as Sid was called out to a lorry who had a mishap on the ice so we will try to get to the one at Exeter in February. We had hoped to have a chat with the wise Badger, deep in the heart of the wild woods of Bratton!!!!!!!! I am sure we will catch up soon.
The snow has all gone and the Alpacas think it is wonderful - they obviously felt deprived and spent most of yesterday outside no matter how hard it rained. Today is a lovely morning, no rain, no snow and a hint of brightness in the sky. Hopefully it will spread northwards and bring a hint of spring to those of you who have really suffered the trials and tribulations of winter. The only up side I can think of is the wonderful array of birds we have had in the garden. With the snow gone we can see that moley has been busy in the garden, lots of little mounds all over the place.

Is the worst over?

2010-01-10T20:27:00.004Z

We have been very lucky really compared to many parts of the country. It has been very cold and very icy but we have not had to endure it for very long compared to other parts of the country. Hopefully the worst is now over - the forecast for the week ahead is less harsh, indeed with temperatures set to be just below freezing at night it will be a welcome relief to many.

The Alpacas seem to have worked out that the grass is there somewhere but it is the boys who spend most time outside. They wander around and prance around at regular intervals but the girls have a look around then head back for the hay.

Breakfast was a little late this morning and they were giving anxious looks - and checking I was on the way!!!

They were quickly at the troughs as soon as the buckets were emptied into the feeders

Yet more hay and more water to transport

All very worthwhile though.

Brrrrrrr..........

2010-01-07T21:43:00.008Z

We've only had it a short while and already it is too long. Yesterday we were snowed in, the lane was impassible so no work for me. Sid had to get out the Matbro and big bucket and do some clearing, he got so far up the lane then there was a tree down so that was the next hurdle to overcome. After a while we could at least get out if we needed to.

:

Today didn't start too well either - firstly no water, this time in the house!

It was minus 14 deg outside. Anyway I got ready for work and my Freelander wouldn't start so Sid took me to work and on his return set about sorting out the water problem. Unfortunately it was not at the stop tap as expected but farther along underneath the park home. He had to leave that whilst he fed and watered the animals and then came back to the water problem. Altough the pipe was well insulated an eight foot length of pipe was frozen solid so he got to work taking out the frozen piece and inserting a new piece, insulating again and again and again!!!!
It was then time to come and fetch me from work and back to do the animals again.

Luckily the Alpacas were all quite content but not very impressed with all the white stuff

So that was today gone - we await tomorrows challenge!!!

The Snow has arrived

2010-01-05T16:17:00.003Z

After yesterdays freezing start to the day of -9 deg today it started snowing about 10.30 whilst I was at work and within an hour we had a substantial covering. As I listened to the local radio it was obvious the local roads were soon in chaos. At midday I was told to go home because of the conditions so a journey that usually takes 20 minutes took about and hour.

I am lucky as I have a Land Rover Freelander but I met many cars going extremely slowly but then getting stuck on the slightest inclines because they were going so slowly. Unfortunately there were also accidents. The forecast for tonight is not good so only time will tell if we can get out tomorrow.

The Alpacas go into their shelters but every time it starts to snow again they come out and the majority start bronking around. I agree with them it is nice at the moment and lovely to have fun in but only for today, I feel sorry for those who have had prolonged snow - it obviously makes everything twice as hard. Good Luck to all of you.

It has now started snowing again but logs on the fire, dogs in front of it and evening meal on the go so I will shut the curtains on it for tonight!!!

De-Stressing!!!!!!!!!!

2010-01-01T18:50:00.003Z

We have spent a week wondering as to the safety of our Son and a friend who decided to go climbing in the Cairngorms & Ben Nevis. They went on Boxing Day for a week. They have done several climbs but not in the snow.

The first text on Boxing Day said all was well and they were quite content in their tent at minus 10deg We then heard again on Monday evening that all was going well but not entirely to plan. With the severe weather warnings in abundance and no contact again until Wednesday evening life was a little stressful but I am glad to say that he is now back in his home and we can relax.

Thank goodness the alpacas could take our minds of it. They all look well and are getting through the hay in abundance. Vitamin injections for the cria and general check over for them all tomorrow and weather permitting we may do some 'spit offs' too with 'Wellground Scriptwriter'. He has a wonderful presence - walks around his paddock looking like the king of the castle.

