I had a walk booked with someone who had a visitor from Los Angeles. As much as I’m not very peopley, I do like meeting people from somewhere else. I was running a bit late. There were several messages about parts for the Mule and some messages from Josh. I got to the farm just after 9. I let the ducks out and drove to the trailers. It was too wet to drive down but driving that far helped. I unhooked the bucket and waved it around a bit. Garth Vader came straight in. The greedy little so and so 😂 Popcorn and McQueen came in next. I had enough for the walk. I walked back up and drove back out. I fed Rascal and then walked up to meet the visitors. I had been waiting a few minutes when they came.
They were amongst the top 10 most excited visitors I have ever had! They took loads of selfies before we even got to the selfie spot. After the walk, we did the feeding. When we got to the girls field, I noticed Arwen a bit further up the field, away from the main crowd. I didn’t think much of it as she does sometimes go off on her own. I went in and up to the trough and then I noticed. “She’s had her baby!” It has taken such a long time to get her pregnant. Eden was due first and there was Arwen with her baby. I was beyond delighted. I thought of the visitors first and we did the hand feeding. In the meantime, Arwen and her cria had come over for food. I let her eat out of the bucket. She deserves it. Clever girl! My visitors helped me weigh the little one. Another girl! Imagine then? But this one is so special. Arwen’s first and one of Tex’s so she is precious. She weighed 6.2kg so only little, but that’s alright, she’s a first time mother. McQueen was that weight so that’s good.
We walked up and said our goodbyes. It was a good visit. I rushed home, and had a cup of tea. I’d been talking for 2 hours, it’s thirsty work. I walked Skye and rushed to Jordan’s to babysit Riley. Jordan had made me a jacket potato and salad so I had that. Riley looked but he had eaten and he wasn’t particularly interested. I had a little bit of chocolate after. I offered him half a square which he snatched and devoured 😂 He likes chocolate, but isn’t allowed too much. I watched Celebrity Google box while Riley kept passing me his tablet to put different toddler things on. I’ve listened to “the wheels on the bus” way too many times 🙄 I love him to bits but that was doing my head in!
I went to the Post Office when Jordan came back and then home for a bit. I had another cup of tea and then went back to Garth Hall. I drove down to the alpacas to check on Arwen and her little one. She was wandering about, sometimes with Greyce. Now I don’t want her getting in with ‘a bad crowd’ 😂 I watched her for ages. Arwen would occasionally call her. When newborn cria get away from their mothers, they let out quite a high pitched, panicked sounding hum. Arwen was doing that a lot to call her baby back. There was no sign of her feeding though which worried me. Neil couldn’t make it so I was on my own. If he’d been there I would have suggested catching Arwen and checking her teats. The only thing I could do for peace of mind was weigh her again. I carried her to the shelter. Arwen followed, making the panicked hums. I shut the gate and got the scales. I always weigh twice. There was a little difference between the weights. She’s either about the same or put on a bit of weight. That made me feel a bit better. I would like to have seen her suckle though. I shut the gate and when I looked over, she looked like she was suckling but at a distance I couldn’t confirm.
I went back up and drove to the barn. Nellie and Wonder were in the field. I did considere not bothering to feed them. It would have been easier. Then, somehow, despite his lack of sight, Wonder ran down the field calling. He must have heard me! I fed them and Rascal then went to Cai for Pecky food. They all dashed in but I knew they would follow me out. I took the bucket with their food. They swarm around by your feet, its a bloody nightmare trying to walk. I noticed there was only one brown one and two grey ones. Those two missing ones were back in Cai stuffing their beaks 🤬 I shook the bucket and called. They were so deep in the layers pellets they didn’t hear me. I shut the others in the run and went back for them. I took that opportunity to shut the ducks in their run. Then I shooed the naughty two out and into Barry. I let the others from the run into Barry. They were in. I went back and fed the ducks. I was done for the evening.
When I got home, I walked Skye then showered and changed. I was making myself a bagel for tea when I got some videos from Neil. I knew it! He couldn’t make it to the farm for the evening (which I don’t mind at all) But I thought he would make it at some point. He doesn’t like the alpacas, because they spit. He is very fond of Arwen though. He even had Nellie with him 🤦♀️ It was funny though. I’ll post the photo at some point but she’s photo bombed the cria 😂 And then finally, Neil saw the little one suckle so that was great news. Just in time for me to go to bed after a long day.
Helen x
