Black Eyed Peas.......what a Hell of a Kick !!...Painful !

Zeto and Duke...grazing.....

Zullulah....she is still a baby ......

Bottoms up......Trienza (Fawn) Zullulah and Zienna......there is only a week age difference between Zullulah and Zienna.......

It has been a sunny Sunday as usual there is always something to do......

I have been busy doing a bit of gardening.....today as there is a sniff of Spring and the garden is starting to sprout into life.....

The alpacas are enjoying the better weather and finding the new grass starting to show.

Now just as a little reminder to myself...I have noticed that Duke has a hell of a kick on him...usually when he is play fighting with Zeto....but I must say I have noticed that he does a really naughty high kick...I have often thought to myself....I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that......

Well tonight .....I found myself...exactly where I didn't want to be !!!!!!!!!!!!! and yes....I was kicked...as I was walking behind him....bringing them in for bed time....that will teach me to get so close....but I just can't help having a little fleece squeeze when the baby boys come in !!!

For my trouble I got a right old kick......I felt the draft off the force.....and he caught me right in a lady place !......(my lady bumps !) to be precise...for those who like the Black Eyed Peas !!

Just to make it that little bit more painful....I had my quad keys in my top pocket of my overall.....and boy did it hurt !!

So that will teach me.......Duke does tend to get a little over excited.....with most things...and coming in for bed....and going out to play is some of them......

At this rate I will need a safety vest, for Duke,...along with a Spit Visor for Minstrel.....a hard hat for tumbling and some extra life insurance.......maybe I should just get a helper......and send them into the dangerous world of Alpacaring !!

I have a busy day tomorrow....I have a bit of a secret job......top secret actually.....I have a mission......

That's all I can say...........

For those who know........it will be exciting....and for those who don't know........

Mums....the word !!

Tumbling.....Norris !! ...

Poor........Norris !!

Minstrel !!..........

I have a new carder !!....Pocus .....is holding it to ransom .....

Slinky....having a snooze...in the sun ......

Dougal ..............

It has been another lovely day up here in bonny Scotland......

I have had a bit of a feedtastic week......I went for two bales of straw on Tuesday, then for a bale of silage on Wednesday....and today........I managed to get two extra bales of hay, mostly for the horses....so I am back to having plenty of supplies.....hopefully this will last me through into the summer......

On Thursday afternoon I was busy chain harrowing the 10 acre field with the tractor....to remove some of the old dead grass and to allow the new growth through for the coming summer.......

Tonight as usual I get my alpacas in for bed.......and tonight was no exemption !

The older boys were waiting at the gate for bedtime, now there is a bit of a bedtime rush to the barn.....and by the time I sort the gate out most of the boys and usually Norris are down to the other gate and heading for the barn.

I'm usually a bit behind the rush to bed ....however when I looked......I saw poor Norris......swept of his feet....I think he must have lost his balance.....in the mad bedtime rush...he was thrashing around on his back......and couldn't get up.....some of the alpacas ran round him....almost over him..and then to add insult to injury...Socks..who is a quiet fella...decided to flatten Norris...I think it was his change at asserting a bit of authority on the disadvantaged...Norris.......by the time I got there.......Socks had realised it wasn't another alpaca and got off....and followed the others.....

Norris was wriggling around on his ever so square back...a big disadvantage ....when you're stuck...on it.....I started to run to help right him....and he was fighting to right himself....by the time I got there..he had just managed to turn himself....

Ah........poor Norris....he got up and was shocked to say the least.....to add further insult to injury..he had a big dirty nose....when he kissed the dust !!

I didn't have my phone....on me to take a picture......but Norris was shocked and so was I......

I'm thinking of putting him in the chicken area for the summer when I have my big change round for the summer......

Must be something about this field....it wasn't that long ago...I was rolling down there...when Rosemary and Carl came to visit !!....making a fool of my self...so I gave Norris a bit of a cuddle tonight....well after all I can sympathise !!

The Mood is Changing !....and Satisfied Customers

Zullulah.....she is a sweety !!

Minstrel is a spit monster....and miserable at times !! on guard ...and not happy !!

On my way back with the cows.....tea !!......nearly home.....

Job nearly done.....

Two very satisfied customers.......Haggis and Dougal....with their tea !.....enjoy !!

It has been another lovely day here....dry which is the main thing....however not as warm as some down south !

However despite the weather being nice...a certain spit monster is lurking and as predicted has been very unpleasant.....especially last night I got the full force of Minstrel ! I was covered and stinking....now as of previous years.....when she is into her last three months of pregnancy she is a miserable monster.....and I can hardly even look at Zienna....her last baby !

