Barn Extension......extension !!

I've lost lost my ears !!.....

The extension......is underway !

Some of the work-force .......nearly finished for the day !

The jobs have started.......we have managed to repair the shelter that got damaged with the heavy snow....last year ! So I will be able to use this now as it has been out of action.

We have started to extend the barn.....so the jobs are well under way.

The telegraph poles are in their new rightful place......and have been concreted in, tomorrow I'm hoping to fix some of the main structure, after going for the wood.

I have been using Daisy to scrape the ground to level it, before we dug the holes, for the poles.

The weather is supposed to cool down a little, today has been just too muggy.....I have the hay stacked together on the field as it has to stand a while before I bring it into the barn for the winter.....

So the jobs are well under way.....I have received a new sign today for the rear of my trailer........just have to fix it on....sometime.....soon !!

You can't please Everyone !..so You have to please Yourself !!

Zirrius and Zadi~Blanca ....quality control !

A lovely sight......sun shining and all baled up !

The girls enjoying the sunny day....

Nosey ......checking it out ....

Oh well, sometimes in life you have to stand by your principles, even if that means to stand alone !

Those who know me, will already know, that I am the sort of person to speak my mind and stand alone if necessary !!

After all this is my blog....and my opinion, if others who happen to read this have other opinions, then so be it, however this does not detract from me voicing mine.....sometimes good, sometimes bad and sometimes indifferent !

All I will say, is......then if the answer to last nights post is to be a responsible breeder/alpaca owner is to breed less and not be part of flooding the market....then this I am prepared to do, after all.......I got into ownership of alpacas primarily for me ! Maybe if this pricks the conscience of others....then so be it !!

Now onto a totally different subject, I have managed to get my hay baled this afternoon. Thankfully the weather stayed kind and I have managed to get some top quality hay. This year the hill has yielded 60, 3ft bales........which is great news, its a nice feeling to have the job done and dusted !

I only have one more field to have cut and silaged.....this is the field that the boys graze, hopefully this will be feed for my cows over the winter.

According to the weather forecast.....its going to be dry all week......maybe that Indian Summer is here and now !

Look who's sitting beside Me !!

Its just great to have this special sort of friendship....and mutual trust !

Just priceless....moments....shared ! ...so rewarding !!

Peek-a-Boo !!

Just finished.......time for me.....to have an alpaca moment !!....

What better way after spending over 4 hours....rowing up my hay...having a break...!
After spending most of the afternoon sitting in the tractor rowing up the hay ready for baling I decided to reward myself with a treat....I went to see the girls and the babies....before going in for a well earned cup of tea !!
I was sitting in the field...and all of a sudden I was joined by my little alpaca friends.....what a marvellous feeling, having great company.....I just love it...and obviously I just love them !!
As I sat, I was quickly joined by Zirrius who comes over and almost sits on you....being a little nuisance as usual...then Zoretah came over, she sat down right next to me, its just a fantastic feeling to be so close to these beautiful animals....by their choice !! then soon after Zoretah came for a sit down....little Zadi~Blanca came over to, she said hello, with a little nose sniff and sat down right next to Zoretah !!
Meanwhile......I was being closely watched by Minstrel, who I think was a little jealous, she had a look of disgust on her face, as she usually comes over for a cuddle, but this time she had been beaten...by the babies.....in the background, you can see Zimushka. Zoretah was happily chewing her cud......just enjoying the company !!
What a great privilege.......and I know that others who experience this, know exactly what I mean.......any owner who truly has their animals interest at heart...know just how rewarding this experience can be ! with any animal...not just alpacas !
I feel the need to mention, that it saddens me greatly to have to be subject to an article in the most recent edition of the BAS Magazine........!!
I know that most of the small breeders, who have their herds, love their animals and spend time getting to know each and every one.....would never dream of selling into this sort of market !!

I think it is only fare to say, that this market will be solely supplied by the huge commercial breeders, who hold no value over their surplus stock !!, with very little contact. I can only give my opinion on this and I know that I value each and every animal I own.......not just for their 'breeding capability'.....for their characters, personalities, fleeces and just for being privileged to have the sort of moments that I have just had...today.....

I believe that it will be a very sad day....if the market is saturated to the point of these beautiful animals, holding little or no value....other than for this purpose !

I challenge...anyone.....!! with a conscience...to experience the delight that I experience on a daily basis........living with my alpacas.......

To even bear the thought....of actually having them slaughtered....into cuts of 'Meat' !
I can promise one thing......to my alpacas.......It will never happen to any of my animals.....
Actually, I would like this sort of Alpaca Enterprise....to be a very brief.......business venture........nothing would please me more......

I do have to question the morals of the BAS.......to even put this article to print !!
Surely Alpacas....are far more valuable ........I can just hope that others share my point of view.........but this is a part of the business.......I want NO part in !!

