Shearing

Usually shearing is a pretty hectic, although fun day, with friends that are able to help, staying for a bbq, swim and a good old catch up. This year however for pretty different, there was the sum total of Alan and I, Kym and James Dixon our fantastic regular shearers and eight alpacas. That was it! James and Kym spend most of the year in Europe, including the UK, and the rest of the time in Oz, their home.

The build up was a bit of a nightmare, we had dreadful weather and all of us in Andalucia were trying hard to keep our animals dry leading up to our appointed shearing dates, with heavy storms forecast. The poor 5 boys were shut in a little stable, for about three days, and the girls in a shelter too. The day before shearing we actually had some dry weather so let them all out for a run around, and shut them back in again overnight.... just in case.

Well the sun was shining down on us the day of shearing, well for most of it anyway. Due to the weather being a little on the dodgy side, we got stuck in straight it. As usual everything ran as smooth as clockwork. Bless his heart little Santa was crying like a real baby, as his favourite friend in the whole wide world Rafa was being sheared, he just did not know what was happening to him, and it all got too much for him when it was his turn, he just could n't stop green oozy stuff, oozing out of his mouth and a wee bit of wee wee happening too. Thank goodness for an old towel kept handy, just in case. Bless him. James and Kym stayed over which meant we could have a lovely relaxed evening together before leaving for our friends in Ronda early the following morning. Keep in touch guys, we wish you all the best best for the future, we will miss you xxx

Usually I post before and after photos of all the alpacas, but just for a change, just a few random ones for you this year!

The boys looking a little gloomy

Breakfast before shearing

Cassandra, she is such a star, being sheared by James

The girls follow Alan to another paddock, to make room for the boys

Little Santa, watching Rafa being sheared

The boys checking out who is who!

Semana Santa celebrations in Montoro

The celebration of Semana Santa (Easter week) is huge in Montoro, in fact we were talking to a lady who had come from Granada to experience Montoro's celebrations. These celebrations were made so much better this year as we spent time with our great friends Pat and Pedro, who were able to tell us, where to go, when and why.... even if it meant considering leaving home at midnight to see the most amazing parade.

We met on the Tuesday evening first, for a great night full of loud marching bands, men dressed in Klu Klux Klan style outfits. The hoods are actually worn throughout the week to signify the mourning of the death of Jesus and removed to celebrate the resurrection. These outfits certainly do not have any other significance to the Klu Klux Klan. Ladies dressed in black with high mantillas walk through the streets, and the most unbelievable effigies which are carried through the streets. each effigy is very heavy, especially in Andalucia. Stong men carry them, in stages, swapping every 100 metres on so, and they will feel pain. These men feel it an honour to be carriers. An effigy can weigh up to a staggering 7000 lbs, 5150 kilos!!! Emotions are high and people shed tears at this awesome display of their beliefs. We stood for hours and every second was worth the wait as we saw two beautiful effigies make their way around the town. The first had Jesus on, following by the awesome candle lit virgin Mary! Tuesday evening with followed by a gorgeous meal, in one of Montoro's finest eateries!

Just stunning!

I was "umming" and arring" about meeting Pat and Pedro for the all nighter for the Maundy Thursday parades. In the end I decided not to go as it had been raining on and off and it meant leaving home around midnight, and Alan picking me up again around 7 am. I'm afraid in the end I did n't go, I was n't quite hard core enough. Poor Pat and Pedro, did go and it all sadly got rained off. There would have been some devastated people that had be planning the night for the past year. I believe the Maundy Thursday parades are really the ones to see!

We did however go into town on Sunday for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. The town were all out in their finery, some you would think we going to a wedding, rather than watching a parade in the street. let's hope next year I can manage the Thursday parades too!

We did however watch the Sunday morning parade deplicting the resurrection

New babies on the farm!

We knew Barb the mummy cat was expecting, the big tummy was a dead give away, plus the fact that she always has a litter this time of the year. The day came that she know longer her her cute kitten bump, but where were the kittens? The year before she had them fairly openly in the barn, and seemed to even call us when she felt happy for us to see them, however this year was different. We tried watching her carefully over the next few days, checking out where she was going, and hunting around areas of chopped wood, the barn, the stable, and other places that she tends to move her kittens to, when she feels ready. In fact we were very worried that they may not be alive, she certainly was n't spending much time with them! It took us days to find them, and that was mainly due to Arthur the Spanish Mastin. He would bark uncontrollably at her as she walked passed his territory, otherwise known as the big terrace, were he and the other dogs, hang out! Nothing new there though. There is a funny little out building near his big gates, where he likes to stand and bark at stars, full moon, or anyone working on the olive trees. Alan and I had even climbed in to this precarious little building and could n't see them.

I guess it was about a week later when Alan came in with the news I was hoping for. He had found them, there were two, and they were both alive. I shot round there with a camera, I was so pleased.

The little out building

They were living in this hole in the wall!!!

