Kensmyth

Welcome May – normally it brings lush grass and warmth but we had the warmth in April the driest on record and Frosts are reappearing, it will not last and the grass will grow again soon.. meantime enjoy the sunset I witnessed which was more like the Northern Lights than the Cotswolds!

I could not believe the colours this sunset had – welcome May 2021

I am often asked why you need Field Shelters for Alpaca and why will not just hedges do? Well the answer lies in many different scenarios according to the location of your fields in the UK. Combine this with almost zero lanolin in the fleece and you will find that Alpaca die of hypothermia (cold) in the Winter when wet and cold in outdoor often windy conditions and of hyperthermia (heat) in Summer (and in last few years Spring early heatwaves and Autumnal late Indian Summers) .. so Field shelters are ESSENTIAL to protect from the wet/cold/wind and the heat/sun and provide shade.

It is true that white Alpaca will tend to stay outside until in the heaviest of fleeces (think of white clothes and white cars being cooler) but they too need shelter all year round. They will choose what suits them best.

Especially when hot prior to shearing, it is essential for heavily fleeced Alpaca to be able to get out of the heat and into the cool. Paddling pools are all very well but will not replace the shade of shelter when the sun burns down.

Every field has a shelter or two at Kensmyth.

well they say the camera never lies – lining up to enhance their images.. lol

Well sometimes we forget how beautiful it is when Spring has sprung, albeit the grass is not really growing yet and hay is going to be scarce – get out and have a play with the camera and the animals..why not?

This time last week the Royal family and the world prepared for the funeral of a husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, Great Grandfather and truly wonderful man.. what will you be doing at 3pm tomorrow?

My heart goes out to the Queen and all those who have lost a loved one of a lifetime..

Last year at this point you could not hear a voice, a car, an aeroplane and the wonder of the white blossom whiter than snow and pinker than a flamingo – boy is it different this week with the world reawakening.. I wonder how long those not wearing masks and flocking for the beauty spots will take before they cause us to be shut down again?

Where does time go? it just flies.. so proud of our Wensleydale rams and our sheepdog LOL

I know it is the funeral today but I feel that new beginnings of a foal due are appropriate to remember him by.. he loved horses and so it is fitting that our Draught due not too long now should show her tummy and make you laugh, instead of dwelling on what will be “the” funeral remembered for years to come going on in the real world.. our beloved mare is jet black.. God Bless and let us hope the funeral goes without incident in such troubled times..

I have decided not to cut my Alpacas eyelashes thus far but I fear I may have to soon.. longest ever this year between shearing. They come off at shearing of course which is next month folks!

just look to the left.. that is her left of course not yours..

and look to the right..

if you cannot see them, this helpful piece of grass end almost points to the end of her lashes lol!

with sunny temperatures daytime reaching 16 degrees and night time about -1 or zero, there is often fog/mist or frost in the mornings.. Loving the Llamas ..