I can appreciate...in Peru & Chile.....the breeders use them as a multi purpose animal....but lets face it.......I think we actually have a choice here......and I certainly choose NOT to go down this route !!!!

I can just hope and pray .....others will follow me !!

Surprise, Surprise !....& Guess What I'm Doing !!

Zeto...me and the new trailer !!.....

Haymaking....tonight !!......

Mam and Dad...and the dogs with the new trailer....and Zanzibah Banners !

Well, todays the day, that the big surprise is revealed.....

After a little bit of modification......the new addition is a trailer.....I have added a few changes....and the 'Less is more....might be going out of the window....slightly......I fear by the time I've finished.....I might have ....More than Less !

I have treated myself to a Bateson 316 Eurostock Trailer, I once waited all day at an auction for one just like it...but unfortunately for me....everyone else had the same idea...and it was far too expensive at the time !

Fast forward......about 3 years....and I now have one......actually my parents brough it up, as it was for sale down near to where they live, I spoted it on good old Ebay and knew it was exactly the one I have wanted for ages....so I now am the proud owner of my Zanzibah transport equipment ! I know it will be very handy and will be a wise investment.....

I have had made a couple of changes as this trailer is fitted with all the sheep partitions, which actually fold away very neatly....I don't think I will be needing them for the alpacas. I can carry up to 10 in here going off my towing capacity ! I don't think I shall have it full for quite some time ....

Changing the subject slightly.....I am also haymaking !! The 8 acre hill has been cut on Thursday morning, I have turned it on Friday & tonight......Im hoping to get some baled tomorrow into haylage, Im also hoping to leave half to make into hay....mind you we are forecast rain on Monday, but after that a nice sunny week......so it looks like Im going to be busy over the next few days.....I shall be pleased when this is done, then I just have to get it wrapped and the hay carted into the barn for the winter....then just some silage for the cows and the feed quest is over for this year !!

Just need to build the barn extension and repair the roof on the small alpaca building that was damaged last year with the snow.....not to mention...a few other jobs on the 'to do list' ...
So my secret is out......I am now the proud owner of a trailer.......

To 'Infinity and Beyond'.......we now have wheels !!

Its Zeto's Birthday today...he is 2 years old, he has had a nice Birthday present !!

More Visitors....and Minstrel Steals the Show !!...Again !!!

Peter...with Minstrel....!!

The girls and babies....have more visitors !!....

Val having a cuddle with Minstrel...and Zoretah....is watching !

Biddy & Val....meeting some of the Boys !!

Zirrius and Zadi~Blanca......play fighting !!

Since my parents arrived on Sunday...I have been working on my surprise....its not quite ready...so unfortunately I can't reveal what it is !

I'm hoping...the finishing touches will arrive soon....so I can reveal just what it is...and although, I did have some good advice.....I don't think.....I have managed to resist....the temptation....but the wise words...of 'Less is more' have echoed....I fear I might not have managed, I fear I have 'more' than....'less and when I reveal....the big surprise....it's still not quite finished !!

Apart from that....I have had more visitors.....friends Biddy & Alistair came round with some other friends Val & Peter...to see the alpacas....I suspect...we just happened to be there also !

Is really quite marvellous, to see new people greeted by the alpacas, the girls, babies and boys were on their best behaviour.....and once again Minstrel stole the show.

She is on top form at the moment....I shall forgive her, for pretending to be pregnant....for this year...anyway !! she is just ......far too nice at the moment !!

Everyone who meets her....I'm sure will remember her for some time after.....the experience !

As usual, fleeces, knitting, spinning, jam making and just a general good old chit-chat.......I think its fare to say....a great afternoon....with some very lovely moments mixed in for good measure, Val just fell in love with the alpacas....and I think Pater was secretly smitten with Minstrel also....the babies are so lovely and innocent, coming to see us....its just great to have such close contact and it really does just put you in a good mood.....Alpaca Therapy...you just can't beat it !!

Val left with some fleece to spin, apparently I have re-inspired her to make something special out of the alpaca fleece.....I shall look forward to see, just what she creates !

Water-Babies !!

We are slightly wet today !! ...Zimushka has lost her fluffy britches !!
Water fascination.....'piggy in the middle'

Zirrius and Zimushka.....both want to be in the water !!

Busy day today, cleaning the chicken shed....!

After the Swallows have gone...I like to give the chicken shed a good clean, I have a leaf-blower and its great to clean the wire, its surprising just how dusty it gets. I always wait till the Swallows leave, as I don't want to disturb them, whilst they are nesting !

So the chicken shed now, is nice and clean for going into the winter.