We hope to start work on the Alpaca barn before too long which will make life much easier, we also have to learn more about fleece sorting and producing items from it.

Best wishes to everyone for 2010 - we really enjoy the blogs from everyone, it is like catching up with one big 'Alpaca Family'. Hopefully we can meet some of you in Bristol at the meeting soon.

A Healthy & Happy New Year

2009-12-28T19:11:00.003Z

Our Wish For You in 2010

May peace break into your home and may thieves come to steal your debts;
May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for £50 notes;
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips;
May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy;
May the problems you had forget your home address;

In simple words .....................................

May 2010 be the best year of your life !!!!!!!!!!!!

One Good Thing

2009-12-21T20:40:00.003Z

It is bitterly cold, extremely icy with a thin layer of snow BUT today is the shortest day so we can at least look forward to a small improvement in daylight hours before too long.

The Alpacas are really tucking into their hay at the moment but they do look content as they sit around together on the chilly ground.

We have been very lucky as regards the snow as we have only had a slight covering but the frosts have been severe so we have had to grit the paths which are like glass.

There only remains one thing left to say: thank you for reading our blog about life at Toad Hall and

May you all have a VERY HAPPY AND PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS AND A TROUBLEFREE 2010. I hope Father Christmas brings you everything you hope for.

With best wishes from Pat and Sid

Pea Soup and Ghostly shapes

2009-12-11T10:02:00.002Z

It was certainly a pea souper this morning. I leave for work in the dark and this morning with such thick fog as I drove along the local common ghostly shapes appeared out of the mist - it was the cattle crossing the road!!

I don't see much of the Alpacas at the moment as it is dark when I leave and dark when I get home. Sid is in complete charge so he is really busy at the moment. Our two weanlings, Charlie & Chan have been coping well on their own, they are in a paddock next to 'Wellground Scriptwriter' and he seems to enjoy the company. Chan has had a touch of pneumonia so had some Nuflor last weekend but seems to have recovered fully now.

All the Alpacas have big field shelters with gates on. We put in a thick straw bed for them and keep their feeders and hay in there so when the rain comes (which has been most of the time) they are shut in the shelters at night but they all seem really happy.

I don't suppose I shall see too much of the Alpacas this weekend as I had better start Christmas shopping, at least most of the cards have been done.

Thank goodness we live here and Sid does his 'proper job' from here or we would be in a pickle as well as pea soup!!!!!!!!!!!

Back to Normal

2009-11-28T21:28:00.002Z

Well as normal as we are that is! Hopefully the gremlins have now gone for good and we can catch up.

Today was spent putting fresh straw in the field shelters and filling the hay racks, all the alpacas looked very contented as they sat on their fresh bedding looking out at the rain.

We have been very lucky weather wise - there has been lots of wind and rain but we have escaped the worst of it and no damage experienced I am glad to say.

It was a year last weekend since we moved into our home and when we were both ill it really took the pressure off as we could look out of the window and see all the paddocks.

Before we both succumbed to the gremlins we had taken a trip to the Welsh borders to get two new acquisitions - not Alpacas but more chickens. We collected two Blue Cochin to add to the menagerie, this makes the seventh group of chickens to be dealt with daily!!!

The Gremlins got us!!

2009-11-20T10:57:00.002Z

Unfortunately both Sid and I have been confined inside this week. Sid has had swine flu and I have got bronchitis so we had to call in reinforcements (Antony our son) to do the feeding and stock checking as we locked out the world.

Over the worst now so onward and upward.

Back next week when life has returned to normal (we hope).

Pat

Purrfick!!!!!!!!

2009-11-09T21:08:00.006Z

We have been busy over the last couple of weeks trying to get the urgent jobs done before the weather turned.

Firstly we un-planted the garden! Different I know but as soon as were able to in the Spring we managed to plant a small area with some summer flowers and our roses which we transplanted from our previous abode. We were lucky enough to have use of 'Ken the Kubota' so just before the rains we managed to remove the plants and get the ground into better shape ready to restock.
We are now prepared for the cold too. I managed to finish installing the wood burner on Saturday. Hopefully this is the last of the major works before we start building the Alpaca barn in the Spring (but perhaps our Alpacas will be like those on Countryfile last night and will decide to give birth in good weather between 8am and 2pm - it hasn't happened yet!!!)

