Frustrating

I was sent out for supplies yesterday morning, supposed to be there for when the builders merchant opened.  Well I got there about 9.30am and there was a long queue of builders waiting to be served, I think early Monday morning is not the best day to go, it was not helped by the computers not talking to the printers so nobody could have receipts or collection notes to pick there materials up from the yard.  I needed some nails and T&G boards for the ceiling of the hut.  After about 30 mins I got to the counter to order with the nails to order the boards, I had the sizes I needed so I thought I was prepared.  Oh no I had to go out into the yard and get a code number of the boards, then the guy was able to find them on his computer.  so having queued again I got back to a till.  Then they couldn't get through to the transport dept to arrange delivery, I gave up then and said we would collect then today.  So after a hour and 15mins I left the store with a box of nails!

Next of to the electrical supplies with another list.  Well that was a total waste of time, usually they are very helpful and will advise what we need but this time all the young lad would say is ", you need to tell me what you want I am not allow to advise you" I already brought all the wire, sockets, fuse board, all I needed help with was a site plug and socket to connect the Shepherds hut to the electric so it can be unplug if we need to move it, it can't be that complicated.  Obviously we get a qualified electrician to do all the connections etc but we need to get the wiring in place before the insulation and internal cladding goes on.  So not

a successful day so far.

In the mean time Steve had started the external cladding with OSB board this is going under a waterproof membrane and coloured metal sheeting.  The hut is really starting to take shape now and I can now see how much space I will have inside.  I have so many things I need to get in there especially the boxes of stock for shows and fairs.  So we are trying to think of how we can store these in the hut so that they don't take up much space but are hidden away and be easily accessible.  At the moment I am thinking a tall cupboard where the boxes will slide in on runners so will move in and out easily, then on the door I can put some grid walling which we use to display our socks and knitwear.
Then I need a workspace and storage for the sewing and felting machines, so every space has to be used to it's full potential.

I think a trip to ikea will be needed as they are really good at storage solutions and we have to pass Cribs Causeway to get there which is a whole another shopping opportunity.

Today didn't start well either

Today was supposed to be the day when we cracked on with putting the frame together for the hut.  Well I woke up  feeling like s--t with a migraine which when I get a bad one usually means I am sick and can even get out of bed.  So I took one of my migraine tablets and went back to bed whilst Steve did all the feeding up.

By lunch time I felt well enough to get up and at least look willing, even managed a piece of toast. I ventured up to the barn and between us we managed to get the floor onto the chassis.  Steve bolted this down and then we were onto the frame, these were much lighter so Steve could lift them up whilst I steadied them until they were clamped together ready for the fixings.
It all looks different now, actually can see what it is supposed to be.

Tomorrow it is the roof, this is in two sections so shouldn't be too heavy, problem is I am only 5'2" and can not reach the top of the walls never mind lift the roof on.  So I now I have some steps! so I can stand on them inside the frame while Steve lifts the roof sections on, I am hoping we get some volunteers to help tomorrow.

Steve decided he may need some new tools to help with the build so I now have this in the lounge.  It hasn't done any work as yet and I do hope it isn't going to stay here to long.  apparently there is more arriving!  I need to check he isn't including them in the cost of the build as I do have a budget and if so he has just blown it.

Well today didn't quite go to plan!

Following a bit of a late start this morning I left Steve to feed up and then he was itching to start sorting the base out for the Shepherds hut.  I had to go to Tavistock for shopping etc and then I was coming back to start sanding window frames.  Just got to Tavistock and the phone rings!  apparently I had take both sets of keys for the van which had all the tools in---- I can say I was not the most popular person in the world at that point.  So back from Tavistock with no shopping or anything else for that matter.
Anyway the base of the trailer now has bearers bolted to the frame to support the floor and it has been wax oiled to help stop it going rusty. It doesn't look much different but it is all the stuff you don't see that takes the time.  Steve has to do the day job tomorrow so we will be back onto it on Saturday.

I spent a bit of time this afternoon just looking at the alpacas which are in the field next to our holiday cottages, some may call it daydreaming or time wasting but I think it is something we should all do periodically.  I look at the individual alpaca, consider its breeding and then wondering if we made the right decisions with our choice of Stud males last year I even get onto this years breeding decisions.

Whilst looking at Zanti (who is fast becoming my favourite Alpaca)  it was evident that some males really do stamp their mark on some females. Zanti is a Jack of Spades baby out of a dark brown female, she is light fawn! she has his head, is a well grown female who will be bred this year.  Next to her was Yolandi who is out of a black Jack of Spades female (Hebe) sired by Inca Cayenne who is Dark Brown/black, she is also light fawn. Seeing them together they are like peas in a pod, they both have that strong head shape, loads of curly fleece around the face but they are a generation apart.  This year we are waiting for a Popham Equador Cria from Hebe, we really would like a black from her this time.  The decision is who do we put over Zanti?