Minstrel is not the nicest alpaca at the moment....and I have had thoughts of selling her....when she is like this......she is to be watched as can be quite volatile !! Not the nicest experience I must say.....so we are on Minstrel alert !! and as long as you know what you're dealing with...you can hopefully pre-empt her moods.....

Today after my field time.....and Minstrel on moody guard.....I had to go and get some silage for my cows.......as there still isn't much grass for them......at the moment...

Well it was a bit of an experience to say the least....the trailer was groaning with the weight and a little modification was required...a pallet to spread the weight.

Well I managed and we made it home and I had two happy satisfied customers....all that was needed was to take the silage off the trailer....and deliver it to Haggis and Dougal...who were waiting patiently.....

So tonight....I have two happy Highland Cows.....

and one Miserable Minstrel.......boy I'm pleased my other alpacas are more pleasant !!

There is always one....isn't there !!

Meet ..........Big Bertha !!

Big Bertha.....and Duke today.....

Zeto and Duke.......he always.....flips his tail up......when ever he see's me !!

The Black Orpingtons.....and Big Bertha....out and about today !!.......

Zeto and Duke.....out grazing and enjoying alittle bit of sunshine.....!!

Mr Orpington is trying to woo.....Big Bertha.....!!!

On Saturday I received a lovely Birthday present from my friends, Anna and John.

They had been to a local poultry sale and I think that they had got a bit carried away, coming home with a number of new hens.....one of which was to be a lovely new Birthday present for me.....

So when I went round to see them......I quickly spotted a huge brown hen...who I thought was lovely.......she is the size of a hot air balloon !! I have called her Big Bertha....and she has come to live with me.....she was quickly squashed into a transport box and whisked away over to me....before they changed their minds......and wanted to keep her !!!

So here are a couple of photos..of Big Bertha....enjoying the sunshine today...she has settled in very well and she has decided to put herself to bed in the cockerel box.....with the old Wellsummer cockerel......she has had some male admirers...I have two cockerels...an old Wellsummer and a lovely Black Orpington.....also a present.....thankfully they get on together and both fancy the new girl...she hasn't made her mind up who's gang she is joining...but I think she might go with the Orpington gang....however tonight she is sitting with the other boy.....maybe she will just 'float' between the two.........being the hugest.....brown hen...I've ever seen !!

What a lovely Birthday present.....and it makes it all worth while......nice presents...when you're getting older.......just as long as you don't forget where you put them !!

The Magic of Mints !!.....Alpacatastic !!!

Trienza and Tremona....coming to see me......

Trienza.......she loves a Mint !!.....

Minstrel and Zienna......she watches her like a hawk.........mother and daughter....!!

Zakhura.....looking for the mints !!.......

Closest.....Marquette mother of Zullulah....in the Middle...and Dusty Grandma behind !! having a bit og a grazing competition !!.....

It has been a lovely sunny day here today....mind you don't be fooled...its been freezing !

I have been at home today....no retail therapy for me.....the shoptastic Birthday extravaganza was a lovely day.......and I must thank all my blog readers for the very kind B'day wishes.....

I have spent the day in good company....with my animal friends....I was busy in the barn doing an odd job....well actually repairing a hay fork.......its one of my favourites...and I sort of squashed it a bit with Daisy the digger.....! :0)

So I have repaired it....it is now..perfect for the vertically challenged....not that Im not that way inclined.....but its...definitely alot shorter.....now !! But at least I can use it.....

I was busy repairing the hay fork and I noticed that the girls were having a bit of a pronk......so I sort of got distracted....I went out to see them in high spirits.....I also took a packet of mints.....with me..some of the girls do like a mint or two !!

So here is the evidence.....of the magic of mints....!!

and my wonderful time with the girls this afternoon..... I hope you enjoy the photos....as much as I enjoyed the company of my wonderful alpacas.....

Its not just the mints that are magic....its being able to spend time with these wonderful animals.......

Alpaca....Magic.......I know other alpaca owners know exactly what I mean....but for those who read the blog...and have never touched or been in the company of alpacas.....

I hope you get just a little bit of the magic......through the photos.....

A Bit of a Doo !! .... ....

Zeto.....and a bit of a Birthday....carrot !! today ...

Well....its my birthday...just a little selection of some of my lovely cards and presents !!.....

Zanubis and Zeto.....this morning...before they went out for the day ......

He....he.....Norris......a birthday...greeting for me !!........

Well its St Patricks Day today....and there have been celebrations...going on....not only at Beck Brow...Happy Birthday to St Pat.....but here in little old Zanzibah Land !!

Ok...I shall let you into a secret....today is also my Birthday...and I've had a lovely day.....!