A welcoming site to come home to!

Crafty cria

2009-10-25T18:55:00.007Z

We have thought for some time that Gem was not feeding Charlie that well as he spent a lot of time with Chan and his mum Hiccup - today our thoughts were confirmed. Hiccup is feeding two cria. Right in front of the window this morning were the two of them feeding together. Chan, Hiccup's own cria stands closer to her with Charlie farther away.

This brings me on to another subject especially relevant to this time of year - feeding. We feed Camelibra and hay ad lib during the summer, also we feed speedi beet to nursing mothers and we have also fed bruised oats. We feed lucerne when we don't have good quality hay. The grass has been good this year, with plenty of it but as it deteriorates we need to think of winter feeding.

At the Royal Show we purchased a bucket mineral lick but none of them seem to have used it, we also bought a vitamin drench which we have not used as yet. All our animals look well so we want to keep them that way without overfeeding (or spending unnecessarily). After reading recent blogs associated with vitamin problems we do not want to overdo unnecessary additives but also want to make sure our animals don't miss out. The cria will have their monthly vitamin injection during the winter
We would love your comments/suggestions on feeding.

Making the most of a fine day was grand daughter Holly - enjoying her swing in the oak tree.

Pain then Reward

2009-10-06T15:04:00.002+01:00

Pain for 'Wellground Scriptwriter' that is but good news for us. Princess rejected his advances so hopefully next September we will have a young Scripwriter running around. To console him he was introduced to Atlantic Hope who certainly didn't reject his advances. Princess is a solid white and Hope is a dark fawn so we may have a variety next year. Hope's last cria was by the wonderful 'Samson' and is a solid white with a wonderful fleece - hopefully a herd sire of the future.

The other ladies and young males had a routine maintenance session of toe nail clipping and health checks.

We had rain today which has freshened things up. Although we needed the rain it has been wonderful to be able to get on with a variety of jobs and not make a mess, but autumn has well and truly arrived with the onset of the early nights but it has meant some wonderful sunsets.

Groundworks

2009-09-29T12:03:00.004+01:00

The weather has certainly been a boost for us. Earlier in the year we had plans of what we hoped to achieve this year and that seemed out of reach as the poor 'summer' came. Thanks to a wonderful September we have managed to catch up and do a great deal.

Last weekend I managed to get the soil in place ready to be levelled.

A busy week on the 'proper job' of working on lorries and feed barriers and I thought our luck would run out but thankfully this weekend I manged to level it out with the aid of 'Donald the digger'.We had to put our home well off the ground in accordance with our planning requirements but now with the area around gradually returning to normal it is beginning to look like a proper 'plot'. Pat had a day out at David Austin roses for her birthday and has come back with a big wish list and ideas.

The work continues...........

Wellground Scriptwriter goes on his Honeymoon

2009-09-20T20:38:00.002+01:00

Yes, today Wellground Scriptwriter (Vernon) had his first introduction at Toad Hall. He had a liason with ARU Cambridge Princess who was very receptive to his advances.

It is a major step forward in our breeding programme - he has wonderful blood lines. He was sired by EP Cambridge Commish Lad ( a son of Jolimont Commisario). His dam was sired by the famous NWA Ltd Ruffo. We will just have to wait and see if the union is successful.

Otherwise, another lovely day. More groundworks done - hopefully all the major work will be done before the weather breaks and we won't have to put up with another winter of mud, mud, mud. (But we wouldn't change our minds and leave here!!!)

An addition to the family

2009-09-10T17:49:00.003+01:00

We had a lovely day out today. Excellent company and lovely weather. Where did we go? Where else but the wilds of Wiltshire - Wellground Alpaca Stud.
It was lovely to meet up with Rob & Les again, also Leanne and her mum. A really friendly and social chat. I knew we would come away with positive vibes.

They all manage to keep so cheerful and positive even though they have had such a rotten time lately. Thank you all for a lovely day.

But thats not all we came away with - we also brought 'Vernon' home (we decided his name on the way home. He was known as Mr Scripps at Wellground, we linked that to Heartbeat and 'Vernon Scripps' and it seemed right.
He has travelled well and is now exploring his paddock. The girls have all been over to say hello. We will leave him to settle in for a day or two before taking him for a walk down the race to explore Toad Hall.
I will keep you posted!!!

