Jobs worth at the Post Office

After a lovely weekend it absolutely threw it down during the night so I was expecting to have all the mud back, but I'm pleased to say it was much better than I expected.

After the usual morning routine I had to nip to the post office, the quad needed taxing and I had a couple of things to post.  Being the last day of the month and a Monday the queue was huge, to make matters worse when I eventually got to the counter the extremely miserable woman behind the counter refused to issue a new tax disc.

Despite having the renewal notice from DVLA and my insurance documentation because the certificate of insurance stated the chassis number rather than the registration mark of the quad they wouldn't do it.  I was not amused.  I tried my damnedest to get her to do it, after all the document they had sent only asked for the renewal notice and insurance certificate, but it wasn't working.

So it looks like another trip to Morpeth for me then.  I wouldn't mind but there is so much going on here at the minute I don't have the time to drive backwards and forwards to Morpeth.  Carol is also going to be back in a couple of days and I haven't spun her anywhere near enough yarn yet!

Hughie supervisors visitors

Many thanks for the very kind comments and emails following yesterdays blog, it is really nice to receive comments and have some interaction with you all.

After a lovely weekend with family, we waved them off, having packed Archie  (10 month old Nephew) a nice freshly laid egg, it was still warm for his breakfast later in the week.  I couldn't give him any more as we'd eaten them all!!

No sooner has they left we had more visitors who enjoyed walking round the paddock making plans.  Hughie kept a close eye on everything, I think he was trying to listen in to see if they were doing it right!  Golden Guinea was enjoying posing too, he really does know how to look good for the camera.

I have a very busy week planned so much so I think I need to write myself a list before I forget anything.

Happy Birthday Barnacre Alpacas

I can't believe it is four years today since our first three alpacas arrived.  How things have grown and developed following the arrive of those three pregnant females; not a day goes by that I don't thank my lucky stars we decided to follow our dream and go for it.

We have had a busy day, Paul's brother Dean, his wife Jodi and our gorgeous nephew Archie are up for the weekend.  We've not seen them for a while so it has been great fun.  Archie had a whale of a time feeding the weanling's carrot this morning, he took a little persuading to give the carrot to the alpacas and not eat it himself though!

Typical I forgot to take my camera out this morning, then this evening he wasn't so keen and needed a little encouragement from Daddy.  Here he is feeding Godiva who is happy to take carrot from anyone.

Then this afternoon Rosemary and Carl from Westhill Alpacas popped in to say hello and see the alpacas, and Miminus in particular.  Rosemary and I have conversed for a while now on the blog and email so it is great to get to meet in person.  I was also able to show her Carol's socks!

Having visitors is always a great excuse to get close up and personal with the alpacas and everyone was very well behaved and happy to show off their fleeces. 

After falling in love with Sandstorm (hopefully a future herd sire) we went to meet the weanlings who are always at the fence to greet us.  Once we managed to get through the gate there were a queue of noses wanting to introduce themselves. 

Rosemary was particularly keen to compare our little Minimus to the size of her Greeves, I think it was an excuse for a cuddle really!  Just to help you compare Rosemary here you both are, with your other friend Meketaten who fell at your feet.

Luckily for us Rosemary & Carl turned up in a small car, if not I think they may have tried to sneak a couple of four legged passengers back to Dorset!

Foot update

It has been a lovely day again today, well after a quick drizzle shower this morning which resulted in a mad dash to fetch my washing in. 

Mary's foot is the same, although she is now walking almost normally.  I had a feel of the lump today, feeling it didn't worry her at all.  It is hard, not warm or tender at all.  I will keep a close eye on it and see what happens.

Hughie and Golden Guinea had a bit of a to do this morning. Guinea decided that he would follow Paul onto the back lawn to feed the chickens which caused Hughie great concern.

He went absolutely mad, screeching and trying to push his was through the fence to get to Guinea who completely ignored him.  Hughie definitely didn't like the fact that Guinea was closer to the house than he was!

The herd will be pleased to hear that we took delivery of a new pallet of Camelibra  feed today, luckily for us David was about with his forklift or it would have meant moving 50 sacks by hand. 

Rolling a marble

It has been a gloriously sunny warm day today which was great as I had some outside jobs that needed doing. 

My parents headed home mid morning, so I didn't have my enthusiastic poo picking helper to help.  Mum always seems to get poo picking duties in the rain and mud!

Mary is walking much better today, in fact she is now back to running from one feed trough to another and back to you again.  Despite this, she still managed to eat more than most of the herd do to the rapid value she consumes in one mouthful.

Although she is walking much better a lump has appeared today on her toe.  I managed to get a picture of Mary's marble!

It has definitely not been there before, and the soreness appeared much further up the leg.  She had been examined from toe to thigh and she never flinched when I was at her feet.  All very odd I will check it in the morning and deal with it if necessary then.

Whilst I was out poo picking with the camera I almost managed to catch LMI (Little Miss Irraqquoy) with all four legs in the air, she does love a good roll does Irraquoy.

Quagmire quarantine

We had a lot more rain over night and the gateway from Guinea to the other big boys is a complete mess.  Hughie is constantly on guarding duties and paddling through the mud, making a complete mess of the field and himself.

So after mum and I had finished the morning feed routine I bought up some hurdles from down the lane to block off Hughie's quagmire.  He wasn't very impressed but needs must I'm afraid Mr Hubert you are making too much mess!  And so much for today's weather improving as the day went on, it got duller and duller.

I was in trouble with Paul when he got back from a few days working away, his quad is rather dirty - well he does tell me off for not using it and carrying everything by hand; I can't win!

I'm pleased to say that Mary is improving and is now putting weight on her back leg, hopefully she will be 100% again very soon.

This evening I've been busy spinning some of Chiquita, I received a text from Carol saying that she is almost out of wool so I don't want her sat there twiddling her thumbs.  Mum has knitted a hat today, so she too is getting low on supplies.  It's a good job it will be shearing time again soon.

A day of two halves

After completing the morning feeding routine and giving dad a few jobs to do to keep him occupied mum and I set about stocking the shop.  Mum was busy knitting whilst I washed some more lovely stock, I'm hoping to have even more knitwear this year so I can fit in a few more events.

This afternoon with the sun out we set about doing some field cleaning, it has to be said with the state of the fields I've been loathed to drive round them cleaning so there was a lot to do.  Plus I'd not done Guinea's since he moved out at the weekend.

As you can see the girls were catching a few rays....

however once I got  out into the field the clouds arrived shortly followed by the rain; sorry girls!

Spoilt; what us...

Following yesterdays weaning I'm pleased to say that everything was calm this morning.  There was still a fair bit of humming going on but everyone soon tucked in to their breakfast.

The mums were all fine too, Geena is the only one who really seems that bothered that they are responsibility free for a few months.  Geena is a really stressy sort of girl who hates change so we always know what to expect.

Poor Mary is struggling a bit today, she has done something to her back leg and isn't wanting to put any weight on it.  There is no signs of anything untoward and it isn't stopping her from getting round, I don't suppose carrying round eight months worth of cria growth inside her is helping.  She always has a huge baby bulge by the time she gets round to birthing.

My mum and dad arrived this evening which was nice, carrots for the alpacas and cheesecake for me - aren't we all lucky!  Oh yes and there was some more knitting.