well our Polytunnels have lasted a very long time as some ported from the old farm. We lost one a while ago but the last series of storms caused the old girl to flip on her back like a turtle

and much as we tried to keep her down with a sheep feeder,

overnight winds of 50mph on the side of a hill meant she was uprighted again and too much damage done. bless her cottons…

so the sheep feeder was put back to proper use…

We have many friends in New Zealand, our thoughts and prayers go to all the families and the Country at this terribly sad and tragic time.

Our admiration goes to those stopping to help and to the services providing support

and our disbelief and disgust to those who did it.

this is not an Alpaca blog but a Farmer blog per se. I have had to catch up because I have had issues to deal with and one of them was suspected Breast Cancer. I would urge anyone who feels a lump or has pain in their breasts to go to the Doctor immediately. I did because it hurt and I check regularly but many don’t… I was put on antibiotics as suspected Mastitis as a precaution (yep even at my age apparently and not caught from the sheep lol) and immediately sent for the appropriate mammary inspections. Really great NHS staff at Swindon Hospital, the Doctor giving permission for me to take a shot of the offending boob even. I am currently under observation but hopefully in the clear this time but being monitored… Please, if in doubt, GO TO THE DOCTOR.

well, I had thought that the saga of the 3 castrated boys done standing would be over but as I checked daily, it was brought to my attention that one testicular area (testicle long gone) on one boy was still not receding and indeed a lump was felt. further investigation – not for the squeamish to read on folks – meaning gentle manipulation and the lump was eased through the unhealed hole.

The lump was pus consistency and discoloured but I think more likely some fat that had been retained. however, the hole cleansed and sprayed has … eventually healed. the moral of this story is that this can happen when Alpaca males are cut standing or under general anaesthetic BUT you must be vigilant because this situation lasted a whole month after the op…

  The lump of pus consistency

the clean hole left with dissolvable stitch still visible…

and finally, a month after the op and constant care… a clean healed incision and receded swelling…

well my Mother always told me “over your lifetime you will know who your true friends are” and over the years I did eventually learn what she meant. Being Aries (Ram) I am no wallflower but am lucky to have many close friends who have been friends for my lifetime, I even regularly see my “bestie” from age 11 at school… a friendship enduring 43 years already – I consider myself lucky to be blessed with so many kind and true friends.

However, I have to take my hat off to one of my friends today who worked with us on the Alpaca through the torrential rain all day long then, at the end of the day had a more pleasurable experience welcoming the latest addition to Kensmyth Equines…

I wonder who that could be on my trailer leading a British Spotted Palomino filly down the ramp?

Big thanks to you today!

well, to those who know me well, 3rd March is always a day of Remembrance of my brother sadly taken from us due to Hospital negligence all those years ago when only just turned 40 … we reflect on happy memories and celebrate his life on this day.

meantime, back at the farm… Alpaca husbandry for annual Lambivac and continued ADE through these rather interestingly challenging winter weathers… bring back the 17 degrees please!

well with Storms and Hurricanes all over the world, March has made it appearance… the Daffodils are out and beautiful heralding the start of Spring to come but PLEASE also heed the warning…

well I have been making Lasagne and cooking Turkey again for the lads as the weather turned challenging again – good plain farming food… oh and one trip to Pizza Express of course!

no Vegetarians here im afraid LOL

how can you not still be in love with Alpaca after 13 years of breeding them when they always make you so happy?