A Lovely Day

2009-09-09T20:38:00.002+01:00

The weather today has been wonderful - the only problem was we both had our 'day' jobs to do but this evening we sat outside watching the Alpacas and enjoying the lovely sunset. The youngsters starting prancing round the field so out came the camera - but - this resulted in an instant end to the prancing and a stand off as I watched them through the camera, watching me to see who would give in first! I did! so then off they went again!!!!!

We have an outing tomorrow which I just know will be a super day - full of promise and positive thoughts for the future of Alpaca farming - more on that soon.

Lets enjoy this glorious few days of our 'Inidan Summer'

Contentment

2009-09-06T21:07:00.004+01:00

A day of unwinding. We have had a very busy time lately as we hosted an 85th birthday party last weekend for Pat's mother. There were about 30 of us so the race was on to make Toad Hall fit for a family do. As the wind was too strong during the week we could not put up the marquees until the Saturday morning so the day was rather hectic but all turned out well and a good time had by all - lots of Alpaca talk to people who had never seen them before.
All week we have been putting things back as we had 'moved out' so that relatives could sleep in our house.

Today was a sunny day, much less wind, all seemed well with world and a day for catching up with chores.

Busy working on the paddocks

Charlie (Toad Hall Storm) investigating

Grand daughter Holly enjoying a ride on Jumbo

Better Technology?????

2009-08-16T17:57:00.007+01:00

It was supposed to be faster and easier on 'proper' broadband but things never go the way they are supposed to. Since moving here our internet connection has been via a 'dongle'. Basically like a mobile phone connection which is frustratingly slow and often disconnects so when we decided to cancel that contract early and go for the 'proper' thing it was going to be so easy, wasn't it? Well, we are getting there and at times everything is super duper but never mind we'll get it sorted.

One thing that is sorted is my new purchase

- I have got a Gator which is easier than my quad bike and trailer to load and manouvere.

We have been very busy trying to get the improvements to the house finished and the access completed while the weather is dry - we haven't had much good weather but it has been mainly dry enabling much needed work to be done. It all seems never ending, we are probably trying to do too much too soon and cannot fit it all in.

Charlie & Chan enjoying the sunshine today

Anyway, the Alpacas look fit and well. Toad Hall Storm (Charlie) had to go on the bottle for a couple of days as Gem had a touch of mastitis but all seems well now and Toad Hall Sunsrise (Chan) is growing incredibly fast.

Better Technology coming soon!!!

2009-07-27T15:59:00.003+01:00

For the past year we have been on 'mobile internet'. Supposed to be good - lets say it has been better than no internet. The problem has been that the signal keeps going, so doing anything at length can take even longer than you think as you need to keep re connecting. However, all is about to change - hopefully at the end of this week we will be on 'proper' broadband. Pat has to sort all that - me and technology don't go together. Give me a spanner and screwdriver any day.

Our 2 cria are growing nicely, the first born 'Toad Hall Storm' has settled nicely. Gem wasn't sure what to do at first but when Hiccup gave birth to 'Toad Hall Sunrise' she seemed to learn from her - very apt really as Hiccup is Gem's mother. Pat was also here in the day to push Storm in the direction of his mother for food so we were able to stop the bottle feeding. We are very pleased with both of them. Let's hope the next two girls give birth uneventfully and all goes well. Shouldn't be too long to wait.

A new day - A new Cria

2009-07-20T19:37:00.003+01:00

Pat had left for work at 7.30am telling me to keep an eye on Hiccup. Off I went on my rounds and Hiccup seemed a little unsettled so I thought that we may have a new arrival later in the day. However, I didn't have to wait too long. After an hour a head appeared and no legs so I knew I had better assist. It was quite easy to correct the legs and fairly soon a healthy male cria arrived.

He is a lovely solid white by Cambridge Ice Cool Lad. Here is on the right of the picture with 'Toad Hall Storm' introducing himself.

50% of our cria have now arrived, let's hope the others arrive safely.

