Holiday Nick-Nacks !! .... looks familiar !!

My lovely ..............holiday Nick-Nacks !!.....

Wellground Vital Spark (L) & Wellground Stravinsky (R)

My little holiday nick-nacks....!! couldn't resist these !!!!!

Wellground Vital Spark having a cuddle !!

Regular readers will know that I have had a bit of a busy week what with one thing and another.........erecting telegraph poles for the pending barn, chasing Dougal yesterday and dealing with my totally miserable cold, not to mention collecting some of the sheeting for the barn and taking delivery of the new.....brightly orange little tractor and some of the wood for the roof.
My parents go home tomorrow....so things will be a little quiet for the time being.
Now, back to my little bussman's holiday to Wellground Alpaca Stud in Wiltshire....its funny how time flies........and its nearly two weeks since I returned......

I had a great time on my holidays....and as everyone should know...it wouldn't be a proper holiday without getting some holiday nick-nacks.....

I must confess...I've been keeping a bit of a secret......however due to one thing and another.....I've been meaning to mention...my last chapter on my holiday and this one is probably been the hardest secret of all.....

Ok, then I will confess.....my little Wellground holiday nick-nacks....are rather small, very cute and totally adorable......I shall look at them with very fond memories of all my wonderful experiences....over my week at Wellground.

Apart from that....they will grow and I'm sure I will spend many happy hours enjoying them.

So ......the wait is over.........meet Wellground Stravinsky and Wellground Vital Spark. These two boys are making their way up to Scotland on Saturday.......

I shall be rather excited to say the least.....to greet my little nick-nacks and of course....Rob and Les.......

Both boys will join the growing herd of Zanzibah Alpacas.....Wellground Stravinsky is a beautiful solid white boy sired by Silverstream Csar of Anzac, his dam is Wellground Ruffo's Reflection.........he just oozes quality !

Wellground Vital Spark is a beautiful fawn boy sired by the renowned Cambridge Buckingham, his dam is Wellground Cool Lucy. He is a quality fawn boy with a fabulous fine fleece just what you'd expect from the Wellground Stud !!

So there you go......just a little retail therapy.......whilst on my holidays.....
You can keep your designer handbags....and shoes......
I don't need a bigger wardrobe........
I'm off to ........prepare for my new arrivals !!
The secrets out !!!!!

Mission........Impossible......Failed !!

Its a good bit of kit...but..I think its a bit of operator error !!.....

Haggis and Dougal.....no pedicure today !!

Today was the big day.....for Dougal and his pedicure.....however... we failed !!

The vets arrived (3) to be precise !! to help with the mission to trim Dougal's feet. I had more helpers in the way of my parents also....we were ready ! or so we thought !!

The generator was strapped to the quad and it was Showtime !! I had read all the instructions and familiarised myself with the piece of equipment .....and the dart was loaded with the injection to knock Dougal out....for a little sleep ......

I walked down into the field, it was my turn to see if I could actually hit the moving target, I'd practiced on the bale of straw....but its now a moving cow ! Well as luck would have it....the wind started to pick up and it was just typical.....

I moved into my firing range....and stalked Dougal round the field..just waiting for the wind to drop and make my aim.....Dougal was not happy..and started to walk off...I followed and waited for my right time.... I fired the crossbow and hit my target right on the arse !!......however....due to operator error....the dart did not hold in the skin and there was a bit of an air leak on the syringe !! Most of the injection was lost in mid air !!....not ideal.....!!

However I managed to hit my target so in a way I was quite pleased.....I returned back to the vets....to re-fill......the syringe....now it needed 15ml of sedative to drop him...so another 15 ml was needed.......we began the process all over again..to re-fill the dart gun.....

The way the Medi-Dart works....is via a pump which you fill with air into the big orange piece of the dart, now on the needle side of things..there is a plunger which is pushed back as the needle hits the target....the air is then released from the air chamber and this then re pushes the plunger back to retract the needle out of the animal.....if the plunger is not fixed into its locked position..then this allows the liquid to pass through the needle. Are you following me...?

Mistake .....on our behalf......the vet loaded the liquid back in and I then inserted the pump into the bottom of the orange tube.....however...we did not check the lock valve on the plunger !!....It normally takes 4 pumps to load the chamber.....I gave one pump and the sedative....just squirted out the top of the dart !.....Oh dear...this was the second amount wasted.......

The vets were running out of sedative.......and we found the last amount....re loaded the dart and off I went back down the field........no pressure there then to get it right.....

