I went to Garth Hall to open earlier than usual. It was already raining so even though that’s all I was doing, I had the full waterproofs on. I kept my hair tucked up in my hood, because I was going from there to the hair dressers. 4 hours later, I left and got some chips. I inhaled them because I was starving by that point 😂 I put all the waterproof gear back on to walk Skye to protect the hair because I was heading out an hour later to meet my friends.
We had a lovely catch-up and a nice meal. I left Longbow at 5.50 and with the dreadful weather and plenty of traffic, I got to Garth Hall at 6pm. I was worried it was going to get dark while I was there but the day was just dismal because of the rain and mist. I pushed the car seat right back and proceeded to spend nearly 10 minutes trying to manoeuvre into an extra pair of socks, waterproof trousers, wellies, a cap and a waterproof jacket. It was awkward and I’m no contortionist. I’m too short and fat but needs must. I wasn’t changing clothes outside in the rain!
A sopping wet Charles Bronson was strutting her stuff around the car and the pristine white (now the rain has washed them) ducks were loving the rain. I wasn’t so much. I took the jeep and drove to the alpacas. The boys were nowhere to be seen and the podfield girls were over in the corner. Not in the pod but out in the rain 🤦♀️ They soon appeared for food apart from Ffion. She took ages to come for food. Possibly unnerved by the lateness of her breakfast. She approached her bucket by a circuitous route but made it in the end. There was one lone alpaca visible in the boys field when I left the podfield. Word soon spread that “the feeding woman” had finally arrived. By then word had also reached the girls so they were waiting for me too. I counted them and it was time to drive back.
I had been a tad concerned about driving down the slope in such wet conditions. I had no concerns about driving up. I got the jeep to the bottom of the slope and started up. Almost at the top, it started to wheel spin and I couldn’t get any further. I reversed down a bit, but couldn’t get a grip there either, despite being in 4wd. It’s not a gear 4wd though, it’s a dial. I ended up going half way back down and then turning slowly so I could go up a slightly different route. I’ll know in future that I need to go where the grass isn’t so flat and worn.
I went to the barn and Rascal leisurely came down from his perch on top of the hay. It must be boiling uo there 😁 After he was fed, I headed back out into the rain to feed the ducks and Peckys. Ideally, I wanted to feed ducks, then the Peckys and leave. However, the ducks were way too busy enjoying themselves and stayed by Barry 🙄 I fed the Peckys and collected 4 eggs. “Come on then!” They quacked and waddled after me. I got them in and fed them. Once I was home, I kept all the waterproofs on and walked Skye. My shirt was really wet despite the waterproofs 🤷♀️ I was happy to have a shower and put some dry clothes on.
It was still just about light when I’d finished.
Helen x
