Mechanical issues and some shocking news

Despite all the recent rain, we still have to top up the water for the girls. The rain is topping up the water for the weanlings and the boys as there are less of them. I’ve been crossing the brook just by the office, via a few stepping stones although it was shallow enough. But after the heavy rainfall those stones have gone. Thankfully I have sturdy waterproofs and wellies!

Neil uses a petrol pump to pump water from the brook across the field via old fire hoses. One hose ends appropriately where the baths are for the boys and weanlings. A second hose can be joined at this point to get water over to the girls’ field. He set up the pump and I walked across the field. As I approached the bath there were several long seconds of gurgling before water spouted out of the hose into the bath. A thumbs up from me meant Neil turned the water off. Job done.

On Monday evening, despite more rain I was eager to get a poo pick done in the boys’ field. It’s not so easy to get in there without someone manning the gates and Josh was with me. First I picked poo in the catch pen where Leo is shut in to eat. He doesn’t let Hector eat otherwise. It’s too small to turn round in so I shut the poover off and Josh manually turned it. He also lifted the quadling back end around. The poover was reattached and off I went.

I struggled a bit to get up the field as its steep. I now know to go diagonally. Straight up won’t work. I got to a big poo pile, got off the quadling and tried to restart the poover. Over and over again. The rain was lashing down. My hair was hanging in tendrils all over my face as the wind was blowing the hood off so I’d given up on that! I decided to check the fuel. Only bloody empty wasn’t it 🤬

Josh was in the office loading feed buckets. No way he would hear me. Too wet to ring on my mobile so off I go back down the field. I manage to shoo Hector far enough away to get out of the gate. No handbrake on the quadling so stopping is difficult but staying stopped is a trick in itself. I shut the gate then went to the weanling pen and drove through that.

Josh filled the poover with petrol and I decided it was worth topping up the quadling. “Is there enough of this I asked?” Holding up the 2 stroke. “Yes, you only need a few drops.” I wasn’t sure but…

I went back into the boys field and carried on where I left off. I was facing the route down to the alpaca field. In the distance I could see Neil’s quad lights through the driving rain. When I finished I headed to the weanling field where Josh and Neil were talking. The gestured frantically at me to turn the quadling off. We had made a mistake. We NEEDED the 2 stroke oil or it would seize the engine. Oh heck! I need that quadling.

In the morning, I made sure Josh brought the 2 stroke. He put some in the quadling fuel tank. We assumed this would be fine. WRONG again! 🤦‍♀️ Neil told us not to use it. He had to syphon the fuel out. This caused it to mix properly so it went back in then. Finally I was able to poo pick again. Yay! Lots of catching up to do. It doesn’t sound like the best job but I love it. It’s therapeutic 😊

Neil also gave me lots of tips on driving around safely on the quad. He also suggested using the quadling to pull the trolley round. Awesome idea. It’s sooooo heavy when pulling it through the mud. I should be able to save time and pick more poo. So, if anyone needs alpaca poo fertilizer, don’t forget to get in touch on messenger or email.

And now for the big news. I have been working for RCT Access & Inclusion for 13 years. Since 2014, I have been getting more involved with the farm. My involvement at Garth Hall increases every year. Since Lockdown, I have re-evaluated a lot of things in my life. Josh and I purchased the alpacas and opened up the farm for walks and visits over Whitsun 2021. I had the best Summer on the farm, working almost every day for about 16 hours a day. Having to return to my paid job was difficult after enjoying myself so much. As a consequence of this, I had a very challenging time during the autumn term with my mental health. A chat with Josh and Jordan helped. Josh said to me “You had the best time this summer and I don’t think you wanted to go back did you?” Jordan said “Whatever you do we will support you!”

So decision made. I was going to resign. Teachers have only 3 set times they are able to finish. My time was going to be Easter. However, since Christmas I have struggled even more. I have been off with stress/anxiety for a few weeks now. After a recent discussion with HR, I am going to be able to leave at the end of February. I’m going to be a full-time farmer 😁👏

Helen x