I once again stalked Dougal round the field....and waited for the wind to drop and take my aim.........Bingo....I hit my target....for the second time....I was once again quite pleased.......however........we had put too much air in the chamber.....and the needle held for a moment..but the plunger pushed it out too soon.......and it only delivered half the amount of sedative......I walked back to get the pump to re charge the needle chamber again.......

I passed it to one of the vets...and he was going to top up the sedative with some more.....but he unscrewed the wrong collar....and the remaining fluid squirted out all over the floor again....

Now bearing in mind....the vets had no more sedative......that put pay to that.......so to round the story off....in a nut shell.....we failed....to get him sedated enough to trim his feet.......

Dougal had a bit of a lie down....but no where near.....sedated.......

I'm afraid its going to be another.....try....another.....day.....

Lets hope ....the operators.......have less error...... and the aim is just as good......

A bit of Trial and Error........I will persevere.......

No doubt .....when I succeed....you will know....about it !!!!!!!!!!

Sniffing Sunday.....Miserable Monday......Tissue Tuesday !!

All 6 poles are in position !....phase One.....complete !!

Dougal...he's having a pedicure tomorrow !......all being well....he got in the wood last week...!!

My new little tractor.....and mower....its great !!.......

I have had a thoroughly miserable few days..with my cold ! I have spent most of yesterday evening asleep in bed, which was unusual for me....I was feeling awful and decided to have an early night.

Although spending most of my time in and out of several handkerchiefs.......I managed to go and collect some of the sheeting for the barn. it was quite a busy day yesterday with a couple of exciting new deliveries.....when I returned, the wood was being delivered for the rafters which will eventually be the roof ! I was hoping to get the roof fixed to the poles, however I doubt this will happen this time due to my cold....putting a bit of a spanner in the works !!

I had just got back to un-hitch the trailer, with the sheeting on and the other more exciting delivery turned up.....a little orange......looking very smart and very cute ......this will be brilliant for the farm....and the jobs I have in store for it.....Its a little Kubota 4x4 compact tractor, with a trail behind mower deck ! I have been looking for ages...for something which will do several jobs....(1) to cut the track round the wood....as it grows so much during the summer you can't walk round it...unless your are Indiana Jones with a death wish, round the nettles....!! (2) for cutting the track edges up to the farm, (3) for harrowing the fields..instead of using the quad, or the big tractor..its just too cumbersome ! and apart from that this little tractor is diesel, much more economical than the quad .....I could go on....but I won't !

So this little machine is going to be a great asset....and apart from that its....very cute and has been very well looked after.....I'm chuffed to bits with it ! Its a little present from my parents and even although feeling thoroughly miserable...I just had to have a go with it !....a few minor changes...and I was off...to have a trial run....

Today...I still have a miserable cold...my nose is running like a tap and is really sore, I can't breathe and I'm fed up with it ! I think I have MAN FLU !! haha..!!

I have battled on and we have managed to get all the poles in position......6 to be precise !!

So its looking great and the others are now well and truly set. We have filled in the trench and tidied up the surrounding area.

We managed to finish off the other 2 remaining poles today and hopefully these will also set in a couple of days.

I have a big day tomorrow......Me and Dougal have an appointment with the vets...... for those who know.....its the day all being well Dougal will have his feet trimmed !

He is my rather unpredictable Highland Cow, I need to be feeling fit ! He will be darted by myself, with a Medi-Dart...its a special crossbow ! all the way from America !!

You just can't take any chances with this sort of job....its just too dangerous and he's just too big to fit in a Highland crush.....so tomorrows...D-Day !

Wish me luck......I'm rather apprehensive....I've been doing a bit of practice on a bale of straw....but things can all change on the day. I will be pleased when its all over and he's got nice new trimmed toes....and he's back on his feet.....its going to be a bit of an ordeal....but it has to be done.....hopefully all going well......maybe some photos.... tomorrow .....!!!

I have a COLD !!

My little reception party....when I returned from my holidays....the girls are in a different field now !

Typical.......as of yesterday...I felt awful....and today.....I now have a stinking cold !!

Apart from that.....its raining and I feel pretty rough .......sniffing and aching, I'm hoping I will be slightly better for tomorrow !!

A weekend Off !.....nearly .....

4 Poles......up and still standing !!!!!!!!!!

Rob n Les.....with hats....and the rest of the Wellground Management Team !!...

Having a bit of a cuddle........with some of the Elite young boys at Wellground !!

Not quite.....a weekend off....but nearly !