Cuddled up together

Barb really kept these kittens well hidden, but it is great to see nature at it's best, without any interference from us. From the beginning Barb was bringing them up to be independent as she could, and not depend her her too much. She would go to them every few hours, and then return to do her own thing, laze in the sun or hunt, without the fuss and bother of new born kittens constantly by her side. As I am so late keeping you all up to date with the blog, I can however let you know about 3 months down the line, the kittens are beautiful and pretty independent. Still extremely nervous but that is fine with us. I have shared some up to date photos below. I'm sure you will agree they are little stunners. After a particularly good football match we saw on the television recently, we can now introduce you properly to Messi and Xavi! Who knows what sex they are, but they join last years litter of Andres (Iniesta) Sergio (Ramos), who sadly seemed to get a transfer somewhere else, and Fernando (Torres) who know appears to be just Fern, if you know what I mean! Enjoy our new arrivals!

Mummy Barb at dinner time with her babies

The stunning Messi

And cute little Xavi

A Little poorly Blue

Please don't panic when you read this post. I began it around six months ago. In have now managed to with elbow Alan off of the laptop (I have now sent him to watch some Lose Women) plus the weather is just far too hot to do any more than the essentials, so at last I can catch up on my blogs.

Our beautiful female mastin Blue had a little period of being under the weather, poor love! Around November we noticed when we took her for walks, she was passing blood in her urine. At first we did n't worry too much as we knew she woud be soon coming into season, and thought it maybe linked with that. However after she had finished her "time of the year" she was still passing blood. We discussed it with our vet and he recommended blood testing her here at home, as she gets very travel sick in the car, so we only take her out in the car if it is a real necessity, and he was coming to blood test the alpacas anyway. It showed she had a bit of an infection so he precribed some antibiotics. As she is a very big girl, and they are prescribed by weight, we had boxes and boxes of them, bless her. A month later and yet another course of antibiotics and poor Blue seemed no better.

The next plan was a urine test. Hehe Alan looked so funny going off for a walk wearing a rubber glove and carrying an old tupperwear container. She always does a wee at the same place so we were ready to launch the tupprwear container under her, when all of a sudden she caught us totally unawares and squatted in a diferent place! Phew Alans rubber glove worked well and we managed to collect what we needed.

The testing of Blues urine showed crystals, in simple terms we had to change the PH balance of her urine. So we did quite a bit of research on line, and it all added to to the same answer - we had to buy a bag of hugely expensive food! So we bought the hugely expensive food, that for most dogs would have lasted months, for Blue, just over 2 weeks! She was doing well however and the blood loss almost completely stopped, however we knew we could not afford to keep her on the specific diet. Once again we chatted to our vet and we decided with his blessing to feed her rice, and hot dogs (like the farmers eat here whilst working) and a small handful of her normal dog food. What we did not want were for her to be on the dry biscuity type of food.

It is now six months down the line, and touch wood she is doing great. She has lost weight and is more perky and puppy like that ever ..... Oh God! She still loves her dinners and leaves a trail of dribble when she knows it is on it's way!

Beautiful Maisie's 1st birthday

I had yet another wonderful trip back to Brighton at the beginning of March to celebrate the beautiful Maisies's, Mark and Callie little stunner's, 1st birthday! Luckily for me Alan is happy to stay here whilst I get my fix of the family, including the gorgeous babies, a handful of close friends and just go back to the world I used to live in, just for ten days! The first night I stayed with Mark and Callie as Frankie was working until late, although she managed to visit quickly, share a huge hug, then off she dashed again. The following night Frankie and I were looking after Maisie, as Mark and Callie were going to wedding reception. The girls had great fun in the bath together, and settled down in their cots without too many tears. The following day was beautiful although a little nippy, so we wrapped them up nice and warm and all had fun in the park!

The morning after the girls sleep over

Fun in the park

I think it was the day before Maisie's birthday, that Kaci and Maisie went along to the fabulous Richard Lemon photography studios. Maisie was having the last of a portfolio collection photographed, and was allowed to bring someone with her, so Kaci was in her pretty dress too, all ready for the occasion. Now I know every grandmother worships the ground their babies walk on, but they really were so funny and adorable. Maisie was like a little model, with this little half smile, and even a slight stuck up air about her, as though she was a little professional, and Kaci just laughed the whole way though. I'm sure it made Richards job so easy... Richard Lemmon and I, in fact went to school together. I have n't seen him for blah blah number of years so it was lovely to have a little catch up. The night before, the tables were turned and Kaci and I had a sleep over at Mark and Callie's. Fun in the bath once again, and no tears this time.... lovely! Wednesday 9th March was Maisie's birthday and Mark and Callie were having an open house all day, I think they were all exhausted at the end of it. Maisie looked like a little beautiful princess and was happy to watch as slightly bigger cousin Kaci, helped out, by the assisting, if not taking over, in prezzie opening!

Bath time

Kaci loves to cuddle Maisie

Maisie looking beautiful on her 1st birthday

Maisie also had a little party at a play area in Brighon, the Saturday after, which was just ideal for the litle ones, with lots of play areas plus they had managed to borrow a tiny bouncy castle which was just perfect. Another great day! It is always great to catch up with friends, I wish I could see more, but I try hard to get the balance with being every waking hour with the family, but loving to catch up with good friends too. Luckily everyone seems to understand. Another wonderful trip!

