Storm Arwen and Winter is coming – my heart goes out to those who lost loved ones in this and those of my farming friends who lost livestock and fodder and shelters in the cruel blitz that wrought havoc in the Cotswolds and all over the UK. Snow in November not unexpected but what dramatic change to the temperatures we have enjoyed to now..

Winter IS coming..

With the warm hues of the trees just before their leaves fall I am reminded of the year that has disappeared in a flash with all that went with it, sadness and happiness, hope and despair but most of all joy.

We can all count our blessings and be happy if we just look around us and realise what we have, rather than covet what we have lost or feel we need.. as the sun rises and sets as the year goes on.. we have hope.

Well we rarely get out together but with a rare days holiday, a quick lunch out was the order of the day.

Not having visited for well over a year we were pleased to be able to walk in without booking and get a table.

Super service, highly recommend although we eat in the restaurant as we find the lounge dining a little too crowded for Covid and the open fires a bit smokey but definitely cosier!

Battered Cod and Beef no less – yum yum.

Well “fatboy” as he is nicknamed is well on the way to being weaned now, despite inclement weather conditions and is a happy little soul. Well, not so little as he is pretty huge with the biggest knees and more bone than his Mum – outstanding bloodlines, outstanding conformation, outstanding temperament, outstanding potential!

but he still has not quite got all his “black points” through has he?

Well those of you who do not know where Alpaca come from just need to know that it is a lot hotter than here! No seriously hotter than here and with lots more sunshine than (even with climate change) we have here in the Cotswolds. Peru, Chile, ranging across the plains with sparse grass, little wet ground and wall to wall sunshine might bring freezing conditions but it also means the whole herd need extra vitamins in winter.

This is administered in the form of a subcutaneous injection of ADE to each and every Alpaca – NOT just the cria, not just the pregnant mums – literally the whole herd.

What better time than to do each Alpacas eight toenails at the same time?

Perfect pedicures call for a good foot wash – surely? What better use for a fashionable lady is the refilling water trough?

Well the colours of Autumn are truly here – for the time it takes the leave to fall to the ground. I do love a frost with the scrunching underfoot and the hint of a promise of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts by the fire don’t you?

And the inevitable 101 uses of .. sprouts!

such wonderful views..

Well a quick trip to Truro it was not.. my one day of escape with hubby and son doing livestock for my break for freedom (joke) and I set off for my beloved Cornwall. Only to find after 3.5 hours relatively free roads a 45 minute detour to get into Truro and then a 25 minute wait to get into the Car park. The view from the top of the Car Park is quite spectacular though..

BUT the best was the beauty of “things yet to come” as the Christmas lights are already hung in Truro – look closely at the photo below and look up at that beautiful Angel – bless!

Well that is Bonfire Night over again for 2021 – just the Christmas Fireworks and then the New Year 2022 ones to come.. few think about the livestock in the fields when all you see is advertising for protecting your dogs/cats etc.. well they get scared too, really, really scared and can run headlong into fences etc in sheer terror.

Never forget that most animals in the fields are “flight” animals – they run..

All in barns and patrolled here so all good – meantime I thought this was a spooky Guy Fawkes picture of the trees at night LOL

well there is nothing like four willing boys going for a walk is there?

getting ready for weaning shortly – meantime so curious the cria are lol!

This beautiful picture of my grand daughter just captures November – welcome this beautiful month..