The pole barn is taking shape, the four poles are upright ! Just a matter of giving it a little time for the concrete to set ....... meanwhile I was determined to have a weekend off.....

I have also...being doing a bit of art...work.....more on that later !

Although that's what I thought, any way the reality was a little different.....today I have been helping my dad dig across the track that leads to the farm, in order to lay some water pipes into the alpaca field.....unfortunately it had to cross the gateway, which was penned with rock...so I'm afraid it was a case of get your 'Pick' out.....we have managed to hand dig what we needed....not ideal when you have a bad back !

Then it will be Daisy's turn to dig across the field....another day ! It will be lovely to eventually get the water onto the fields.......it will make life much easier.....especially in the summer.

Now, back to my holidays....seems like a dim and distant memory......!! When I went to visit Wellground for a little break.... It was only polite to take a little Thank-you present......

Some may recall.....my previous post, of my dad wearing...an Alpaca Toupee !! Well that actually turned into a hat !! I made two hats, one for Rob and one for Les.......so hopefully these will come in handy in the winter. One was a blend of light fawn, dark fawn and grey......and the other was a blend of two greys and black.

When I was on my holidays....I did a little retail therapy !...and experienced the delight of the ladies...that Lunch.....syndrome......strangely enough the whole experience turned into quite an ordeal.......it was more like a comedy sketch.....from 'Faulty Towers'..... !

You can tell.......I don't go out much !......we caused quite havoc in the Pollys Cafe.......we stood being ignored for what seemed to be ages...then decided to help ourselves to cakes ! I think we should have waited to be served....then we tried to pay at the till...nothing unusual about that !
Only to be told to 'take a seat' and we would be served......Les and I looked at our cakes for ages...!! waiting patiently.....to be served......drooling at the very delay !

When the waiter did eventually come.....he was so impatient...he couldn't wait for Les to choose her drink...and tried to come back......I told him.....what I wanted and Les quickly decided to have a Traditional Lemonade !......after all he was so busy he couldn't possibly wait a moment to serve us !!!!!!!!!!!!!

The drinks did arrive....and just when he was about two strides from our table......he tripped.....!!!! and spilt all my coffee......all over the saucer and serviette ! Strangely, I thought he would go back to clean up the mess......OH no.....he then decided to give me the lemonade ! It was Les....who ordered that ! Then he picked up the soaking wet serviette, dripping with coffee.....dabbed the saucer and plonked it on front of me !!

By this point ............nothing surprised us ! what a palaver.......the ordeal continued..when we tried to pay.....not there......but in the shop ! at the front of the cafe !

Its a long story.......I know.....needless to say............they didn't get a tip !

It was quite an experience......this mixing with the 'normal people'.......I think we both decided....we definitely....were not cut out for this ladies....that lunch......sort of thing !

Mind you.....the cake was lovely......

Unlike the service !!

Ps....I'd forgotten to mention...the lunch ! as Les reminded me....as I spotted the 'GREGGS' bakery.....standing in the queue...waiting for my cheese pasty.....Les happend to mention....how it was just as well....I wasn't 'POSH' or else....it might have had to be the Savoy....for lunch !

I didn't take offence......honestly !!

I'm just as happy with a Greggs......pasty.....I just have expensive taste........sometimes !! usually involving.....alpacas !!

No Rest for the Wicked !!......

Phase one...!!

This is the workforce !!........

Duke having a tantrum !!......with the green stuff ....and me !!

Glamorous....as usual.........thinking about my holidays.....!!

Waiting for my......'Police Escort'.......... NOT !!.......we got home.....thankfully !!

Since I have returned from my little bussman's holiday....there has been lots of goings on here in Zanzibah Land !

On Tuesday it was time to have a change round with the alpacas. It was time to move the girls into the 3 acre field in front of the house, this is where they will stay for the summer. As we near the birthing time, the girls have access to a small paddock directly off this field via a tracked area, which leads into the barn.

Im hoping all goes well, however if I have any difficulties....its always nice to be able to move/contain them......especially single handedly !

So as the girls were being moved, a quick toe-trim for one or two....and we were ready to go.

The baby boys.....have been introduced with the adult boys......I had to lead Zeto and Duke round into the field where the girls have been over the winter. Zeto behaved impeccably, sadly I can't say the same for Duke !.......he fought off the halter...and went beserke !! Squeeling and spitting like a mad thing !.....once again I found myself on the receiving end of the green stuff.....thankfully I had my gloves on......and we persevered.....round to the field.

