Kensmyth

once again a big thank you to clients and friends (and mum) who called to check we were ok today – yup we hit the big freeze and the place is like a skating rink however beautiful it may be. if you are sitting drinking a cuppa in bed on a Sunday morning thinking you might fancy having a smallholding – the reality might hit you today of how you MUST love being outside in ALL weathers and ALL the time – mmm we’re loving it here though…

a reminder to all that Alpaca (and sheep and horses) need hay carrying out to them ALL the time…

and access to fresh water ALL the time…

even in conditions like this…

BUT here at Kensmyth we are ALL totally dedicated to the livestock… not the cuppa in bed!!

well for Farming folk there is no tobogganing – unless attached to an Alpaca or horse LOL but the first flush of snow was beautiful at Kensmyth…

Well I just came in from the blizzard for a coffee to post this! hi to Irene, Mum and all the clients who have called to check how we are – many recalled we lost all water last year in the Beast from the East.

Schools cancelled? why? we used to walk… we were out from 5.30 am in the dark this morning and just come in!

Well the snow started last night and has carried on going on our Cotswolds hill – what better photos than the Blue Dawn skies and fields of bone dry Alpaca barned overnight – welcome February 2019 to real all weather folk!

those of you who know how big 17.2 hh in a draught horse is especially when in foal, will know it simply isn’t funny when they slip in the field.

Many thanks to Alice my Vet from the George who rushed out to check that nothing disastrous had happened to our beloved mare due to the ice… on 3 legs – luckily it hadn’t !

amazing how I have to wait a week for X rays on my leg but I could see it immediately in less than a minute on her laptop with Alice on screen here!

what a marvellous Vet Alice is, thank you!

Well despite the forecasts…

the weathermen got it wrong again but we did have fantastic Ice which ultimately led to a horse slipping in the field but more on that another day …

A visitor to Kensmyth recently gave me a little pot of something she thought I would like! Some of my readers know im not a chocolate lover but I do like Parma Violet creams – reminiscent of childhood parma violets – you know the ones you used to get in the little twisted plastic cylindrical twists like fizzlers and Love Hearts!

Well, imagine my surprise to receive this – thank you so much – they will last forever Fortnum and Mason no less!

so pleased you loved your visit to the Alpacas!

I am becoming concerned about the amount of folk who think they can simply start shearing Alpaca themselves, it takes years of experience and has to be done with extreme gentleness and care, especially where older and/or pregnant Alpaca are concerned.

Older Alpaca (especially whites) are prone to Cysts which are common and rarely cause issue or pain to the Alpaca but must be either left alone or removed gently at shearing. This is a skill and is done with caring, knowledgeable owners and skilled shearers…

First the Alpaca is laid gently down on a mat with someone they know and trust (older Alpaca shown)

and the Alpaca is then shorn carefully… where cysts are found,

their contents should be gently removed where possible and the marble / pea shaped hole sprayed with antibiotic… they rarely then reappear. sometimes the contents are hard, sometimes soft and puss like…

they are no different than the white spots that appear on some human faces but the thought of someone with zero experience trying to shear an Alpaca just makes me shudder.

sorry for the Pus photos mum !

Well the Dawn of a new day was brighter

and breaking the ice was refreshing…

but I still have a problem with my wonky carrot theory….

those who are genuine farmers will know we don’t need much sleep, I guess its the inner alarm for the bond between man and animal that develops over the years?

I know I only have to hear a sheep shift uncomfortably in the barn and im awake and the CCTV is on with me ready to dash out in jamas and wellies despite the cold to assist in the lambing… my friends called upon to assist with twins with one retained will stand test to that one LOL

anyway those of you who know me well understand that I am a devout Christian and I always try to relate “songs” to the passing of any Christian soul.

For our dear Liz, I have decided that this is most appropriate to me personally and im sure my family will agree as she was part of our lives since 1970 … I will write an epitaph personally but for now…

How Deep Is Your Love

I know your eyes in the morning sun
I feel you touch me in the pouring rain
And the moment that you wander far from me
I want to feel you in my arms again
And you come to me on a summer breeze
Keep me warm in your love, then you softly leave
And it’s me you need to show

How deep is your love, how deep is your love
How deep is your love?
I really mean to learn
‘Cause we’re living in a world of fools
Breaking us down when they all should let us be
We belong to you and me

I believe in you
You know the door to my very soul
You’re the light in my deepest, darkest hour
You’re my savior when I fall
And you may not think I care for you
When you know down inside that I really do
And it’s me you need to show

How deep is your love, how deep is your love
How deep is your love?
I really mean to learn
‘Cause we’re living in a world of fools
Breaking us down when they all should let us be
We belong to you and me

And you come to me on a summer breeze
Keep me warm in your love, then you softly leave
And it’s me you need to show

How deep is your love, how deep is your love
How deep is your love?
I really mean to learn
‘Cause we’re living in a world of fools
Breaking us down when they all should let us be
We belong to you and me

How deep is your love, how deep is your love
I really mean to learn
‘Cause we’re living in a world of fools
Breaking us down when they all should let us be
We belong to you and me

How deep is your love, how deep is your love
I really mean to learn
‘Cause we’re living in a world of fools
Breaking us down when they all should let us be
We belong to you and me

Songwriters: Barry Gibb / Maurice Ernest Gibb / Robin Hugh Gibb

I thought this photo taken at dawn was appropriate for such a sad day here at Kensmyth. As I drove to the hospital yet again (don’t go there) I received the sad news that a lady so very much part of my life from childhood had died.

Liz Kermode laughed in our pool at our old farm when she overcame cancer for the first time and laughed with us when she saw our 10 year Celebration Funky Hair Cut Alpaca shearing in the magazine she took called “The Lady” – even keeping the copy for us.

Sadly her cancer came back and this time she lost the fight.

A fantastic Christian lady, kind and always happy giving smiles, laughter and love – gracious with a heart of gold and not a single bad bone in her body. So very much loved by all who met her and knew her.

God bless you Liz for all the happiness you spread throughout your life and we will miss you terribly.