There were big plans for today and you know where my plans usually end up? We were expecting a walk for 4 at 10am, weather permitting. Neil was going to Tregurnog to fence while the ground was less soggy after a few dry days. I was picking Beth up at 8 and then meeting Emma after that. That was the plan, however, I had an IBS flare up in the night, the cramps kept me awake for a long time and then I struggled to go back to sleep. My body clock woke me at 5.26 exactly. The clock was pleased, my body was not. I managed to snooze until 6.15 but I was wide awake, then. I felt crappy but I was awake.
As I was earlier than I’d planned, I organised for Emma to pick Beth up so I could get to the farm earlier. Chickens first and 2 eggs. I eagerly went to the wellfield, anticipating at least one set of twins and a single in there. All I could see was big, uncomfortable ewes and Baarbaara with her twins. I heard car doors as I walked back and met Emma and Beth. We went to the barn so I could feed Rascal and to make sure Dawn and the other ewe had water. They were OK so it was outfield next. We caught up on news as we walked around. I haven’t seen Emma for a week and Beth hasn’t been for ages. Once again, no new lambs. I was still waiting on news if the walk was going ahead so we couldn’t feed the alpacas just yet. I emptied the poover out and went to the poo corridor for another crack at clearing it up. I left Emma and Beth to bag that lot up and it was a lot. That job would have taken me a few sessions as it’s back breaking on my own. With two of them taking turns they did a cracking job very quickly. I did a lot of the poo corridor but of course it had been restocked somewhat overnight 🤦♀️ I heard back from my walking group. They were going to have to reschedule due to ill health. We left the poo then to go back up. They had filled 9 bags.
Back at the barn, Beth collected the egg and then the two in the railway carriage. There was a 4th one in the chicken shed. They went in the truck and we headed to Cai. I needed to fill a small Jerry can with fuel and then a chocolate tub was filled with ewe rolls. Back to the barn to share the ewe rolls out. They had water but were given a bit of fresh hay. I messaged Neil to see if he agreed it was OK to let them out as the weather was better than we’d expected but he didn’t reply. I emptied the recycling bag and left it in the airlock so I could put it out for collection at home tomorrow. I would see it on the way back and take it with us.
I filled the two buckets with food while Emma and Beth set the pedestrian barriers up to make a small pen in the weanlings feeding area. I collected the extra small and small halters ready for the first halter training session. Hennessey happened to walk right by me, into my arm. I grabbed her. The extra small fitted over her muzzle but would not go around the fluff on her neck. The small almost reached. I sent Beth back to the shelter for the pink harness and the green one with red piping. They were medium ones but on the small side of medium. The pink one did up. Just. But as I wrestled her, Hennessey dropped to the ground. She wasn’t moving. Emma then managed to grab Bramble. She had the green + red piping halter on. Bramble wasn’t keen and twisted and turned to try to get away. Hennessey stayed put, refusing to move even when I tried lifting her. They had their turn, it was time for the younger two next. I grabbed Buttercup and got the small purple harness over her muzzle. She went ballistic. She backed up onto Hennessey and then jumped all over her. Even though the harness was gone, Hennessey still refused to move, but Buttercup wouldn’t keep still. She was going mental. She tried to high jump over a pedestrian barrier. Clearly no one has explained to her that alpacas don’t challenge fences. She almost cleared it too! She jerked out of my grasp and then got her leg stuck in the barrier. Emma acted swiftly and stood on the lead so I was able to grab it. Buttercup freed herself then and I talked to her in a vain attempt to calm her down. When she stopped freaking outbsomewhat, I was able to reach and undo the halter, freeing her. Hennessey still remained seated when Emma caught McQueen. He wasn’t calm but not as jumpy as Buttercup. Again, when he calmed, he was released. Luckily we had fed them before we’d haltered them. Day one of halter training went similarly to day one of everyone’s halter training – a complete shit show🤦♀️
We fed the boys next and then went over to see the girls. Emma fed the rams while Beth hand fed Eden, Betty Boo, Cloud and Livia. I videoed her. After that it was time for a final check before going home. No one was lambing. At some point during the halter training, Neil said to let them out of the barn so we did that. It wasnt easy. Dawn wanted to stay in I’m sure. There were two ewes missing but we finally found Molly and Blossom in the railway carriage. By now the lack of sleep and the amount of walking and calories burned yesterday caught up with me. I didn’t know what I was doing anymore. Each step felt like it was through treacle. Emma reminded me about the recycling bag so I went back for that. We made plans for the next time each of them will be free and I went home to do Sunday dinner.
I didn’t end up going back up, nothing was happening. Neil was there chilling with the sheep. I rested at home. And then, my phone went off. It was a message on the chat. My fitbit watch said Neil had sent a photo. Excitedly I opened it. It was one of Munchie, implying she was cheesed off. I flipping was too! A bit later there was a video. Here we go was written on it. Munchie was in the barn, pawing the ground. This is a sign of lambing. “Have you seen a waterbag then?” This precedes the pawing stage. Neil replied that he hadn’t and was going home for a torch. I impatiently waited and waited to hear any updates. Eventually he messaged “She’s gone back out now!” So she was pawing the ground to get comfortable rather than anything else.
I’m not going to lie, it’s ts not been the best mother’s day because I was tired and short tempered. Riley didn’t wake up for me to cwtch him either. When I asked if I could wake him, Jordan and my father both said “No!” really sternly 😂 At least I had a lovely card from Riley and of course cards and presents from Josh and Jordan. It was Jordan’s first mother’s day on the receiving end and she had a pretty nomination charm, that I’m rather jealous of. There’s plenty to be grateful for, I’m just in a stroppy mood from being tired so I’ll be fine tomorrow. AS LONG AS THERE ARE NEW LAMBS!
But, who knows 🤦♀️
Helen x
