Hello to my Blog followers – I did wonder what I can say about 2016 in summary that this Blog has not already revealed in the updates of our continuing Kensmyth story – So I decided to relive 2016 by means of “moments” that for many reasons are special to us as farmers and our family. Have fun reading, there are a few surprises!

 Super moment.

The arrival of a male cria to one of my Show Quality females. Long awaited as she previously had a girl, this boy is intended as our future new stud to our closed herd and whilst only a cria, shows all the signs of being an excellent one. What makes him extra special is that a friend who shows regularly at top British Alpaca Society Shows had a look at him and said he should be entered in the 2017 National – Marvellous. The fleece shot below was taken in his first weeks but his fleece now is awesome!

 Predicted Moment

Moving on, having worked so hard here for the past 4.5 years, the farm grasses here have so improved that- combined with the decision not to continue with Muscovy actually on farm here (good job as Avian Flu struck very recently so we were glad not to have any at Clay Meadow)

– having researched carefully for eighteen months the varying breeds…

Anticipated moment

we purchased some Rare Breed Greyface Dartmoor and both White and Black Wensleydale Sheep to help keep the flailing and topping necessity down!

We are looking forward to early lambing in 2017.

 Health moment

2016 brought the deaths of several family members and a couple of my friends; with one friend having a very close call. Also often going unmentioned – friends dogs. With my Father recovering from several hospital visits and so too my Mother in law, we have to thank the NHS, my doting Mother and our blessings that all are still with us. My father and Mother in Law reached 85 this year and my mother (although she wont admit it) is 80!

our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones this past year. That includes the celebrities, pop stars and actors and actresses, most memorable perhaps to me is Terry Wogan.

We should all think carefully about our own health and happiness because stress is a sure killer. If we can help others, we should, I am going to give blood more regularly this year.

 Baby moment

I became an Aunt yet again in 2016 to a gorgeous baby girl to my nephew and his girlfriend. I am best guessing 2017 might include an engagement and/or a wedding but who knows!

 Visitor moment

We had zillions of fab visitors to Kensmyth as a business this year and bookings for next year have already far exceeded this time last year. However, my winning visitor was a long awaited visit from my friend Marion from New Zealand whom I collected from Kemble station – the years rolled away and we were 18 again – we just don’t look it! I have made some lovely new friends this year so they are very special too – they know who they are!

Creative moment

Has to be for us at Kensmyth, the new Homepage with the latest additions, the sheep

 and many more new Alpaca baby shoes…

but running close third are the views from the hilly ridges of the Ridge and Furrow land that is our Alpaca farm here at Clay Meadow.

Hilarious moment

This has to be at Cirencester Corn Hall on Christmas Eve. A couple from a stand we are regularly next to with our Kensmyth wares; presented me with the unusual gift of a home grown, dew wet and picked that morning Brussell Sprout “tree”. We giggled all day and they were yummy too!

 sorry – I forgot to take a photo of that one!

However, as with all things I have been usurped technically by the Media skills of our youngest son Mitchell. Having achieved D*D*D* in his 2016 results for OCR 180 Credit Technical Media Production at Cirencester College,

he went on this Summer to win a major competition for animation for My Rode Reel with “Into the Storm” known to us all as Buddy.

Interested followers might like to know that the voice of Buddy is actually an Alpaca and this was filmed mainly on location here at Kensmyth.

just click on the arrow below with volume up…

Very proud, see what you think for yourself.

He worked hard with a team who are currently working on a major Film Production shooting on location here at Kensmyth amongst other sites. Watch this space folks!

We wish our family, friends, clients and soon to be clients the very best for 2017 and look forward to seeing you soon.

Happy New Year 2017.

Showing my age again with a Dido title but it does remind me that tomorrow night is New Years Eve.

We have been preparing for the New Year in all the usual ways…

Cria weaning – top priority – gently and calmly completed…

and halter training, toenail clipping, ADE jabs and time to admire the frosty mornings when putting out the hay…

so tomorrow a round up of “our farming year” as we look forward to the next and make our “Resolutions” – mine is to give blood more regularly. so no state secrets or diets to break or gym memberships!

With the local Pubs overflowing with solid bookings, it was time to revisit a favourite in Cirencester when we needed a break from Traditional Christmas cuisine and/ or cooking…

the Thai Emerald in the High Street in Cirencester never fails to provide excellent food and service…

The views from our hill over the land in the distance at sunset remains just – stunning…

bit behind as usual but we had a cheerful Christmas between animal feeding…

that’s the four legged kind…

Well we had a fantastic Christmas with a nice break and although very boozy for some, farming life continued with husbandry even on the colder evenings… weaning is next on the Agenda, closely followed by Halter Training as every year.

Meantime – we managed our “new look” homepage to include the sheep…

today is Christmas Eve and at the end of a fun day at the Cirencester Corn Hall selling our Alpaca products, it is time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas from all of us.

Please enjoy the Holly to be seen at the Bakers Arms in Somerford Keynes

and the outstandingly beautiful Cirencester church…

Well it is Christmas Eve tomorrow and I have made a few visits in this past week … all around there is a great feeling in the Cotswolds of goodwill and Festive Spirit…

My top marks go to Siddington Post Office which is only small but look at the effort they have made on behalf of their clients in Festive Cheer…

and we have had our last booked visitor here at Kensmyth to see the Alpaca and our latest additions…

from Fog to glowing, the sunrises have been spectacular this week…

Well with the Alpaca having been scanned a long time ago by myself and my trusty Probe Scanner, it was nice to take a “back seat” and let someone else do the work on the Sheep this year!

And I have to say that Luke was very efficient.

Yes, I can save money and use my scanner probe on sheep but I do not have the equipment required for the job as yet and not a worthy investment with such a teeny weeny flock as yet!

However – that might be something on a “wanted” list for another time.

meantime – all Ewes of all breeds here pregnant so fingers crossed for safe lambing in the New Year…