Maisie is good enough to kiss / eat!

Woo hoo blood tests are finally done!

After months of waiting we got the long awaited email from Andres, our vet, to say our local authorities were in fact ready to blood test our alpacas. We had spent months cuddling them, to get them used to being handled, and even holding Alans electric razor to their ear's, as they would have small areas shaved, so they would not be afraid of that... daft or what! However I think it worked. We were as prepared as we could be, although we thought it maybe a few hours for Andres to be with us as he was aso giving the dogs their annual jabs too.... yikes!

Right the plan was the girls first, in order of the easiest, so hopefully Bermuda being third and last of the girls, would not be too nervous. They had their blood test for brucellosis first, which was very simple, Andres managed to get the vein immediately in all bar one of the alpacas, which can be extremely difficult, and then another patch shaven to do a TB test. The thickness of the skin was measured followed by an injection, which then needed the reaction to be remeasured again 72 hours later, in simple terms. (If I have not explained any of this correctly please feel free to comment, so I can correct myself) So the girls were as good as gold, we then had to bring the hurdles up to the boys, for their turn.

All the boys were stars apart from Rafa who has always been nervous when it comes to injections. He will be first to explore a new area of paddock, or first to come and say hello to the dogs, or any visitors, but an injection is a different kettle of fish altogether. After trying a couple of times, and him jumping about like a demented kangaroo, we decided to leave him until last. We made a much smaller pen for him and after a few attempts, and he did get a little stressed bless him, Andres managed to get the blood needed. Two minutes later the boys were outside, and all including the big baby Rafa were chomping on some lovely alfafa, none the worse for their ordeal!

Now for our other 4 legged friends, the dogs! I remember last time we seperated the dogs, in preperaion for their injections The three little ones in the small courtyard, and left Arthur and Blue, the big mastines out in the big courtyard, but it was like the battering of the doors in a Jurrassic Park film, and Andres was muttering "Madre Mia!" So this time we just let the dogs all run in together. Of course they were all very excited. They are to see any visitors and Andres's green vetinary wear did not put them off in the slightest. The needle was so very thin, Blue, Carlos, Geri, even very skinny little Miliko never flinched, as it went into the loose skin betwen their shoulder blades. However as Andres was preparing the injections, (in one of the photos below) Arthur suddenly had a slight panic attack. He went from having a nice cuddle with Alan, to running full charge down towads the apartment we live in, and hid in a corner :( What a big wuss! We tried everything we could to entice him out, and after a while he sloped up, feeling rather nervous towards me. Andres made a leap for it, and managed to get the needle almost in, a split second later, Alan leapt into action and managed to get it in a tiny bit, but Arthur threw himself on the floor, rather resembling a crocodile roll. The needle came out and was bent. There was no way we were going to get that injection into him, at that time. Luckily for us Andres left us with another, which Alan gave him perfectly the following morning, whilst Arthur was eating his breakfast, and guess what, he ever felt a thing. What a big baby haha!


Me and my big lovable wuss, Arthur

Andres getting the injections ready, before Arthur does a runner!

Lovely walks with the big boy!

Before breakfast Arthur the extremely handsome, and also extremely large, Spanish Mastin and I enjoy a leisurely walk together. Just the two of us and my Mp3 player that was a gift from a dear friend. It prepares me for a good breakfast and the day ahead. Arthur is such an angel to walk on his own. Actually we used to walk the five dogs together but it was just such hard work. As crazy as it seems, it is easier to do three walks. It's not so much the walking that was the prolem, it was the high pitched squealing from Miliko that worked all the others up into a frenzie, plus he runs round grabbing their leads in his little mouth that only opens a fraction, due to an accident, before he "found " himself under our fence. I shall endeavor to add a video below that will explain my case!





A few mornings ago, we had not long left the house, and strolling up the track when I felt Arthur slightly cower, and started to growl. I knew it would n't be horses and he ignores them, so I was unsure as to what on earth could have scared him. Haha there in front of us was a large white sign nailed to a tree "Se Vende" a for sale sign and a phone number, bless him! Talk about a big scaredy cat! Once he realised there was no threat, and it was n't alive, he was happy to walk past it. Then just before we usually turn around we heard a little yapping! For half a second, the thoughts that went through my mind were... "Oh no, I'm not going to be able to hold him if he goes!" "If he catches it, will he eat it?" Once again he became at first rather nervous, as four dogs were close, three were very close, but the forth another mastine hid, typical behaviour it seems. Three little dogs including one that looked like a cross between a dachshund and a wirey coated terrier, and the other two were n't much bigger, basically told us it was their territory and we were n't welcome. Arthur looked at the other dogs, and as he cocked his head from side to side, I'm sure he was saying "Can't we be friends?" I guess the answer was a firm no, so we turned around and went home.... bless him!

Me with my big boy Arthur