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| hay shed - garden entrance |
With a small fanfare (to be honest, it was just a bit of blood, sweat and tears), yesterday I cut through the fence, and so linked the hay shed with the alpaca shelter and paddock, and in the next few days can transfer the hay, making the shelter available to the alpacas for the harsher weather. The roof was completed last weekend, and I've just got a few odds and ends to finish, including making provision for our barn cat who we'll try and transfer over from her luxury accommodation in the summer house. The roof tiling wasn't entirely without hitch, as I collected another 60 second-hand roof tiles from the reclamation yard on thursday, only to find they were half an inch smaller tha the first lot, and had to take them back on monday but fortunately found suitable replacements, as I'd already fixed the battens and laid the first 88 - it was a long weekend with humble pie being eaten and severe bruising from kicking myself for not checking - more haste, less speed!
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| hay shed - paddock entrance |
I attended the 2-day Camelidynamics course with eleven other breeders, which was presented by the excellent Julie Taylor--Browne, and hosted by Classical Mile end Alpacas. Julie is a brilliant tutor in all respects, we had plenty of live models to practice on, and Rachels now-legendary catering was excellent, as usual.
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| Camelot, with Bramley beyond |
On tuesday the South-West Alpaca Group held a social outing which did not involve showing alpacas or their fleeces - a chance to rub shoulders with other breeders without the usual time pressures of shows. We had a trip around Devonia Sheepskins at Buckfastleigh in Devon, followed by a pub lunch, and trip around Buckfast Abbey. While some people may find the thought difficult, there will inevitably be casualties on the farm, and it is clearly one way of extending the economic (or sentimental) value of an animal. They already have experience of tanning alpaca pelts.
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| This photograph was not taken with the CountryFile calender in mind...it's been a busy day. |
Today I made another trip out with the trailer and two girls for a spit-off for Autumn Gold which proved to be successful, so now that's three pregnant - now I can moth-ball the trailer for a while and concentrate on some training, Camelidynamic-style.
Great to see the Hay shed nearly finished, just in time for winter ! Funnily enough, Im probably going to be doing my extension....to the barn....soon, as my work force are arriving soon !....I think I shall pass on the alpaca skins...!! idea, thats not for me Im afraid !......felting and spinning, with the odd cuddle thrown in for good measure...is more than enough !........Jayne
ReplyDeleteYou have been busy Dave...surely you need an opening ceremony for the shelter? I will be interested to see if you think the Camelidynamics approach works for you in practice?
ReplyDeleteNow thats a 'Grand Design' that Kevin would be proud of! We've also done the dynamics course with Julie. Like Barbara (above) we'd be interested to find how it works for you. Take care. Shirley & Robbie
ReplyDeleteHay shed nearly finished.....very impressive work!!
ReplyDeleteAs ever impressed with how much you and Mrs Smallholder achieve with every blog. Great design result from recovered and recycled material. Ta daa indeed!
ReplyDeleteBarbara and Shirley, during the course I came to the conclusion that crucial to succeeding was patience and planning - we all achieved varying degrees of success with 1-2year olds, but the real test comes with a feisty 6-year old, and succes won't happen overnight - it's tempting to rush for a result, and something I'll have to try and resist...
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