Macon AFLA

Sat 1st October and Sun 2nd October 2016. Great two days. Thanks for inviting me.

Rob doing his blog in the Irish sunshine

Taking a day out in Southern Ireland. The sun is shining and this is the weather we have always had when we come visiting Ireland. Great day out in Omeath and Carlingford. Couldn't persuade Rob to hire a bike! Shame. 

Castor feeding well.

For all those people on the shearing tour this morning at TOFT.  Our new male cria born at nearly 11 am was feeding well within the five hour time scale. Here's a photo for you for those that were showing concern. The weather didn't make it an easy start for him but the waterproof coat helped to keep him warm and keep some of the rain off. 

Hope Fleece Show Results Day

Had a great night's sleep at the George Hotel, Hathersage and then found ourselves in a queue of traffic waiting to go into the Hope Valley Show . Fabulous to see all the fleeces displayed and delighted for Donna Stalker of Honeyfield Alpacas , Wiltshire for winning Best of Show. Thanks again to Lesley, Liz, Jan and Rachel for all their help. They did more hours work than I did as they did the preparing, weighing and displaying afterwards. Great job. Thanks for asking me. 

Hope Fleece Show

Left Dunchurch really early to get to Derbyshire to judge Hope Fleece Show. Over 70 entries. Really looking forward to the challenge of my first fleece show. 

Broken my duck.

What a relief to have finished my first alpaca show since I certified. I'm pleased to say that I enjoyed it. Doesn't stop you going over your decisions all night ! Looking forward to the next. Hope fleece Show and then the Scottish National Fleece Show. Congratulations to Burren Alpacas. 

Dundalk Agricultural Show

We were in Dublin before we knew it! 45 mins drive and here we are at the Ballymascanlon House Hotel. The show organisers have done us proud. Beautiful hotel in a beautiful setting. It is so quiet here. Can't blame any noise for my lack of sleep tonight. Have just reread the AAI show rules. Not that different to the BAS show rules.  Changed ready to have dinner with my companion animal. This is the life. Lets hope all my alpaca judging gigs are of this standard. So far so good. Just got to get them all in the correct order tomorrow .