We have had torrential rain again overnight......the land is soaked....! mind you I did manage to do a spot of grass cutting, I wanted to see just how soggy it was....I managed to do some of the track and up to the house, but not the lawns....just far too wet !

Before I went in for my dinner break, I went to have five minutes at the gate, watching the babies......obviously they all came over to see me, then went back to play in the puddle in the field....its marvellous, just how attracted the alpacas and cria, are to the water.....Zimushka was playing in the water the most, she was sitting in the puddle, very happy.....hence the new look.....!! no fluffy britches......today !! Waders or wellies essential ! The babies just love, splashing and playing in the puddle.

After dinner, I went back out to finish off.....sorting out the chicken shed, then after the brief grass cutting, I decided to muck out the boys barn, to tidy it up, once again we have had rain and the alpacas are in again tonight.....a dry back and a dry belly, after all there is no fun sitting out in wet fields !.....and my fields are definitely wet !!

Slightly Jamtastic !

(LtoR) Zoretah, Zirrius,Zimushka, Zadi~Blanca.....only Zirrianna missing !

Zirrianna....too busy eating, to join in !

Slightly jamtastic !......and I've already given some away !

What a reception.....its just great to be greeted this way !

Ah.....remember what a difficult start she had !......Zoretah ! ........she is extra special !!!

I have been busy over the past week or so.....its the time of year, I find myself doing a spot of Jam making !....and Chutney making....

Well I suppose it keeps me out of mischief ! I've been finishing off the last of the jam and chutney today....I seem to have quite a little collection, going on !

Hence the title....of the blog !

Changing the subject slightly......I have been out doing what I do best....spending time with the alpacas, I was out and about in the thick of things.....as usual being surrounded by the alpacas...and the babies ! the weather was quite nice today, which makes a lovely change from recently.

I'm sure this is the calm before the storm....as my parents are visiting this weekend, I'm sure we will be busy, hoping to do some of the jobs on the 'to do list'...before the winter sets in....not to mention....the still pending....hay/lage crop ! I'm hoping its going to be dry enough soon, long enough, just to get it done ! ..the phrase...better late, than never, springs to mind !

I have a couple of nice surprises....instore ! but you will have to wait and see.....not long now !

I have hung up my pinny for this year.....no more Jam making !

I suppose, I'd better dust off my hammer...I can feel a barn extension coming on, along with a few other jobs !

But for the here and the now....I'm having some alpacatastic time !....a little bit of play-time, before all the hard work !!

Lady Zanzibah Off.....to America !!!

Zeuss ....

Cobweb Felted Scarf......sold to a lovely lady from America !

Zeuss......sniffing the feed bucket ....

Regular readers will know, I do little bit of hand spinning and felting when I get the time.

I have been know to use my artistic flare and imagination to hand craft, unique knit ware & felting, I usually design it all by myself from start to finish.

One such item has been purchased by a lovely lady from America...who saw the wrap...and just fell in love with it !......so its making its way all the way to America !!

Fancy that.....one of my designer wraps/scarves, heading all that way....one thing guaranteed.....there most certainly isn't another one ...!!

Which makes it quite unique......I do hope the lady, enjoys wrapping herself in Alpaca Luxury !
Incidentally....my handcrafted knit ware range is called......The 'Lady Zanzibah' Collection...hence the blog title !!

The star of the show.....well...has to be Zeuss....who provided the gorgeous fleece to make this garment !

Ticking along nicely !!

Growing up faast...

Here comes.....trouble !!

Zirrianna..... & Zimushka !

Life here is ticking along nicely....apart from the weather that is....!

The babies are growing up fast, learning to be quite confident around people. This is one of the main reasons, I decide to bring them in every evening. I believe this helps with building confident alpacas around people, especially for the future when you need to handle them to do routine husbandry tasks and obviously for the odd....alpaca moment.

A certain favourite of many visitors...who likes to steal the show, Minstrel is in a happy pleasant mood lately....however this can change like the weather...at the drop of a hat....so you just have to make the most of it.

Talking about the weather......after re-checking the computer.....again and again, waiting for forever and a day.....its looking like, after a sprinkle of the wet stuff...on Tuesday...we are forecast....a reasonable week....as I type this anyway !

So this might mean one thing....yes.....getting the other field cut, for ideally hay, however if the weather is not as good as forecast.....then nice quality haylage will be more than sufficient !

So, there might be a good chance.....I'm going to risk it....for next week...I shall be re-checking the computer again tomorrow.......just to make sure, before I ring the contractors....and give the go-ahead.....!

Its a risky business....especially as the days are getting shorter, the dew is more heavy in the mornings...and well I guess, Autumn is definitely knocking on the door.......ideally haymaking should be a summer time job.......summer-time......I ask myself.....when was that !!

