I was physically shattered yesterday but my mind was working overtime so my sleep was restless and I woke up late. Its never really possible to catch up. A load of washing and a phone with Jordan, also added to it. Anyway, I was met by Rascal and we let the ducks out. I used to seeing alpacas waiting by the wall garden gate when I’m late so it was strange not to see them. Of course there were different alpacas there now so I went off in search of them. I was met by Bramble and one of the crias, not sure who at a distance, with a big load of hay hanging out of his mouth. We bumped into Theadora, leaving the barn so I called out my usual “Come on girlies.” They turned and ran! 😯 To be honest, I wasn’t surprised. We got them in yesterday and dragged them into the trailer so they were nervous of me at the moment. Upon reflection, I realise with the 3 little boys in there, I’ll have to change my call anyway 😂 Little Tex was eating out of the trough. Well done little man. He looked at me for a while and came closer before realising all the other alpacas had gone so he went out. I put the fresh lot of food out as I knew they were eating, even if it was when I wasn’t around.
I crossed the brook, down by the LST and saw two ewes in the podfield. The same podfield where we had blocked the hole yesterday 🤦♀️ This time, Munchie was joined by Molly but of course Munchie had been the instigator. I was certain of it. When I got nearer I saw that she had pushed the hurdle which was tied to the barrier at the top. Her persistent pushing had caused the hurdle to topple somewhat and she had squeezed her fat arse through the gap. I needed to tie things top and bottom. I checked the LST and found a reel of blue rope. I then spent 10 minutes or so trying to get my blunt penknife to cut through the rope. When it was done I was more than a bit cross. I stormed off to oust the two naughty woollies. I opened the hurdle and ended up chasing Molly round the field three times before she went out. Munchie knew where to go but the short fat so-and-so side stepped me twice. Once they were out I secured things while Munchie glared at me 😂
I sorted out the buckets next. There are more girls in the main field and there are still some showing signs of losing weight so I needed to uptake the food. That meant added ewe nuts to their portion and a bit more alpaca mix and Camelibra. I had to plan this carefully. The buckets would be heavy, there were thieving ewes about and the tractor ruts are almost waist deep. Admittedly I’m short but still the ruts are deep 😂 So, the plan was an empty lick bucket with the alpaca mix and Camelibra. I put the rams portion in a Quality Street tub, which went on top. The former big bucket had the ewe nuts with Ffion’s tub on top. They were relatively heavy so I had to take the boys their food separately. I fed them and then went back for all the big buckets. I decided to walk through the podfield on this occasion with them to avoid the mud. The girls had the usual lot first, from the big lick bucket. Then I went back and tipped the ewe nuts out. There would be room for it all in there but it would be too heavy 🤬I fed Ffion and the rams were at the top trough. I went up and fed them which made me remember to open the far field gate. It’s open for the girls to go in and out. I put the buckets back in the LST and walked back up.
On my way, I rang Arthur John’s. The Camelibra was in so I needed to go there after the farm. I called into the barn and checked all the marker spray bottles. There were numerous ones, all practically empty so I knew I had to get more of those 😂 I went straight to look for those on arrival. I got a red, a blue, a green and an orange. I also picked up a shepherd’s crook for Emma. I had lamb creep for the barn alpacas because the boy crias can have that, I also got more ewe nuts for the girl alpacas. That was loaded into the truck by one of the staff members. Which was lucky because I would be unloading it! After dinner and walking Skye, I did have time for a little 45 minute rest then it was back to Garth Hall.
I drove to Cai and started the unloading process. There were five 20kg Camelibra sacks so that was 100kg. There were four 25kg sacks, making another 100kg. I ought to sleep tonight! And the sale of Hennessey and Bramble is back on for Monday 👏
Helen x
