well the heatwave abated for a short while then returned and with so many strikes and lorry parks, no wonder the Bank Holiday carried dire warnings for travellers but at least the Festivals were still on, Carnivals too.. time for salads.

I have been donating fruit left right and centre from the orchard, from the chap who collects the Skips to every single visitor, they enjoy a bag of plums, apples and pears.. does this mean an extra hard winter ahead?

Well if you think we are quiet anytime on the Blog, rest assured we are madly busy. We have been doing training of the two year olds, training of new alpaca owners and all farm work on site despite the heat. With the alpaca cria drop from this year (those not sold and gone with their mothers) and the vulnerable needing protecting from the heat is it full on!

Meantime, we have another little project on the go.. now why might I be visiting a Quarry and looking at stone I wonder?

Things are starting to happen at Kensmyth and we are already into 16th year of breeding!

Sometimes we have to stop and take stock of what we are doing and why and who is it all for.. there is nothing like a rising two year old human to put it in perspective for you..

An inherited rocking chair from her nephew..

a drive in the tractor with Grandpa..

and bye bye Grandma and Grandpa see you all soon!

Hot days and no shade without water can kill young and pregnant alpaca and the older ones even though they come from a substantially hotter climate than we are used to.

Fantastic to see all the cria eating from troughs when they all have the space not to be bullied but shade and water all the way please folks!

Do NOT assume the mothers will take them in..

Well I can tell you this was no mean feat. Many folk know we live on a hill, well that means getting a gate level in clay ground can take some doing..

cracking result and a great team to work with, could not recommend more highly! Especially in this heat

I say it almost every year now but we are in for a tough winter, the season of heat dry heat and little rain has taken its toll on the abundance of fruit in the fields

but the blackberries tell the tale with their fruits already out for the picking.. we even had walnuts in the orchard this year!

Well congratulations to the Lioness team for Ladies Football, it should be on the school curriculum now for sure!

Welcome to August 2022 with half the year nearly gone and welcome to our own little Lioness my Grand Daughter .. now you remember those cherries I mentioned previously ?