Hi all, I have updated some more YouTube video recently. The most recent one, is connected to gardening. I am talking about seeds to sow in January and there is a box opening. I wonder what it might be, something to do with seed sowing maybe? If you do enjoy the video, could you click the subscription (which does NOT cost you anything, it just helps the channel to grow) and a like would be fab. Also, if you click the bell , you will be notified every time I make a video. That way you won’t miss anything. No worries if not, I know that it isn’t everyone’s thing.
When starting my blog, the weather seems to be a main focus, when I am evaluating what has been going on, but when working outside I suppose it would be. When thinking back, when I was working in a school. The weather had an impact, on whether the children could get out and run around at break times, but that was it really. Obviously, it could impact on getting to and from work, along with everyday running about but it is not the same as life now. No matter what the weather is like, snow, ice, torrential rain – which we have had a lot of recently, floods, boggy field, you still have to make sure that the animals are cared for and that they are as well as they can be. They still need feeding; their shelters kept tidy; they need to be checked for their health, such as, their weight, eyes checked for a healthy blood supply – as this can indicate internal parasites or other issues; feet checked and cut when needed and the tasks go on. But what I found myself telling someone the other day, was that when I was working in education (which I absolutely loved), I used to work so hard that I would constantly look to the holiday for a break. I would often be poorly, during the break as I had been so focused on work. However, now, I do not really have a holiday, as the animals need what they need, all year round. I do not find myself looking for a break or a holiday. Granted, I am not working anywhere near as hard, well I am nowhere near as stressed, and sometimes, I think that when you are under great stress, no matter what the reason, everything seems so much harder and onerous anyway.
I suppose, from what I was talking about connected to the weather and it being the beginning of a new year, it gives me the chance to reflect on the changes which have occurred over the last 12 to 18 months, and review the good, the bad and the ugly. As you will know, if you watch the YouTube channel or have read my previous blogs, I have some health issues. Although these do cause things to be more difficult, I try really hard not to allow them to identify me. I work hard to do what I can, when I can and feel accomplishment through that. I have come a long way since I first contracted COVID in April 2020. I am far more relaxed and easier going. I have come to terms with the change in pace and the new me. I actually much prefer the new me! I so wish I could talk to my younger self and say that the stress is really not worth it. I definitely have less money now and have to be extremely frugal in the way that I live but surely, that is not a bad thing.
Through this time, the smallholding has grown. I never thought I would say this, as at the time, I thought the land was more than enough – vast even. But now, I find myself wishing that we had more land, to support the management of the animals! However, I do not have that luxury so I am thankful for what we do have and will make the best of it.
Within the last 12 months, we purchased numerous chickens, which are giving us some lovely eggs. I think they thought the cold spell we had was winter, as I was only getting about one to three eggs a week. However, now that it has warmed up, I think that they believe it is springs as we are getting more than that a day. I did initially set up an honesty box, type area, by the gate of the smallholding but had limited foot traffic and purchases so I reached out on Facebook and friends and family were delighted to purchase the eggs, which I would drop up to Plymouth once a week. This was until they went off lay, first of all for moult and then due the weather and less light, due to shorter days.
However, I thought that I would give the honesty box/stall a new lease of life this year and see how it goes. I am hoping to have flowers and any extra veg, which the animals don’t need, to go out on the stall. Maybe, I just need to advertise it more effectively. I know that when I advertised free alpaca poo, that went down a treat and disappeared straight away. I don’t even advertise it now, I just pop it out and it is gone! Alpaca and goat manure is great for compost bins, hot bins and gardens as it does not need to be left, it can go straight on. As it’s only grass, you only get a slight odour for a little while, but it is like rocket fuel for your plants, so it is more than worth it.
We also brought home the alpacas in March this year. That was an experience! It was like being an expectant mother and although I have had less stress, I did get stressed about this. I was checking the field for anything that I didn’t recognise. Is this safe for them to eat, is that safe for them to eat. I ended up getting an app on my phone, which took all of the worry away (app – picture this). I can laugh about it now but at the time, I was so worried that I would cause them ill, by not being vigilant enough. Thank goodness, I am much more chilled about their care now. No less serious but more relaxed in my own knowledge and ability in caring for them. We have gone from having incredibly aloof alpacas to ones that will eat out of your hand. Are relaxed with a halter on, and the one which is not pregnant, will walk happily next to you with her halter on. And yes, we have two which are pregnant! This was one of the things that really took me by surprise was the way in which they changed from the second they had been mated. The biggest change was with Madame Butterfly, who we call Maddy. When we first got her, she was a complete diva. She would give me a stare, which clearly said, don’t come near me. When I was near, she would run up on their mound, to get the high ground, and make spitting noises but not really spitting. However, with lots of patience and a very calm persona, she came round. She then became the complete opposite and was a complete darling. She trusted us to touch her, and even cuddle her. However, after mating, she did a complete 360 and was back to being a diva again. I could not believe it. I had worked so hard, and she had reverted back. I have worked with her since being pregnant and have got some way with her but I will have to see what happens when she has unpacked. I know, unpacked – too funny. That is what it is called when an alpaca gives birth. This will not be until July but how amazing. We will have to see what we have. Maddy’s fleece is great quality, so I am hoping her cria will follow suit. However, due to the lateness in unpacking, I will not be breeding them again this year. I will be leaving that until early next year. An alpaca carries their young for approximately 11 months and you do not want any cria later than July really. I have the option of breeding Paloma, who we call Polly but because I have her walking on a halter, I might work on this with her instead. I am hoping to offer 1:1 with the animals this year but we need to get this darn wet weather out of the way first.
