Seaside and no boxes

Much to Paul's disgust it was another early start this morning, and no time to watch the Grand Prix.  We were heading over to a makers market in Seaburn with the Barnacre knitwear range and the boys.  I'd decided only to take a couple of boys today. 

First in the trailer were Ochre (no shock there then) closely followed by Minimus and Pearson.  As we were only taking two I decided that Minimus could go for the 'ahhhhhhhh' factor.  As always the boys went down a treat causing lots of interest on the seafront.

I think the knitwear was equally as stroked, it always amazes me how surprised people are at the soft feel of our garments.  There some lucky new customers with cosy heads and fingers this evening following their purchases.

This evening I have managed to ply the bit of yarn I'd spun over the last few days, I'm hoping Carol isn't too disappointed as there isn't much.  I've made a couple of requests from the hand spun yarn before our trip to Wallington Food and Craft Fair at the weekend so I'm hoping there is enough.

All this has meant I have had a day of box packing, there is still plenty to do and only 8 more nights in a proper bed.

Karin Muller vet talk

It was an early start this morning as we needed everyone fed and sorted pronto so we could head down to Wetherby for a vet talk by Karin Muller.

I actually got up extra early to watch the F1 qualifying, I have a pile of ironing that must be done before we move into the caravan next week so I thought a 5am start wouldn't do any harm.

As soon as it got light (and I had managed to kick Paul out of bed!) we headed over to feed and check everyone.  Paul did the boys whilst I did the girls and the chickens and checked on a couple of rabbits I'm looking after this weekend.

The girls were gathered in a circle in the middle of the filed staring at something.  Things like that always means something is going on.  In the middle of the gathering with the largest rat I have ever seen; dead!  I'm not sure if it had been stamped on or met another end.  Once I had moved it and fed everyone we headed off.

I usually knit when in the car and currently have a pair of booties on the go in the car.  Unfortunately one of my bamboo needles had snapped, but luckily it was long enough for me to finish my little project.

The vet talk was very good and well worth the early start and the drive, if anyone ever gets the opportunity to attend one of Karin's talks I would recommend you go.

This evening after packing a couple more boxes I did an hour's spinning.  I'm in trouble with Carol for not providing her with any hand spun yarn lately so I am trying to get some done so I can drop it off on Monday then I can complain if she hasn't used it by the end of the week.  Tee hee

Not enough hours in the day

Things are pretty hectic here at the minute hence the lack of blog last night, I was far too tired.

I spent yesterday at a Lady's Day in Jesmond with our knitwear, it has to be said it wasn't the most organised of events and I won't be rushing back there but it was interesting.

In between animals duties and box packing today we have been to see some Blackface sheep for the top of the hill. We had a guided tour and some really useful advice from a very experienced hill farmer.  Lots to think about now.

Tomorrow we are off to a vet talk so it will be another full day, the knitting is already in the car for the journey down, no time for sitting idle in my life.

Bits and bobs

I have been busy sorting and packing again today, I can't believe how difficult it is to pack everything when you know that you are going to have to dig to find bits and bobs over the next few months that are stored in one of two sea containers or at my parents or at Carols - nightmare!  I have been rather organised and every box in numbered with detail of it's contents.

I have a big bag of stuff for the charity shop and there is some other 'stuff' destined for the local tip unless it is wanted on freecycle.

Mia (my pet sheep, the one who won the sheep racing and thinks she's a short alpaca) is back to her old self again.  I've got to be honest I was getting rather worried about her.

I had a nice satisfied feeling this afternoon when I spotted a pair of my bramble bobble knitted wrist warmers walking past; on someones' hands obviously!  Tomorrow I'm off the Jesmond for a Ladies Day with all the Barnacre Knitwear so hopefully there will be lots more satisfied customers heading home with some of our luxury knitwear.  I must go and get it all ready.

Eating and snoring

Brinley seems to have decided that he is a big boy now and no longer wants his bottle, two sucks and he's had enough.  Geena has more milk this year than she's ever had, he's eating hard feed and gaining weight, albeit slowly so I am not too worried.  Here he is tucking into the Camelibra this morning.

I have been busy packing today it seems to be an endless task and one that is proving even more difficult knowing that we will have no space for anything in our tiny caravan so it may well stay packed for quite some time.

Whilst I was hard at work I heard snoring from the bedroom, for once it wasn't Paul, it was the cats.

Izzie fast off 

Smudge having a wash  before her next power nap.

Worst of all Tilly in the bed keeping my pj's warm.  It's a good job Paul wasn't about, and she was on my half (more like quarter) of the bed!

Post office farse

The weather has really turned quite autumnal today, still quite warm though.  The trees are dropping their leaves and the alpacas are enjoying chasing them, some to eat and some to roll in!

Having spent yesterday moving furniture from the mouse house I was slightly disturbed this morning when I got up to the realisation that there was still lots, and I mean lots, of 'stuff' still to be packed and moved.  In fact it hardly looks like anything is missing.  Where all our things are going to go eventually in our new little cottage I don't know.

I had the most ridiculous conversation in the post office this afternoon.  I had a specially ordered Barnacre Alpaca hat to post, and the lady behind the counter asked me if I wanted to send it as a large letter or a parcel.  At this point I said I didn't know which size it was which was why I had gone in. 

She proceeded to tell me that it could be a large letter if she squashed it but it may turn on to a parcel so what did I want to do.  Surely wasn't she supposed to tell me!  As it was for a customer I went for the parcel option and thanked her for her lack of help.

Alpaca visitors

We have had a busy day again today.  This morning a lovely couple came over to see the alpacas, they saw us at a show recently and are exploring alpaca ownership.

They seemed to enjoy the experience and loved Lady Godiva and Meketaten who as usual stole the show.  We really enjoy sharing our alpaca experiences with others and it is great to see how alpacas can capture peoples hearts.  It's hard to believe we ever had a life before alpacas, we could never go back now.

This afternoon we have been moving things up to the hill, thankfully Dave had offered his services which was good because even with my muscles I struggled to move some of our furniture.  We have spent all afternoon moving things yet the mouse house doesn't seem much emptier; I'm not sure how that has happened.

I forgot to take the camera with me up to the hill today but here is a picture I captured of Paul and Dave having took some wood up to the caravan to level it off.  It was getting dark so the quality isn't very good.

Thanks as always for the help Dave, and the tea and scone on our return Carol.  Sorry for the footprints too!!! 

Progress pictures

Well we haven't achieved many of the jobs on the To Do list today, there just aren't enough daylight hours anymore.

We have been up to the hill and checked on progress.  Here is Paul stood in what will be the lounge.

Looking down on the cottage and shed, not to mention the latest container for more storage.

We did manage to get the caravan up on site having checked that we could work everything this morning.  I was slightly concerned at one point when Paul had to take a bit of a run at getting up the hill and the van seemed to lean far too far one way for my liking.  Then we couldn't unhook the flipping thing from the car!

Anyway here is home, I took this photo from the car as we were going past!

Hopefully we will move some of the heavy furniture tomorrow as Dave has offered some assistance.