and so it came to pass that my last day at Limalonges Alpaca farm arrived. It was a beautiful day, with clear blue skies and lovely sunshimne - albeit pretty cold. The day itself went quite slowly - i had breakfast and then packed all my belongings up again. Then I visited the local supermarket to stock up on bottled water and comfort food, as i didnt know what to expect at the 'castle' in bressuire. When i got back Maria informed me that Tina the Tortoiseshell had given birth at alast - she had 3 little kittens - see attached video for the ultimate in cuteness!! Then i went out to give the alpacas their evening feed for the last time. And it seemed as though they knew i was going, because they were a ... read more

On Monday I witnessed the birth of an alpaca, when Persephone gave birth to a healthy, if gangly, Marcie, who weighed in at 8 kgs! It was quite an experience to witness, and the way that Marcie was up and walking withing 30 mins of being born was incredible - even if her legs were a little shakey. Sheree and Toby couldn't keep away and were constantly poking their noses in to places they shouldn't have!!! So heres some photos of baby and mum.... read more

Well, what can I say? These alpacas have no shame. I was busy working in the bottom field again, where Vision, the alpha male lives, when Maria decided to put Christine (the spitter) into the field. She hadn't been in the field for more than 5 seconds when Vision chased her around for about a minute, and then proceeeded to mate with her. And what a noise he makes!!! Christine looked totally unimpresssed but was compliant anyway. And he took about 30 minutes, which is quite normal apparently! Anyway whilst all this was going on i was busy cutting back and clearing the shrubbery, brambles, and the trees with the really hard, sharp, pointy, stabby prickles on them. I think I got stabbed in the head about a dozen times, and in the hands, arms, legs, ... read more

Well, I have been here a week now, and still enjoying it! It was mucking out day again today, so I cleared out 4 stables inhabited by goats, ducks, turkeys, and alpacas. So plenty of poo shovelling again. This week Becky and Jake decided they woukd like a ride around the farmyard in the trailer - which they seem to thoroughly enjoy. And it was soooooo cold today. All the mud was frozen solid, and we had to break the ice in all the animals water troughs so they could get a drink. But i soon warmed up once i started mucking out the stables. And 2 of the Silkies hatched today - they are tiny, about the sze of a walnut i would say. Still another 10 to go. Best part of the day though ... read more

Today I went to the market with Maria, who wanted to buy a billy goat and 4 turkeys. The goat was to 'service' her three nanny goats, who ara all in season, and the turkeys where to breed more turkeys for dog food. This is country life man! So we set off to Rouillac, about 30km away. And how good was the drive. mile after mile of open countryside, and hardly a car in sight. No road works. No traffc jams.No road rage. No stress! I really could get used to this.............. Anyway, we got to the market, which was full of little traders selling their chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons, turkeys, rabbits, dogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, you name it. But not a goat in sight sadly. I was looking forward to driving home with a randy ... read more