Then it was time to introduce the older boys.....with Zeto and Duke......there was a little argy-bargy, but nothing....unneccessary.....Norris was a star.....taking everything in his stride.

The boys have settled down now for the summer in their new field.

Now, the little birthing paddock has been mown and cleaned....ready for the new arrivals......I'm guessing we might have some sooner than later....at this rate.....hopefully this will allow the paddock time to rest.....I have a feeling that there might be some new arrivals sometime soon.......!!!!!

Now onto the other jobs..on the list......guess what I'm doing .............on Wednesday....I went to collect my telegraph poles........for the Pole barn.....we are busy building......by Thursday....two were up and on Friday...morning...the four were in place......on one side....they have been concreted in and ......its a case of......just letting thing set over the weekend.......on Monday I have some more wood being delivered to secure the poles onto the barn, this will hold the poles in place........I have sourced the sheeting for the roof and the sides, however it will be done in stages....so phase one and two are nearly complete.......just depends on the weather and how aching the work-force is......a little rest over the weekend as the weather is a little wintry this morning....and then we will be cracking on...to secure to poles.

Then I think it will be a case of........waiting till my helpers come up again in June sometime, as my parents have to go back home.....for a rest !! In the meantime....I will potter on...and see what I can do......
So there has been lots of activity here over the past week..............time for a little rest me thinks......

Visit to Westhill Alpacas !!

Rosemary, Sam and Greeves.......caught for me to have a cuddle !!

Some of the Westhill girls..on the hill......

Some of the boys.......

Walking over to meet the alpacas.......

Its hard to imagine..that only a week ago I was on my holidays.....there has been lots of changes and lots of work gone on over the past week !!

Back to my holidays..... I went to visit Rosemary, Carl and Sam from Westhill Alpacas in Dorset ! I had a wonderful day, it was a lovely sunny afternoon. I arrived mid morning after a lovely drive through the quaint villages, those beautiful ones you imagine in your head....I had forgotten just how beautiful these are...after all I do live in Scotland....the landscape is completely different !!

I was introduced to Sams sheep and the new lambs......I helped feed one and we had a lovely walk round the fields admiring the scenery. It was a short ride round to see the Alpacas, obviously I meet Greeves..he is lovely....so sweet....I just had to have a cuddle....Rosemary and Sam caught him for me...he just had been sheared and looked great, its lovely to see him doing so well after his difficult start in life.

Then it was back to the house for a bite to eat.....baked for the occasion was a salmon quiche which was delicious, closely followed by a large slice of fruit cake......made especially for me, a large cup of tea........lots of alpaca natter, a little fleece rummage......and then back to see the girls, boys and then later in the afternoon I was introduced to Wellground Cool Dude !....he is Westhill Alpacas Elite Stud Boy, I know that Rosemary, Carl and Sam are really looking forward to seeing his first babies.....its a very exciting time......Dude is a very handsome young macho with great breeding and presence, to top it off he carries a fine wonderful dense fleece.

After all that admiring....it was time for another cup of tea.......Carl had arrived back home from work.....more chit-chat....and then it was time to go back to Wellground.

How time flies......

I had a wonderful day...visiting Westhill Alpacas......seeing everyone and just catching up in good company.

A Tango with Bertie !!......or was it a Moon Walk !!

This is Bertie....he is a Ryland Ram.....gorgeous and very friendly !!!....

Tango or Moon Walk....you decide ?....

Beautiful hand carved Roaking Horse.....made by Carl at Willow Bank Alpacas....

Carl, Lisa and Bertie.....having a playful moment with Relentless

Lily and Pebbles.....having a cuddle....

Last Wednesday, when I was on my holidays....at Wellground we had a little delivery to make for Willow Bank Alpacas in Leicestershire.

It was time to take Wellground Tchickovsky to his new home. After loading him up we travelled approx 3 hrs north to meet Carl, Lisa, Lily and the Willow Bank Gang.

Tchaikovsky travelled without any problems, we stopped and checked him to make sure all was well and when I looked into the van, he was sitting quite happily with the odd ear twitch as he listened to his surroundings.

When we arrived the sun was shining and we were met by Carl & Lisa who were obviously very excited, the doors had hardly opened and they were already in to admire and check over their lovely new fawn boy !

After a little inspection and an introduction to Lilly their gorgeous little girl we went to settle the new boy into his new paddock.

We had a look at Wellground Relentless who is their first herdsire also from the Wellground Stables ! Relentless looked amazing a very handsome young Macho, he is growing up nicely and will soon be ready to work this year for his first season.Carl is a very skilled wood carver and makes a number of very beautiful and intricate carvings, I especially love the hand crafted Rocking Horses.....that he has made. I just had to share a photo or two of my lovely visit to Willow Bank Alpacas.

