well the cria are growing beautifully here at Kensmyth and so are the Sloes which are incredibly early to be this big – it could be a very long winter again I think with these changes in temperatures so quickly back and forth..

Biosecurity at Kensmyth for the Alpaca for new followers includes full badger fencing but also 8ft lanes between all paddocks. These obviously need grazing and so 3 years ago now we purchased some British Spotted Ponies in order to do the legwork on this.

It is amazing to think that after that nearly year gestation, birth and development our beautiful filly Kensmyth Kinda Cute or Kinda to her friends is so stunning and so happy with her pal doing the job for which she was intended.

Happy Birthday Kinda – soon it will be time for you to go and be a ridden pony for someone to love but meantime you are only just two!

Well I have said previously that my husband is green fingered and always grows too much even if not trying to but also I believe this year the weather and cleaner air has created many more Vegetable growers in Lockdown too.

Here on the farm with the amazing Alpaca fertiliser – is no exception – luckily I saw on the internet you can cook with chillies and oil and freeze courgettes for the winter so in my spare time..

We are so pleased with our boys this year and their cria from 2019 matings are literally outstanding. It is so nice to breed consistent quality and size in Alpaca when you do so much with the fleeces. In terms of husbandry as well as progeny having superb temperaments too always helps – lets hear it for the boys!

I was asked recently what I will remember most about the Covid 19 period. Well obviously the stress for others in the world, the deaths of those in our close knit family and horrific time but actually not seeing my parents, family  and friends falls pretty high on the list. Still in the vulnerable category despite not such a great distance away, visiting is still not frequent as it could be pre Covid 19.

Livestock difficulties, being unable to open to Visitors until 4th July, lack of any Covid 19 funding whatsoever from the Government for Farmers where others got up to £10k Grants FOC, there are many niggly little things to recall in times to come.

For me though, one of the things I noticed too was the freshness of the feel to the air and the land, the whiter blossom on the fruit trees, the fuller more exotic blooms and even now Sloes..

not to mention NO smell of McDonalds when visiting Tescos which is sadly back, as are the queues for it.. and the litter on the grass verges ..

well with all the bad news around, some good news with the Draught mare at least retaining her pregnancy and a viable heartbeat – phew!

and meantime I have NEVER seen such a chilled out Colt let alone a yearling Draught Giant Stallion in the making..

well somebody was Sixty recently and it was not me Officer! A very happy bunny with his new toy ..

just perfect for the fencing that needs replacing before winter this year LOL. Meantime some of the most beautiful cards received and CAKE, thank you friends and especially MUM for making it !

definitely the “wonder years” now

what a funny old world we live in these days. Some folk wear masks and social distance and others feel it is above them. Businesses are going bust because folk wont visit or go out but folk happily shop in store without a care.. I just don’t get it – do you? Covid 19 is out there folks.. leading by example I wear the colourful mask – proof!

Well I managed to pop into Cirencester the other day and was shocked to see how few folk were wearing masks or social distancing. Lovely to see the old town so pretty and colourful with the Market. Reminded me of Dunedin in New Zealand when I visited many decades ago. Love the colours on the Town Houses..

well hubby is green fingered so I need all your Courgette recipes please folks.. I have too many. But they do go down well with Scotch eggs.. garlic, chilli and cheese!