I have been out for lunch....I have had a cake or two !!....... and done a little retail therapy......infact Ive had a Shoptastic Day !!

I have received lots of lovely B'day cards and well wishes.....from near and far........I have received lots of alpaca kisses .........

So another year older......I hope a little wiser......this means that Zanzibah Alpacas are now over 5 years old.......you see I received my first boys for a special.......40th Birthday.......present, thats how my alpaca adventure started.......

We have had quite a alpaca journey over those 5 years....lots of changes some good and some bad....but change happens....and well you have to go with the change.....or you become extinct ! you never know what life has in store.......but you cannot fight fate ...!

We are looking forward to a .....finer fancier future....the past has gone.....lots of memories. Im hoping that this year will bring happy times...with lots of little pitter patter ..of tiny toes.... this years Zanzibah babies......

So...Ive had a bit of a Birthday Doo.....myself today......

Viva Zanzibah !!

To Infinity and Beyond !!

Soaked !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zakhura.........I think the hay gets the seal of approval.....

Yesterday...it was snowing.....albeit it very wet snow and it did start to land a little.

However.....it has now turned to sleet.....and it has been sleeting now for over 24hrs.......the wind is blowing a gale and all the animals have been inside for the day.....

We have battened down the hatches......the wind is howling outside and every where is soaked. It has been relentless all day and over night......so much so that I have moved my Highland cows out of their field and given them access to where the barn is, this will allow them to have a bit of shelter from the howling wind and the sleet for the time being.

All the fields are soaked and the animals have not ventured out all day, who can blame them !

Tonight after doing my night time shift...I was absolutely soaked through to the skin......dripping wet......its not fit for man nor beast out there tonight.

We do not have snow....just driving sleet....the sort of stuff that stings your face when you are facing the wind.

Tigh Mhor Alpacas have proper snow.......well not here....but its horrendous out there......and

winter is not over just yet.

No snow...just soaked !!

Its.....Snowing.....again ....

The girls....galloping in tonight !!........and the snow is falling !!

Can you spot Norris ......Zeuss...has a mouth full of hay .....

Boys waiting to come in tonight.......

Haggis .....having his tea ....!! he's enjoying it.....!!

The girls...going out this morning.....its snowing, slightly....

Well its snowing again....here in Scotland !

Thankfully no babies..here till June.....just read Wellground's Blog and what a wonderful new arrival....Ah....he's a cracker.

However....back to reality of winter here I'm afraid ! Its been a miserable day all day here...snow showers, the snow is wet and isn't really lying but tonight its still snowing and if the temperature drops and freezes then it will no doubt start to lie.

I took some photos today, but you can't really tell just how much snow has fallen. The alpacas have been out today, but as evening drew in ..they all gathered at the gates waiting to come in....the girls did use their field shelter...and when I went to get them it....they all ran up to the gate.

I have been doing a bit of spinning tonight, as I have needed extra wool to finish off a hat I've started....hopefully the wool will be dry and I'm hoping to knit it up and get it finished off tomorrow, its a new style....I'm trying out...so I might take a photo or two...when its finished.

Tonight when the boys came in, they went straight for the hay. Can you spot Norris...he's not shy and I'm sure he thinks he's an alpaca.....mind you..he does shift them....

So tonight its still snowing....I wonder what I'm going to wake up to tomorrow

But I think...its going to be white......

Rolling Around ......then rained off !!

Just finished....and the rains .....came !!

The boys today.....slightly wet !!

Norris....over the hedge !.....just a little 'Hello'

The alpaca 'Congo' .....

A little Dicky bird told me that the weather was going to change later in the week back to winter...and there was a mention of Snow !!!!!!!

So today I decided to take advantage of the dry spell we have had...I decided to get the roller hitched up to the tractor...and roll the fields. I managed to hitch it up no bother and was off and rolling, then like predicted the weather had changed and as I was just finishing....the clouds came and the rain started.

I have managed to get all the rolling done, it just flattens the track down for the horses and it also tidies the fields up, after the big animals have wintered on them.....I do hope we don't get loads of snow.....!!

I have also been dealing with Taco's foot, I have paired it up, cleaned it out and he has had it flushed out with Hibi-scrub. I have put a 'Old Macs' shoe on his foot to keep it clean. Taco was really lame over the weekend and we had to get the vet out, as I thought that he had dislocated his stifle, but it has turned out to be an abscess, deep in his foot...so I am in the process of sorting this out, he has some pain relief and he is much happier. I am pleased that it has turned out to be this and nothing more serious.....