Another addition this year was the goats. I do so love the goats, they are so loving. They love their food and if they think you have any, they will mob you, but they also love a good scratch and will follow you around or nibble on your clothes until you have done this. I am so lucky to have had the two gorgeous kids from the nannies. However, I am unable to keep all of the animals, as I do not have the room and I am trying to run a business at the same time, as being lucky enough to keep the animals. This means that the kids need to be sold on to fantastic homes. I am in the process of selling them on at the moment. They are of good breeding, stature and nature so they shouldn’t take long to sell. Well, one of them, Toffee is already sold to a lady in Wales. Toffee will be going to join some guernsey goats, which will be a new chapter for her and also for her owner. Therefore, it is just our gorgeous Bobbin left to sell. She is so cuddly and a big baby but it is a bit naughty when there is food around.
Also, snow, is definitely pregnant and I had put a picture on Instagram the other day to see what people thought. Whether she was carrying one, two or three? The consensus was twins so we will have to see, if this is the case, at the end of March. Storm is also meant to be pregnant! She hasn’t obviously come back into season since being mated but her tummy is not growing like Storms. However, like humans animals do things differently and it could be that she is a little more toned or is only carrying one kid. She is approximately 2 weeks later that Snow, but we shall see, come April if she has a kid or not.
All of the animals need feeding and that has been quite a big demand this year. Due to the dry summer and the wet winter, the animals have needed more hay than usual. The ground being waterlogged is not good for the grass, which means that it is not growing, even if it is a bit warmer and has little, if any, nutritional value. Therefore, the animals have been given extra feeds as well.
Some of the feed has been grown by me. I have realised that I need to beef this up for next year so that I can accommodate this more. As the chickens are in flockdown, due to avian flu, they have needed more greens to keep them going as well. They have been eating perpetual spinach, chard and lettuce throughout the winter, which has helped to keep them healthy and also keep the food bill down. If the chickens are allowed out, they are fed very little as they find most of their food by eating bugs, grubs and grass etc but obviously when they are confined to quarters, they are unable to do this. I just wish the flockdown was connected to areas of high risk. We have not had any confirmed cases down here for some time. The majority of cases are through the centre of England and Wales. However, the powers that be have decided that its England wide so we have to abide by the measures, but I have to say that it is extremely frustrating and most upsetting for the birds. They see the grass outside of their cages and look at it longingly. I do what I can, but it doesn’t make up for free ranging.
I have lots of plans for growing this year. I was extremely happy as I did manage to grow sprouts and swede, which I had not grown before so I will be giving them another go. I have a monthly seed sowing plan, but I just need to try and keep on top of it. I am hoping to create a hot bed from one of our, now unused IBC tanks, however I need a little bit of help from my hubby to do this! A hot bed allows you to grow crops earlier. You fill the bed with manure and animal bedding, such as from the goat shelter, which very soon needs a good clear out. Then on top of that you add compost, which you can plant into. The way it works is that due to the manure and animal bedding breaking down and composting, this causes heat, which is like having your very own, FREE, propagator. No electric needed! This will allow me to jump start a lot of vegetables, which can be fed to the animals, to us and hopefully be able to sell.
So, all in all, it has been a good year. There has been a lot of watching YouTube along the way; looking at plant apps to ensure that the animals are safe; reaching out to people with more knowledge than I, and I do have to say a huge shout out to Castle Vets in Launceston ( www.castlevetinarygroup.co.uk ) as they have been incredibly understanding when I have rung with some concerns and sending them some very odd pictures at times, and I am sure they must have thought that I was a little mad. Well, to be honest I feel that about myself sometimes 😊. However, they were simply amazing.
There is still lots that I could jabber on about, but I don’t want to be sending you all to sleep.
I have also decided to update the blog, once a month as there will be more to update with then, as sometimes I felt like I was repeating or it was a bit boring.
I hope to be able to share some new recipes in next months blog to tantalise your taste buds.
But for now, it just leaves me to say bye and I look forward to updating you on our goings on in a months’ time. However, if you feel that you need a Pintail fix, pop on over to YouTube to see what is going on, and also watch for updates on both Instagram and Facebook. I do try to keep them as up to date as possible.
Take care for now,
Cathy
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