BBC Countryfile comes to Barnacre Alpacas

What an exciting day we have had today, Rehannah Mian and Peter Taylor from the BBC have been here filming for their Countryfile programme.

I was up at the crack of dawn having hardly slept a wink, thinking about how the day would go and hoping everyone would behave themselves. They were here about nine armed with their camera and sound equipment. I was rather nervous initially but Rehannah and Peter put me at my ease and I was soon enjoying it.

We looked at the animals, talked about their care, fleece and individuality. We did a spot of halter training, bottle feeding and even little Eubank my foster lamb got in on the action.

It is the first time that alpacas have featured on Countryfile in its 20 year history, so quite an achievement for us. It will be on this Sunday's programme so don't miss it, 11am - I'll have the video set!!

I thought it was only fair seeing as I'd been on camera all day to turn the tables:-

Busy busy busy

I have had a busy day today getting ready for tomorrow - more about that tomorrow as I'm not sure if I can tell you about it yet!!

I have had to loiter around the house most of the day waiting for DHL to come and collect a parcel. I wish people would give you a small time window or call when they are on their way as I had lots to be getting on with and it held me up.

Gaussian has been a little monkey with his bottles today and hasn't managed to finish a single one of them. I'm not sure if it is because he had more than usual yesterday or because the sun has been shining; he is always less inclined to have them when the weather is nice.

The girls have been sun bathing, those that are heavily pregnant are starting to spend more time sat down. I think that Aria is actually going to birth before Molly despite being due after her.

Milkies!!!

Yesterday was weigh day for Gaussian, I'm pleased to say he's up a little again :-) he's now reached the dizzy heights of 16.92kg (37.2lbs). His milk intake has increased a bit also, today he had 1.25 litres. It would definitely have been cheaper to buy a goat 8 months ago I'm sure!!

Talking of milk Chiquita has obviously smelt Willow's (her mum) beginning to develop. Willow is due next month. This morning she went to check out Willow's under carriage and was begging for milk. Thankfully Willow was having none of it, and despite Chiquita's persistence she we was told in no uncertain terms that it was out of bounds.

Those of you who have been following my blog from the beginning may recall that Chiquita was a nightmare to wean and kept trying to get back to mum and after months apart went straight back to check for milk.

Great news for your herd

We have been discussing our 'sales team' with Matthew and Catherine Lloyd of EP Cambridge, and as a result we are delighted to announce revised prices and packages which can be found on our sales page. These girls are all pregnant to some of the finest herdsires in the country and would be a great asset to both the established breeder or new owners alike.

With the first one, Molly, being due to birth in the next couple of weeks and Aria just a couple of weeks behind her, these prices will of course be reviewed very shortly when their cria arrive, so grasp the opportunity whilst you can.

It's Snow good is it!

Can you believe it, snow again, thankfully not too much and it's rather wet so it hasn't hung round for long. It did mean everyone made use of their shelters last night leaving me plenty of 'presents' to clean up this morning.

The hay consumption has increased again, the girls have quite clearly sought out all the nice fresh green shoots that were emerging and have now reverted to the hay. I will have to get another bale ordered from Mr T!

My blogger has been playing up tonight not wanting to let me sign in, I was already late because Paul has been hogging the machine all night doing various updates on the website.

I have had a couple of very exciting phone calls today, more on them over the next few days as my little lamb has just started yelling that it is supper time! He obviously heard Paul put the kettle on for his bottle.

Gaussian knew what was coming

I have been busy with excel spreadsheets and paperwork today, not my favourite job but someone has to do it. Thankfully Paul is usually the paper work man so I don't have to do much of it other than the husbandry reports and fibre statistics.

Chiquita has a bit of a sore leg so she needed some cream on at lunchtime, she is very well behaved and will happily stand whilst I do the necessary. However Tessa, one of our regular manure collectors called at just the right time, so she was able to hold her whilst I had a good look, and I'm pleased to say it is looking much better already.

This evening Gaussian happily stood for me to put on his pyjama's, he doesn't usually like you fastening it up and putting the tail strap on. Tonight though he obviously knew that the weather was about to turn as he was very cooperative. It is now snowing heavily - he must have been able to smell it!!

Award winning knitwear

Following on from yesterdays Futurity blog, I thought I would share with you a couple of photographs of my craft entries. I was delighted that my knitted bag was awarded 4th place, so I have come home with a nice 2009 Futurity rosette.

There were 85 entries so not bad going I thought. I wasn't so lucky with my felted slippers or ear rings. I was quite disappointed that the slippers didn't get anything as they took me absolutely ages and I received loads of compliments about them. See what you think....

My parents have gone home today, I'm sure the animals will miss them, they all know mum is a soft touch so like her at feed time. Once again thanks for your help mum and dad, not sure what we would do without you!

I'm back!

Firstly, I must say well done and thank you mum for looking after everyone so well and even posting a blog! She was very pleased to have received some comments and asked me to thank you. She even managed to get Gaussian to put on 40 grams (just under a pound) whilst we were away!

The Futurity was a great event again, the new location at Stoneleigh Park was fantastic and with 350 animals being shown it was a credit to the organisers, it ran like clockwork. It was lovely to meet up with many friends and catch up, not to mention all the people who came up and introduced themselves as blog readers - thanks folks.

I know there are a few of you out there who were interested in the auction, and wanted to know how things went with the extremely impressive Cambridge Opus in particular. Well I can tell you she was sold for £8,500 guineas to Rachel & Chas at Classical Mile End Alpacas - they have a fantastic girl there.

I am pleased to say that Molly did as she was told and didn't panic mum whilst we were away. She is 320 days now so not long to go. She is one of the girls pregnant to Accoyo Remarque whose progeny were doing well in the show classes over the weekend, winning numerous ribbons and attracting comments like 'exceptionally dense fleece' 'very fine' etc. Needless to say I'm looking forward to her babes arrival.