After my chores, I decided to come in and get warmed up and have a cuppa tea, as I looked out of the window, guess who was looking back through the garden gate.....my friend Norris !! so I just had to go outside and say 'Hello' and take a couple of photos...of today. The alpacas are a little wet after the rain/sleet showers of today......

I shall be going out later on to do the night time chores........but it has definitely turned wintry......again !!

One I made earlier !!

Duke.....he got in a right state....this afternoon having his toes trimmed !!

The Hat and Scarf...I had forgotten about.....a blend of Trienza and Tremona .....

Pacosha....she is one of my older ladies.....I will be taking extra special care of her .......

Today has been another glorious day, that is now about 9 days in a row.....it is lovely to have the sunny days to wake up to, the mud is starting to dry up and the whole place is drying up which is good news.

I was having a look in the cupboard the other day....and guess what I found, a lovely Hat and Scarf set that I was just about to finish off by adding the tassels on the scarf and on the hat, I had ran out of wool and need to spin some up to be able to finish the set off. So that's what I did on Saturday.....a little bit of spinning, the set is now finished and has been put on the shop......what a great surprise..I had completely forgotten about it !!

Today I have had help.....so we managed to do some toe nail trimming ! Duke was a right softie and got himself is a right old state.....he was humming, screaming...and then it went into a right old tantrum....green stuff....dribbling and to round it off...he started spitting...in any direction.......he was so traumatised he even had a little leak !!.....poor Duke ! He is a right softie.....he had a cuddle after the nasty people.....had trimmed his toes.......what a palava !!

We moved onto the others...and after a bit of a wrestle...most were checked, trimmed and that was a good job done.....

Pacosha is alot better, she has been a little poorly, she has lost weight and I think she is much older than originally thought.........she has had a couple of abscess's and I think the antibiotics have maybe taken their toll on her digestive system, they all have been treated with Baycox last week and I think she is much happier, her poos are more normal and I did get a worm count checked, it showed a level of 400 eggs/g for the Coccidial oocyst hence the Baycox treatment.

It was nice to know that we had a low/moderate worm count with the other species of worms.....all the herd will be wormed again at the end of March for going into Spring-time.

I shall be keeping a close eye on her and will just have to give her a little more TLC....as she is an OAP !......Old Age Paca...she will be pampered...just a little bit more....!!

Sadly old age creeps up on all of us......

The Hat ! ......what a whoppa !!

The finished hat !.....

Now thats what I call a Big Carrot !!.......

The Hat ....... made with the wool I was spinning up....when Rosemary & Carl visited !

Just a quick blog to show the new hat .....that I have recently made ! For those who are interested...and for those who are not....just take a look at the size of that carrot ! Its the biggest carrot I've seen....and the bottom was broken off.......Diesel had his eye on it...he likes to pinch the pieces that fall on the floor when Im chopping them up for the alpacas !

.....but he couldn't manage to eat the whole thing...it was shared between every one....yesterday.....

What a whoppa !!

Table for Two !!

Norris makes a great breakfast table......for the morning carrots !!

What a way to enjoy the day......sunbathing !

The ginger monster....Zonda ....waiting for me......to do my night time chores.....she really gave me quite a shock...when I turned round to go up the steps !!

We have had some gorgeous weather....over the past five days....so nice...if I didn't know any different I'd almost thing Spring had Sprung !!

I have been out with my camera, I have taken some unusual photos !...... over the last few days.....from cats....alpacas....and a big ginger monster !! Who was waiting for me...as I was doing my night time.....chores !

Every morning..I usually give the alpacas some carrots.....and they love their carrots......I have one slight problem....I cannot feed everyone all at the same time...and sometimes, the odd squabble breaks out......Norris is usually in the thick of things....so I have a cunning plan....I use Norris as a breakfast table.....and some of the alpacas...have taken a fancy to eating off the back of Norris......so as I feed Norris on the floor....I put a handful of carrots on his back...and some of the older boys help themselves......then I managed to feed the others.....

Also the cats have been sun bathing...on the little bales of hay that I have put in the shelter that needs to be repaired......I have been using some of this hay I got from my friend..as it is coarser and it is great for the cows and the horses...I'm trying to ration the hay now as there is only eight bales left....and I'm hoping to spread it out until the end of March into April !!

I'm hoping if the weather stays nice and warm the grass will start to grow a little......and the big animals will be able to get some grass.....to graze !

So hope you enjoy the photos....and the goings on......here over the past few days.....

I did a little bit of spinning yesterday.....that I started when Rosemary and Carl visited....well they will be pleased to know....

I have finished...the other bobbin of white....blended the two......washed it......and made it into ......a nice new hat that I knitted up today !!........ I shall be taking a photo...of it soon......so hows that for inspiration !!!!!!!!!