Blog
Fantastic Beasts and where to look for them Kensmyth Alpaca Stud
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!
Covid 19 – what will you remember? Kensmyth Alpaca, Clay Meadow
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 ..
Good news at last at Kensmyth, Clay Meadow
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..
Happy Birthday Sweet 60 at Kensmyth, Clay Meadow
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
Face masks compulsory in shops – Kensmyth, Clay Meadow
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!
Cirencester Market and colourful town at Kensmyth, Clay Meadow
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..
Courgette mad at Kensmyth, Clay Meadow
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!
Stamp Duty holiday.. remind anyone of the 80’s 1986-1990 situation???
Well the Government bless them have taken Stamp Duty away until April. In cased you missed it, its below the far more interesting and endearing potential new stud boy Kensmyth Breaking Bad!
cant wait to use him next year
Draught foals so different at Kensmyth, Clay Meadow
Very difficult to predict colour in any animal but especially where the mother is grey. Chestnut is usually dominant in most species but when going back so many generations, grey usually wins through in Draught horses..
Kensmyth Perugia as a foal
Kensmyth Perugia as a yearling
His full brother Drizzle as a foal..
Kensmyth Captain Drizzle as a foal..
Kensmyth Captain Drizzle turning grey..
if you cannot see it on the body – look around the eyes – its called the “foal peel” LOL
A Legacy to the Alpaca herd at Kensmyth Alpacas Clay Meadow
Such a beautiful boy throwing such beautiful cria but time to keep his daughters so he is seeking a new home where his fleece qualities, temperament and fertility will be appreciated, along with his friend and lifelong companion..