A visit to the Equine hospital

Not the best of weeks.  We had a phone all earlier in the week to say one of the alpacas we look after wasn't well and the vet wanted him to go to the Equine hospital at Liphook.  We took him there with a companion and, despite lots of tests, they couldn't really find what was wrong with him and he was put to sleep.  Another dash over at night to collect his companion, Honey and return her to the herd.  They are doing a post mortem and, hopefully, will have some answers,  Honey was not impressed with her trip out but was very pleased to get home. 

Today, Sam helped me with the sheep as, despite how late in  the year it is, there are still flies around and I was horrified to find a few maggots on one ewe last week.  We have been lucky avoiding fly strike this year but it looks like we still need to be vigilant.  Fly strike is about the worst thing with sheep but it is amazing how quickly they can recover.

Cats on tables

I have just realised how long it is since the last post - seeing the Ibberton carpenter at work hoisting his little flag in the driveway just reminded me!  I have been alternating between knitting ready for Christmas markets, trying to create order in a half completed house, sourcing alpacas and dealing with sheep feet.  The knitting is going reasonably well but as soon as I get near my target stock level something sells and I have to knit more.  I am not complaining - just hope the sales don't suddenly dry up at Christmas!!

The house now has a carpet in the lounge which is wonderful but does mean I am frequently hovering as I am so afraid we will ruin it.  The cats are the main issue but Cruella now has a little deck chair which she appears to love and the ginger stray girl/boy has taken to sleeping on an old piece of carpet on the kitchen table which is not hygienic and will have to come to an end once the kitchen is complete but keeps him/her happy for now.

I have, hopefully, another delivery of alpacas to Italy next month but am trying to source another four who are suitable and that is quite a struggle - particularly with the language barrier.  Apparently, whilst describing the characteristics of a stud male alpaca, I got my Italian a bit muddled and told the client last week that I enjoyed sex, particularly if it was with a black - which caused her to have hysterics!

The damp and warmth is causing havoc with the sheep feet and I have had one with maggots which is foul.  Luckily, she was caught in time and is fine now but I am having to be extra vigilant with the limpers - of whom there seem to be a never ending stream!

Leaf is starting to stir

I have not been sitting here doing nothing I can assure you!  Knitting is taking over my life a bit preparing for Christmas which does seem a way away still but isn't!  I am on a complicated reversible scarf and find after a bit I have to stop or it all goes wrong so it is taking rather longer than hoped for.

At least the weather is behaving itself a little more and the ram, Leaf, is getting going with far more enthusiasm.  Kane and Walnut have come out from their groups for a few weeks as the ewes were just not ready so I am sadly going to have yet another drawn out lambing.

This weekend saw us driving around viewing alpacas as I have a client in Italy after a group of girls.  I think I have found some that are suitable but now waiting to get transport quotes to make it all come together.  Hopefully, if it does there is another order for 20 more next spring - although where I am going to find them is another matter!

Apples and grumpy men

Bit gloomy today although the sun did appear to be making an effort this afternoon.  Sadly, this did not appear to cheer up the decorators who may have had a bit of a falling out!  The alpacas are happy every time I go near them as they always think there are apples on the way.  There usually are as I have a bumper crop and there is no way we can eat even a small quantity of them.

Not much can be said for the greenhouse which is having a fallow year with two lonely tomato plants and a cat in it - stray ginger has taken up residence in there.

We have the decorators in!

Nearly October and it is still warm!  We have the Decorating Lads in at the moment painting the lounge which is taking a while as they are very meticulous and we are having all the pine painted white.  I have spent the last week with no carpet and all the furniture piled up around me - also no curtains so a good job the road is not too busy!

The lambs have settled into the Grave Diggers field and pester The Flower Lady when she is trying to pick blackberrys.  Nice to have them there as I can pop over and sit with them after tea - some of them like a bit of a cuddle!

Carl is doing some welding on Saturday, as the Aunt has broken her cattle crush and it is Tb testing on Monday, and then it is time to check over a couple of limping sheep.  Feet are causing me a bit of a problem this year.

And still waiting for Sam's wedding photos which seem to be taking forever.

A slow start

Getting a bit irregular with the posting again, I am afraid!  Trying hard to get knitting up together in preparation for Christmas markets which, I know, seems a long way away but when your knitting is a little on the slow side one has to prepare quite a way in advance!

The tups have now gone in with the ewes but it has been a very slow start, probably due to the weather which is far too hot for this time of year.  Leaf, the older Southdown, is doing his best.  He wanders round curling his lip and sniffing at bottoms but then he gets hot and has to have a little sleep - he has managed four out of thirty so far.  Kane, the Dorper ram, is working for the first time and is keen but the girls keep hiding in the shed to get away from the heat so he has managed one out of sixteen.  And then there is Walnut!   Walnut is a pedigree Southdown ram and it is his first time - he started well but the girls were not ready and now he appears to have given up and just wants to go back with his best mate Kane.  There is a slight question over his sexual preferences!!  I am about to go and see the Grave digger to see if a possible solution can be found!

Here is good, reliable old Leaf in action!

More blood and a crook

I am currently suffering as I have, yet again, toothache.  On top of that I have just managed to slice the side of my finger with my new ceramic knife whilst making Carl's sandwiches!  Not  a good day, except that Mother did give me my great, great grandfather's crook which is a wonderful piece of history.  He was a shepherd who lived in Shillingstone.

And here is the crook - which is the same one as in the photo.  A lovely bit of history!