As we were in the field admiring Relentless, we had another woolly friend. It was Bertie the Ryland Ram, he is adorable and very friendly. Bertie was getting slightly excited and he reminded me a little bit of Norris ! He began to run after Carl and Lisa with Relentless...then he decided to take a run over to see Rob......and set off at a right old pace.....

At one point it looked like Bertie was going to give Rob a Glaswegian hand-shake ! for those who aren't familiar with the saying.....it looked like he was going to stick the nut on Rob !!!!

However.....never underestimate the quick stepping technique of Rob...he was swift on his feet in reverse and managed to dodge Bertie heading towards him at high speed......

I managed to record the moment....just for the record.....and we all had a good laugh !!

It would be wrong of me to suggest that Rob was light on his loafers !.....however Michael Jackson....would have been proud...of the fast footwork, not quite the Moonwalk...

I have been persuaded to show the moment.......so here is the Wellground....Moonwalk !!

Only one more thing to say ...........

OOUUHH............Jermone !!!!!!!

;0)

Fancy a Cuddle....Heaven is.............

What a wonderful experience......just devine.....Wellground Vital Spark(L) and Wellground Stravinsky...enjoying a cuddle !!

Up close and personal...with the one and only .....Wellground Close Encounter...he is a true gentleman...and no wonder the ladies....just love him !

Being able to do this......on your holidays.......!!!

Back To Zanzibah Land !!.......

Back to Zanzibah Land......shortly after this cuddle.....Duke spat at me right in the eye !!.....

Some of the Elite girls.....grazing at Wellground Alpaca Stud......

Billy Jean.....part of the Wellground Management.....Team !.....

The wonders....of Wellground......what a view !

Well folks I have returned back from my holidays......

I have had a fantastic....time, I have lots to tell, so much so that I have decided to do it in chapters....or else I feel that this might be a never ending blog !!.....

I have experienced the Wonder of Wellground....!! I have flirted with a new romance.....being namely Close Encounter....I must admit....I couldn't resist his charms...what a handsome fella he is.....I just had to have a cuddle !!

We have had a great time, the weather and hospitality has been second to none. I have experienced the excitement and fear of flying on my outward bound flight.....honestly sitting in front of a screaming 4 year old....'wanting to get off and complaining its falling...really isn't the ideal experience.....especially after not flying for over 12 years...at one point I felt like joining in....with him.......you know what they say...' if you can't beat them.....join them' !

Thankfully, the return flight was quiet, quick and by then, I actually enjoyed the whole experience and the assortment of sweets and snacks.....during the journey.

Anyway back to my holidays.......the week just flew over, we had one or two business trips, mixed in with a trip to the North Somerset Alpaca Show.......where I met Dave and Mrs S ! of Apple Vale Alpacas......I was introduced to Bramley...and Dave was very successful with one of his white girls.......we had a quick look round the Show.....and then back to Wellground HQ.

It was lovely to meet a fellow blogger..and have a chit-chat and admire his alpacas...in the flesh.
My accommodation was first class.....the company was wonderful, I even had the added extra a lovely hot water bottle strategically placed in my bed every night.......sometimes I found the odd bone or two under the duvet.....!!!! to my surprise......my little sleeping companion, I named the 'Bed-Bug'.......she is actually one of the Russel Sisters.......you know who you are..!!
I have also made a new friend.......Billy Jean the Boxer.....and Annie Specs....the other Russel Sister......we have had a wonderful week....of fun and laughter.....with the odd surprise or two thrown in for good measure.....

I have experienced...the Ladies...that Lunch ! experience.....more on that another day.....I have done a little retail therapy.....whilst on my holidays.....well sometimes....there is the odd Nick-Nack....you just can't resist.....and you just can't quite fit it in your hand luggage....!!!

I have.....introduced Billy Jean to the wonders of Homeopathy....!! and also Rob and Les......a little chicken rescue......I have had a crash course on stomach tubing a baby alpaca....hows that for a buss-man's holiday...and that was within the first few hours of my arrival, as Taffy Bear had just been born and he need a little help, one week on and he has been delivered to Honeyfield Alpacas......today.

I have lots of lovely photographs and tales to share......

I returned home last night.....all is well .........back to reality......

Im sure.....I left Toto.....some-where....on route.....back to Zanzibah Land......

I fell like its all been a bit of a dream !!!!!