A visit from the vet…a good one!

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We have actually had some quite nice weather over the last couple of days. When I say nice…I mean one layer of clothing nice, not hot enough to hunt out the shorts, but warm enough to take off my wellies. Despite the dreadful summer, we have not regretted cria shearing; all the newly purchased coats are still in their packing. They have never looked in the least bit cold and have looked happier in the rain than those in heavy full fleece. They also have the advantage of getting the sun (what little we have) on their backs. I have just given one of the dark coloured liveried cria (who were not shorn) injectable AD&E today. He has a dense fleece and was looking a bit stiff and lethargic. We have never had a case of rickets but I would rather prevent the possibility than wait.

Talking of sunshine, I had been hoping for a short winter holiday (Oman was rather nice last year…so I was thinking maybe Abu Dhabi) however, Paul it seems has other plans and they are not to take me to the Seychelles…no…he has taken two weeks off work to build another belter (a cross between a barn and a shelter). The ground has been cleared in preparation. This one is going to be extra large. I suppose it serves me right for having so many alpacas.

The first belter (houses 15-20 alpacas) ...the new one will be twice the size.

The first belter (houses 15-20 alpacas) …the new one will be twice the size.

I suspect I am not flavour of the month any way after his outing on Sunday; I had arranged for the lovely Cambridge Camilla (sire; Accoyo Remarque) to go on a day trip with her daughter Beck Brow Rumour Has It (sire; Ep Cambridge Top Account of Fowberry) and had recruited Paul as the chauffeur. Camilla is Explorer’s dam and thus Rumour his sister, so we needed an outside stud if we were to stay with white. So at 8am Paul headed off to Furze Park Alpacas. Camilla to meet Ep Cambridge Imposing and Rumour had a date with Furze Park Telstar. Paul arrived home at 10pm…a 14 hour trip!!! Lets hope they spit-off.

Cambridge Camilla...dam of Beck Brow Explorer

Cambridge Camilla…dam of Beck Brow Explorer

We had a lovely evening last night. Seven of the vets from our veterinary practice (specialising in farm animals) came out to the farm for a couple of hours. We had a general discussion about health planning, emergency care scenarios, and also did some handling. Afterwards we all went out for a meal. I would not hesitate in recommending the Paragon Veterinary Group their caring approach and willingness to work together is exceptional…we had a good laugh too!

We are now have only two females left to birth; Inca Garland sired by Popham Thunder(the was she/wasnt she girl who is) and Beck Brow Snooty Boots (sired by Waradene St Patrick of EPC). Both fawn, Garland is pregnant to Explorer and Boots to Black Sabbath, so it will be interesting to see what we get.

Inca Garland (foreground) with Beck Brow Snooty Boots behind.

Inca Garland (foreground) with Beck Brow Snooty Boots behind.

As we have had some better weather, I have been up in the paddock with the camera…

Apologies if I have a photo of Beck Brow Applause in nearly every blog. She is so elegant and photogenic…rather like her half brother Beck Brow Crafter (dam; Silverstream Galaxy)

Beck Brow Applause (sire: Timbertop CT Goldmine of Beck Brow)

Beck Brow Applause (sire: Timbertop CT Goldmine of Beck Brow)

Beck Brow Bedazzle sired by Beck Brow Explorer.

Beck Brow Bedazzle sired by Beck Brow Explorer.

Beck Brow Byker. Dam the beautiful Ep Cambridge Lady Gaga. Sire; Goldmine.

Beck Brow Byker. Dam the beautiful Ep Cambridge Lady Gaga. Sire; Goldmine.

Beck Brow Chocks Away is the image of his sire Goldmine (dam; Beck Brow Fine Romance...another Silverstream Galaxy daughter.

Beck Brow Chocks Away is the image of his sire Goldmine (dam; Beck Brow Fine Romance…another Silverstream Galaxy daughter.

Beck Brow Golden Sunset (sire: Goldmine. Dam Ep Cambridge Aria)

Beck Brow Golden Sunset (sire: Goldmine. Dam Ep Cambridge Aria)

Beck Brow Match Point. This might just be my favourite. Sire Goldmine. Dam Bozedown Magic Charm

Beck Brow Match Point. This might just be my favourite. Sire Goldmine. Dam Bozedown Magic Charm

Beck Brow On The Money (sire: Goldmine. Dam; Bozedown Campari)

Beck Brow On The Money (sire: Goldmine. Dam; Bozedown Campari)

Beck Brow Jeepster (sire: Waradene St Patrick) whispering to Byker. Beck Brow Wasabi (sire; Beck Brow Explorer) behind...he is in contention for favourite!

Beck Brow Jeepster (sire: Waradene St Patrick) whispering to Byker. Beck Brow Wasabi (sire; Beck Brow Explorer) behind…he is in contention for favourite!

I seem to have a lot of photos of Goldmine progeny…I think that might just be because they are the cheeky ones! Explorer has another son. Beck Brow Lucie (sire: Ep Cambridge Top Account of Fowberry) has had a full brother for Adventurer (1st placed junior white male at the National Show). Another lovely fleece and a bit more of a chunky chap, weighing in at 10.4kgs. A bit too big as we (that being me and Lucie) needed a little help from our neighbour, Charlie. But he was out safely with a bit of manoeuvring and some lube. We are going to name him Charlie but as he looks to have potential we need to make it more stand out…first suggestion is Checkpoint Charlie…but yet to be decided.

Of course when up the paddock I always have company…and not just alpacas

Milly and Velvet

Milly and Velvet

Is Velvet the most patient dog ever!

Is Velvet the most patient dog ever!

Honestly she gets brushed every night!

Honestly she gets brushed every night!

Finally…returning to the importance of the quality of the dam when choosing a stud male…the fleece at the beginning of this blog belongs to the dam of our new fawn stud male, currently in New Zealand awaiting importation.

Categories: Blog

3 comments

  1. Dave says:

    bootifull!

  2. Shirley & Robbie Thomson says:

    Who needs a holiday anyway when you live in a lovely area like Cumbria? Paul made a cracking job of the last belter, look forward to seeing the megabelter shortly! Shirley & Robbie

  3. WilliamKn says:

    I truly appreciate this article.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome. Gniewek

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