Well those that truly farm know that fencing does not last forever, especially not in clay ground. it moves, wire shifts, posts break – you name it. Time to get some down and paddocks cleared for new fencing to happen shortly.. thanks to the men in my life for a good job taking it all down in this heat..

It is so funny when folk ask me if I am still breeding and/or going to retire – I just say read my blog do I look like I am going to? I have been breeding Alpaca now since 2007 and the cria just get better year on year and we are one of the few “originals” – but my heart is always in my mouth when birthing is upon us because despite a vet background and decades experience, there is always so much that can go wrong. But not this one – another storm baby!

besties from the start – cracking girl too

I have to tell you that as a rider myself I am really shocked at how surprised some riders are when they have an accident. I was behind these two keeping my distance as they gossiped away, barely visible as you can see. They clearly did not like me not overtaking and waved me passed on a blind bend several times – obviously I did not overtake – but failed to make any effort to move over. Come on folks – give the cars a chance!

wow what fantastic sunsets in this heat and what a gorgeous grand daughter is she! Welcome July!

well sometimes Alpaca just do not read the book that says “morning births” – this young lady decided following a hot burst that the only break in the rain the storm that followed was the best time to make an entrance and it was definitely after the sun had crossed the yard arm! Love the way everyone has to come and see!

  the all essential watching to make sure the baby (cria) was knowing who was Mum and suckling properly before moving to the barns out of the weather and harms way!

not long before the storm passed, the sun came back out and the coat came off, welcome to our world.

Well a black horse getting hot in the heat and the flies wanting to be inside on a beautiful day.. who would have thought?

Black Alpaca need shade and shelter just as much if not more than the others..

Folk ask me why do you need to be on site with Alpaca cria being born (babies) and I can give a list as long as your arm starting with the need to see when a birth starts so you understand if you need to assist a difficult birth and caring for premature and dysmature babies, unwilling mums, the heat you name it!

Shelters with windows at the back are essential for warm conditions..

and would you know if a mother to be was doing something different than usual to indicate a start of a birth – if you were not on site?

this young lady always lies to the FRONT of the shelter, she birthed that day but more on her later..

Temperatures soar and cria due in this heat means CCTV on pregnant mums at all times when not in fields..

Well as temperatures soar we raised a toast to my Dad who died a year ago, seems like only yesterday. His favourite tipple when in Spain was a San Miguel .. miss you Dad

Well we did not manage to get to the Duck Race this year due to false alarms with pregnant mothers but that is life.. however we did manage to see quite a lot of the Jubilee Celebrations, I found them quite haunting in view of the fact that the Queen has been so ill and is not so young but amazing nevertheless..

PHOTOS TAKEN OFF THE TELEVISION