and introducing the White Wensleydale Sheep at Kensmyth…

Well, I have been asked for photos of our Rare Breed Sheep – so here we go, installed at Kensmyth at the beginning of June 2016, establishing their identity and role on the farm as grass cutters. Ewes all safely Tupped,  we are looking forward to 2017 lambs for our visitors… first the Greyface …

I know this is an Alpaca Blog and I am always behind – so Alpaca will follow shortly along with the Rare Breed Sheep which some of you are clamouring for pictures for… but just take a look at this, the last one of the year I am sure…

This is is the fruitful month – literally. with Blackberries just bursting and begging to be picked and apples needing off the trees, who am I to turn “free food” down?

BUT… I did go online and get myself a little “helper”

which, after a few interesting mistakes

did the job for me pretty much… bagged tagged and into the freezer

pity it doesn’t make the pastry, pies or crumbles though!

for those of you wondering what “is wrong” is that the little butterfly nut needed adjusting to make the peeling thinner but I thought it was a good idea to show it in the “wrong” position!! once adjusted this little beauty peels, slices and cores – you just have to stand up and feed the apples on tightly enough for it to do its job!

how beautiful is this?

SONY DSC

How beautiful is this season? And these words I saw on Facebook…

Kensmyth have three stunning, friendly Alpaca yearling males with top genetics for sale. Kensmyth Motivation, Kensmyth Gleam and Kensmyth Spectrum. fleece stats available. we shear topknots very low and around ears annually rather than leave PomPom heads to make ears look smaller. great Alpaca, light colours with outstanding Genetics. Kensmyth Legend the sire of two of them is out of EP Cambridge Aria (Dam) and EP Cambridge  Navigator is the Grandsire of the other. Look up their amazing genetics on the British Alpaca Society. Will separate – if going to join other Alpaca – fully vaccinated, wormed, microchipped, ear tagged and fully registered. all enquiries to Helen@kensmyth.com please 07799 700587 PRICE INCLUDES VAT

still raving about the colours of this time of year – have a look at this…

and a misty morning glow after that spectacular scene…

most readers know we are land locked safely between the Old Canal way below our hilltop and the old steam railway now disused. it adds to the character of the land which is safely fenced throughout… but on some days the Autumn colours are just stunning… even if looking over other folks land…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p047t6g9

This is the interview (3 hours) on BBC Radio Gloucestershire this morning.

The topic of “Future for Farmers” is introduced at the start and threads through the recording. great listening as always.

If you want to skip to listen to the main parts, use the forward arrow on the screen tolook at: 01.03, 01.07, 01.13,01.33, 02.00, 02.08, 02.14 and 02.33.

I was visited by Freya from the BBC on Friday, 30^th September who had a tour of our Alpaca Farm and interviewed me.

The discussion is about the current and prospective Sales of Land by Gloucestershire County Council since 2010. So it is talking about the Future of Farmers in Gloucestershire looking to become Tenant Farmers.

We moved our Alpaca Business, (established on our previous farm about 10 miles away in 2008) to Clay Meadow which was sold by Gloucestershire County Council in 2012 because their own plans for it failed.

It was on the market for a long time because GCC had let the land go to ruin with impoverished sward with an invasive weed problem – scotch thistle and poor fencing to name but two issues with it.

We have invested a lot of time, effort and money into the land and have turned it around to great grass and productive use of the land with our Alpaca farm which Visitors both locally and Internationally enjoy.

As I stated in the BBC radio interview -whilst we are here, it will stay as a working livestock farm.

Below is a photo of the BBC Radio Gloucestershire and Freya car in our Car Park!