Well as the Fireworks are starting to go off, despite it being only 11.15 pm as I type, and we do last field checks for 2017, I look back at a few of my own thoughts of 2017 and share them with you…

True friendship – early in 2017 and having to call my friend in South Cerney at 2 am to help me birth a Wensleydale who was having twins and I could not get the second one out without assistance… she got to me in under 8 minutes and we managed together with all lambs out safely …

Saddest – when two yearling Alpaca galloping around the field, crashed into a female getting up from a roll, knocking her down and fracturing her spine, she was put to sleep but her genetics live on in her son and daughter retained in our breeding program… bless her heart she is missed

the happiest… when my parents celebrated their Queens Telegram worthy Wedding Anniversary…

and the most memorable… Celebrating 10 years of breeding Alpaca… on the Front Page of The Times…

but the best part of that is having “presentswithpaws” needle felted Alpaca mini replicas to remember the trio’s haircuts by forever…

       

of course many, many things happened in the course of the year but these just stand out…

wherever you are, whatever you are doing – take care, drive carefully, stay safe and from all of us at Kensmyth…

Happy New Year 2018  

 

 

 

 

well here comes part 2 of 2017 at Kensmyth, again every picture tells a story…

            

        

 

         

     

         

     

      

      

      

      

     

      

       

      

     

  

    

    

     

   

   

      

          

    

      

 

     

 

           

 

           

       

     

    

   

     

 

        

       

     

   

   

     

and so tomorrow we think about what lies ahead for Kensmyth in 2018 …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well it is “that time again” when we reflect upon the Year gone By (2017) before we look forward to the Year ahead (2018)

So, we start today with the first half of 2017 and the joys it brought to us – each picture tells its own story!

                     

 

 

             

 

                

          

 

    

    

 

                  

    

     

   

    

so what a beautiful first half of 2017 we had but if we thought that was busy, wait for the next half!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

well after the rain came… snow again. Ground pretty boggy now all over the County – but my lot thought it was hilarious…

and I saw this on Facebook and I too thought it hilarious…

well it was certainly a wet one here. If you think there is any respite from the weather as a Farmer – guess again, livestock come first, end of. Ground conditions not great but plenty of grass and ad lib hay all round.

It was mild but wet here and I managed to burn the Turkey Crown

as I spent so long doing my repeated livestock rounds… managed to get everything else done by covering…

and Thank You Mum for the Christmas pud…

mmm too much brandy perchance?

 

As Christmas Eve is upon us and our thoughts turn to safety of loved ones travelling, we remember the long journey all those years ago…

tonight some of the Alpaca were definitely wondering “which way to Bethlehem?” Merry Christmas to all from Kensmyth

as we all get crazy with Christmas Spirit and last minute sprout purchases… an opportunity to wish everyone involved with Kensmyth – friends, family, clients and those we have not met yet.. thank you for all your support

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

– back soon

 

I am often being asked in winter months if I do Alpaca walking and/or experiences for gifts. my reply is always the same, whenever I can, I will but I try to keep “time” for friends who have never held an Alpaca be they friends of my own or friends of groups who end up becoming friends… this December has been no exception and we have been rushed off our feet with requests to meet our Alpaca. You just have to brave the elements of course !

With wide open spaces here at Kensmyth, fenced with “see through” wire so that all can see and enjoy everything on show, we have had some great fun with our Stud Boys this December as they strut their stuff in the barns as newbie handlers learn to walk at the Alpaca slow pace (barns protecting feet from wet and cold) or outside with visitors – faces glowing with fresh air and happiness at meeting and walking with Alpaca for the very first time.

This is a “gift” that I never fail to take pleasure in giving… and the Alpaca queue up to take part in!

photos that make you smile…

and after the beautiful snow came the sludge and the ice which was pretty tricky…