Apart from this...pending job.....there are a few exciting things hopefully happening.....for one my parents are coming to visit next weekend....and well.....there are a few other little surprises...but I can't say anymore of that.....those who know....well.....will know, what I'm rambling about...those who don't know....will just have to wait and see.....!!

But I'm slightly excited to say the least !! oh...and its not an animal addition...!

Some work.......and more Play !!

Cristina, Anna....with Zirrius.....Minstrel and Zadi~Blanca !!

Just caught Anna....trying to smuggle Zirrius in her pocket !! .......Nice Hat Anna !!

De ja vou.....the flooded barn ..and me.....mucking out again !!

Cristina, giving Minstrel a stroke......and a certain little pest...trying to steal the limelight ! With Anna and Zadi~Blanca.....looking on ....

Yesterday I had a bit of a De ja vou moment......I'm sure it was just the other day...I had mucked out the barn.....

Oh ...yes then we had the torrential rain.....and we got flooded.....and the barn was under about 4" of water.....

So I on Saturday I had the barn to totally re clean......we are back to nice and clean.....and it is still drying out in places.....but the alpacas have nice clean dry bedding again.

Today I had visitors......Dave and Cristina came over to meet....us all......!!

The alpacas we on their best behaviour and we were surrounded and greeted by both boys and girls.....but I think once again Minstrel stole the show.....she was closely followed by Zirrius.....who was a first class delicious........nuissance.....!

I've only got a limited amount of photos.......I forgot to take the camera out...for our first visit....then remembered......later for the second visit.....then I was far too busy trying to teach Zirrius how to behave....with visitors...that I nearly forgot....

I also had to do a security check....before my guests left....as I was sure they were thinking of hiding Minstrel in the back of their pick-up...and I just caught Anna....trying to smuggle out Zirrius....

You have to extra vigilant......I'm sure the thought crossed both of their....minds !!

We had a great afternoon......eating lots of biscuits....and cakes......and a extra special cup of 'Ringtons'.....tea !!.....

The time just flew ......there was lots of alpaca chatter....and I think I could safely say...we all had a great day !!

Happy to Help !!....

Upper Mill Alpaca Farm's lovely new arrival !!

Meet the gang.......the new baby and his mum.....

Today I had the pleasure in meeting some new alpaca owners......Upper Mill Farm Alpacas, just outside Turriff......which actually is about 20 mins from me !

I read an article on the Accidental Smallholder website from some new excited alpaca owners....who had their first cria born yesterday.

I managed to make a comment, and to cut a long story short, ended up going to see them and help them find out what sex their new arrival was. My friend Anna came with me to help just incase the new mum was over protective.

We found the new location with no problems....and what a wonderful location, I was met by Dave who was waiting for us.....we were quickly introduced to the all the lovely animals and the alpacas.

What a beautiful setting and the alpacas were lovely, very contented we quickly saw the new arrival....what a beautiful brown cria......

I managed to catch mum, and then Anna and Dave held her, whilst I had a quick check of the baby.....I managed to find out that they had a beautiful baby Boy, he was slightly premature, his ears were very slightly floppy and after close inspection he had no baby teeth.....never the less....he was all there and very healthy indeed....

Its marvellous to have your first alpaca baby....you never forget your first baby and they are always very special.....

I have found out that the new baby has been named Rufus, he has had his first Lambivac injection and he will get another one within 4 weeks......

So on Sunday, I am returning the pleasure....Dave and Christina are coming to visit us here at Zanzibah Alpacas......so I'm sure we will have lots of alpaca chatter......

N is for 'Nibbles'.....D is for 'Delicious'!

Zirrius...he is so cheeky !!....

Zimushka.....she is a Munchkin !!...

Poor.....Zoretah..trying to have a snooze !.....and being pestered by Zirrius !!

Zimushka....is checking the puddle out !!.....

Zoretah under Zirrius....with Zadi~Blanca.....joining in the fun !!

Im sure that I'm not the only one that have strange pet names.......for my crias ! over the years.....

They are usually formed around their personalities.....and strangely enough...one special little fella....has two, pet names.....this year !

I'm sure by now...you have guessed, he is Zirrius.....the only boy born here this year. Out of five babies....we have four girls and one little boy.

You just can help yourself from giving him a cuddle.....he comes to greet you across the field...and because he's a typical boy...loves to pester anyone in the vicinity....usually ending up playing....'wheelbarrows'.......on the others...

He is Delicious..with a capital 'D'....and he is so cheeky..he likes a little....nibble....so 'N' is for Nibbles...
Its great to have these fantastic babies.....around, part of the pleasure....I can just watch them for hours.....playing chase in the field...and enjoying life......definitely give you the 'feel good factor'.

I would defy anybody...to spend a little time with them not to feel.....just great after wards !!