The Changing Face of Toad Hall

2009-07-19T17:45:00.004+01:00

We have had a very busy year. This time last year we had just got planning permission to live here so we quite literally moved our house. Well one year on we have established our home area away from the workshop and have been busy putting up more field shelters and creating more paddocks for our expanding herd.

Gem's cria is doing well, she has accepted him well but only seems to feed him when reminded so we are still giving him a bottle as well. We think we will call him 'Toad Hall Storm' as he was born during a week of storms.

We have a further three cria due, all by Cambridge Ice Cool Lad. Hopefully they will arrive over the next couple of weeks

More pictures

2009-07-15T21:02:00.003+01:00

Our new addition is handsome chap, weighing in at 7.5 kg. Poor Gem is not sure about being a mum but will stand still for him to feed - the problem is getting her to stand!!! She is now in a small paddock with Bluebell in the hope it will calm her down. Fingers crossed. No name yet so he is referred to as 'Charlie' at the moment.

Gem's Surprise

2009-07-14T20:41:00.005+01:00

We have 4 cria due over the next few weeks and have been keeping a close eye on the girls. I checked them early afternoon and all was well - when I came back at 5pm and went over to check them again I was greeted by a solid white very healthy looking male cria. One problem, it wasn't immediately obvious who was Mum. He was going from one to another but mostly to Gem. Gem was our first born here and this has been her first pregnancy, she was mated to 'EP Cambridge Samson' , a stunning male at Wellground Alpaca Stud. There were little signs of birthing but we decided to put Gem and baby together and they seemed content. Poor Gem was confused, we gave 100ml of Colostrum to the cria to play safe but we have just managed to get him sucking off Gem and hopefully they will settle together over the next 24 hours.

What a good job we live here - we can check and feed overnight if we need to.
This morning we welcomed Les Rawlins from Wellground Alpaca Stud. What a pity our new arrival didn't come yesterday. Les brought 'Cambridge Buckingham' to do a spit off with Blue Ember which was negative so Cambridge Buckingham set to work.. Rob wasn't feeling too well - hope you feel better now Rob.
Off to put on the thinking cap for a name for our new arrival.

Back at last

2009-07-05T14:05:00.005+01:00

Due to a few gremlins in the system I have been without the computer for a while - doesn't take much to put me off technology. However I'm glad to say all seems well now.
I am so glad the Alpacas were shorn at the beginning of May, it was a shame we missed the Three Counties Show but as we have had extremes of temperatures it has worked for the best. It was nice to go to the Three Counties Show as a social, it was a shame that the Alpaca ring was behind the Young Farmers Arena which is always very noisy but the alpacas seemed to ignore it mainly and it was better from the public point of view as they were more high profile. It was wonderful to see so many entries. Let's hope the last Royal Show goes well.
Our four adult females are due to give birth within the next month but from talking to other people it seems that a lot of cria are overdue this year - even longer watching and wondering.

Will it last?

2009-05-30T13:25:00.002+01:00

The warm weather has returned so as they say 'let's make hay while the sun shines'
Well, l'm not actually making hay but as we have so much grass at the moment I am mowing the paddocks for silage as we are in danger of losing sight of the Alpacas.
They are all looking well, it wasn't such a shock this year when they were shorn and as it is now 3 weeks since they were done they look quite good. I am sure the lucerne we have been feeding has helped their condition.
Work around the house continues - we only moved here last year and were surrounded by mud for months but I am pleased to say that we now have some grass and a path and hopefully a few flowers on the way. However, nothing could spoil the view - not even the worst weather over the winter. It is wonderful to look out on the Alpacas, especially in the evenings.
Pat (also called Toadette by some!!) is on the mend following an operation on her right hand - you could say I'm her right hand man!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where is Summer gone?

2009-05-17T19:58:00.002+01:00

I should have known really - all the alpacas have been shorn and what has the weather been like since? At least they all have a shelter in their paddocks to escape from the worst of the wind and rain. Hopefully things will improve soon. We do need the rain, it is just a shame that it all comes at once.
The alpacas have had their annual Lambivac injection, Dectomax injection and this year we have given them a drench against coccidiosis.
They have also been shorn and we are hopefully going to show the fleeces from Toad Hall King of Diamonds (Barnaby) and Toad Hall Cool Troy (Troy). I say hopefully because it is all a learning curve for us and we have yet to find out how we prepare the fleece for showing.