The boss was going to Tregurnog so I had a 15 minute lie in. I then had a shower and walked Skye. I could have probably had a 45 minute lie in because I was ready so early. With some ‘gained time’ I decided to do more VAT stuff. When it was time I went to warm the truck up a bit. Emma arrived first and then Meryl. It really was a beautiful morning.
The paddock always looks good when it’s frosty. With no sheep in there it stays pristine. It was the first frost of this winter too. We fed the wellfield crew and then went into the main field. Ewes were strolling around having just got up when they were warm enough. We saw lots of darker patches in amongst the frosty grass. These showed where the ewes had spent the night. These spots were warmed (and covered) by the ewes so weren’t frosted. Meryl took a photo and I’ve posted it. With that done we continued walking down.
We were greeted by the new plastic shed. It was just down from the livestock trailer on the fence side. There were 2 new bins in it. Neil had used his tried and tested (but annoying) merhod for securing something shut – twisting wire. I don’t have the patience for that. I left Emma and Meryl to indo it, I went for the sack of ram food. I emptied it into one of the feed bins. I got a new small bucket (courtesy of Sue and Andrew) I needed a bucket with a lid. I scooped half a bucket full and secured the lid. Really tightly. Then we fed Hennessey and finally headed up to the boys. They were eager for food so I put a handful out and then shut the gate. I then fed them properly. The teenage boys were crowding near the bottom corner of their field. I went in and they followed me easily. Emma went to get the harnesses. She had to leave the bucket with rams food just outside. Hence the need for a firmly fitting lid. There was a small gathering of ewes scrounging for dropped alpaca food. Meryl came in then and Emma came from the top.
They came in straight away for food. The only reluctant one was my nemesis – Popcorn. He did come in though. We put some food out and then I decided to catch Popcorn because he is the most challenging to capture. A few times around the pen and I had him. He squealed but stood still. Harness on. Casper was second and I passed him to Emma because she’d walked him on Monday. Garth Vader was just lurking so easy to catch. We got the bucket and went out of the catch pen. This was the 3rd or 4th time we’d gone from there to the feed buckets. It was becoming a routine so the boys were relatively OK about walking there. Casper was slow to start but got going in the end. They did so well that I wanted to push things. Meryl and Garth Vader started up the field and we tried to get the others to follow. Popcorn was a bit stop and start. He wasn’t amused at been walked. I could tell. I kept the lead lose and encouraged him to follow Vader. “He’ll do anything for Helen!” That swelled my head a bit. “Does he have personal space issues or does he want a cwtch?” “Yes!” Casper came most of the way but Popcorn and I got all the way to the bale and back. Reviews were a bit mixed. Popcorn is much better at walking but not keen on being touched. A large part of walking is being petted by visitors so that’s his target. Casper is happier at being touched and friendlier. He isn’t as advanced a walker though. However, great progress. On top of it all, Olaf closely followed Popcorn. He has a history of going psycho when harnessed but he clearly needs to be next. Al Paccino won’t be trained as yet. He’s still not well enough. I need to get his poo checked. That’s the first job the vets ask for. This would show up possible issues and avenues for treatment. If the poo is inconclusive, I’ll need to get Morgan out. I’ve got to do poo samples on Leo, Hennessey and Bramble too. I’m aiming for early next week on those.
We took the boys to their food buckets, told them how well behaved and clever they were and let them free. I fed them then and we went up to Neil’s new gate at the top of jail. We needed to find the rams to give them their food. They were about half way round but it was a nice morning for a walk. We sent them to the trough but they got nervous. There are two ewes in with them, number 21 and Blossom. I put the food down but they were afraid to come for food. Blossom, as a former pet lamb and thoroughly greedy ewe, tucked right in 🤦♀️ We were now right next to the blue shelter pen. The alpacas were waiting for us. We went in. I put their food in the trough, Meryl shut the gate and Emma got the harnesses. Showtime for the babies.
Crouchie was right in front of us. He had strands of grass hanging out of both sides of his mouth. “He’s volunteering.” Off we went to catch him. Off he went faster. After a few laps of the area, we herded him into the blue shelter with his mother. We managed to let her out last minute. She deserted him without a second glance. Emma grabbed him and I harnessed him. I wanted him out of the shelter, into the open where he would jump about. I had to get the “jumping about” out of him. He had plenty to give too. He was bucking about like a mad thing. They have to learn that the jumping about doesn’t get the loose. He was ok to be petted and stroked. I also talked to him. When he was calm, I let him loose. He did well. It was the chunky one, Garth Maul next.
I almost caught him several times. I also almost slipped in the mud several times. We had to send him into the blue shelter area too. He was calmer today and has worked some of his bucking out. He was more difficult to move though but, sooooooo soft. He likes to just stand, with his head down, pretending he’s not there. Not ideal for a walker but these babies are young yet. It’s just early stages of their training. I was eyeing up Noonoo next so once Maul was calm I released him. Noonoo was right by me I pounced but I was too slow. Bugger. We tried a few times but I don’t want to chase him. He comes near because his mother, Eden comes near. I’m hoping he’ll be more like Vader and comfortable around humans rather than being trained as such. Job done for the morning.
We left Garth Hall to go and see Ally and then we went home. I thanked them both. Emma was hoping to help again on Monday too. Meryl came in for us to plan something for our annual joint birthday get together. I did dinner then and almost finished the VAT return. 2.30 came around and I had to go for my Covid vaccination. In the Duster. What a horrible journey. Have I mentioned how much I hate that car? Awful thing. Anyway. Neil did the evening shift at Garth Hall and I finished the VAT return at last. Woohoo! I was determined not to succumb to the side effects of the vaccine. I was determined but I didn’t quite make it. I started to feel rough. I couldnt even manage the blog. So, it’s a day late.
I spent Saturday morning under layers and layers of clothes, a thick fluffy dressing gown, a fleece blanket and clutching a hit water hotter. I watched two Christmas films and finally started warming up by the afternoon. Hopefully I’m coming through it. Fingers crossed, two walks tomorrow.
Helen x
