Well as we look towards the Valentines Day ahead, we never go out on that day because of all the hiked restaurant prices!  So we really enjoyed a meal out at a totally new venue with friends at the Six Bells near Hungerford in Berkshire. Lovely toasty log fire, great choice of beers and friendly service and good pub grub..

in no particular order: Fruit Crumble, Sticky Toffee pudding, Burger and Chips, steak and chips, cheesy chips, chilli spaghetti, beef goujons, pate and toast all homemade folks!

I can never remember which months creeps in softly and which is the lion but I have to say with the promise of snow shortly following rain, wind and freezing temperatures in January the weather has gone a bit bonkers. First we have minus temps (-4) and then we have 11 degrees the next day!

What a joy that the alpaca are in full fleece so do not get cold, they love it but do not forget that means the cold!

Alpaca do not have lanolin in their fleece and have pads like dogs so wet ground and wet backs are invitations for infected cuts in the feet and hypothermia.. shelters and dry ground please folks!

Well we are not faring so badly here on our hill despite the winds, many friends have had field shelters blow over and stables lost.. you have to have windows open and solid frames!

Ironic that the shelters all stay solidly put but a pretty solid hay rack gets upturned!

Well I like to add to this blog some of the things we get up to as farming life continues daily 24/7 for 365 days a year. It is something people forget when the weather is cold, wet, windy and they stay indoors by a warm fire with a glass of wine and do not have to go out!

A quick trip to see friends in Weymouth and a drive by the beach, sorry we did not get out but folk were still out walking on the beach !

We not often eat Indian food because we usually prefer Thai but a quick trip to the Rajdoot in Cirencester was a lovely meal and great service. Small interior though, as we were leaving a large party very rowdy came in and I felt sorry for the couples on the tables adjacent but great food. Their keema nan was amazing!

So glad we are on a hill.. flooding around Pool Keynes, South Cerney and Cirencester respectively folks!

We managed a sneak meal out to The Greyhound at Siddington amongst all the festivities but I was disappointed to be honest. Salt on a fish that was not wanted, salty rice under chicken and very small Sticky Toffee Pudding now..

A new light dawns on a New Year, best wishes to all, especially those with bleary eyes from staying up to watch the London fireworks..

Well my Mum was a trouper and we had a lot of fun but it was a bit hectic. Mum madly peeled all the veg and set the table and made the Christmas Cake, Christmas pudding.. what did I do.. the turkey!

As the day passes and turns to Church bells ringing and Carol singers, Merry Christmas to all our friends, family and clients from all at Kensmyth Alpaca, here in the Cotswolds.

As we eagerly await the birth of our second grandchild this Christmas, praying that all goes well, a reminder of the beauty of new born alpaca cria this year..