So excited

Ooh Ooh Ooh I got so excited this morning - it doesn't take much I really should get out more!
The Shepherds Hut frame was due to be delivered mid morning soI got up to the fields early to feed up and move the last bits of Rubbish (sorry very useful bits of stuff).  I had just got to the barn when the phone pinged and there was a text from the building supplier who was delivering the rest of the materials for the build, OSb board, Ply, joists etc saying he would be there in a few minutes, luckily he had only just sent the message.  He arrived a few minutes later and I now have a large pile of wood and insulation,  it looks far too much to go on our trailer base!

About a hour later the Hut arrives and is off loaded, I can't believe how excited I am about a big pile of wood and metal!

Tomorrow if the weather plays ball the trailer is going to be wax oiled to keep it in good shape and I am hopefully going to start sanding down some windows which we are recycling from the Holiday cottages.  The windows were removed to make way for the extensions last year, we had four and had already used one in a shed now two more are going into the Hut.  The idea is to use as much recycled materials as possible. All the shelving is already in my work room at home and the small kitchen  is going to be made from some old kitchen units, remodelled and painted.  I have a piece of work top which will be used here too.

With all this work to do I did get a pressie today, Steve brought me a electric sander, which will be very handy tomorrow.

New Year planning meeting

New Bathroom

Finally the bathroom in one of the holiday cottages has been completed just in time for our annual inspection by Visit Britain.  Usually I have got all the decorating and deep cleaning done in time for the dreaded visit but what with the bad weather, getting married, going on holiday etc etc I haven't even started it. I only hope that the dreaded inspector can see that it is a work in progress and give us our 4* rating.  I have spent the last few days painting some reclaimed furniture for one of the bedrooms, they look really good now, pine with white doors now and I have lined the interior of the wardrobes and drawers with wallpaper to match the wall covering and compliment the bedding.  I really need to update the photos on the cottage website now. See this is what happens you do one job and it instantly creates at least one more.

Bedroom in Robin Cottage

On Sunday we had a new year meeting with Mike & Liz from Lakeham alpacas to discuss what we are doing this year with regards to shows, breeding etc.  As we hadn't seen them for a while we combined this with roast lunch and a good bottle of wine (at least they had wine I am refraining for a while)  We have a freezer full of pork so a good leg of pork was roasted and served with sprouts, parsnips and swede from the garden, not bad in terms of food miles and it tasted good as well!
After lunch and down to business.......... are we showing this year......... yes  what breedings are we doing, are we using outside Studs ? (I have my eye on one in particular)  What shows are we having a stand at ?  Lots of decisions to be made and then onto fleece and yarn, as I had just got my yarn back we had a good rummage with that and looked at the fleeces we had left.  The discussions then lead onto where we go from here................ who knows lots of things in the pipe line so I think this should be an exciting year.


We have decided to run a spinning course locally as we have been asked so many times what we do with our fleece.  I have learnt to spin recently and I really enjoy it so we have booked our local hall and engaged Jean Field to be our Tutor for the day.  Details of the course are now on our News and Events  page on our website.


On a totally different  subject Alpacas and Dogs ............. Steve was down the field this after noon when the females came charging through the gate between the fields............. not sure what was going on he spotted a large black collie dog running up the field with Bramble and Carla in hot pursuit, the dog got to the top corner of the field but couldn't get over the fence ............ frantically looking around he spotted Steve in the other corner, decided he couldn't go that way is only option was to run back down the field............ again closely followed by Bramble and Carla this time he managed to get over the bottom fence ............. just wonder what would have happened if it couldn't have got out !  Good to know the girls were on the ball and when Mr Fox comes around they will deal with him in the same way.  

Some days............

You know some days you really think that something is working against you! I have had two enquiries for Llama walks both on days when we aren't available to do them, one is Devon county show time and the other on a day we have arranged to do some breedings. then I get home and listen to the answer machine and there was two enquires for holiday cottages and guess what!......we're fully booked for the dates they wanted.............which is good but frustrating.

Then I look at the weather forecast for tomorrow and it gives some rain, which we really need but we have a Llama walk booked in..............it's been dry for at least 18 days why couldn't it wait just one more! We had a spectacular walk planned but it needs to be a really good day, clear and not windy as it it very exposed, not much chance to shelter from the rain. So we need a plan B...............and possibly C.

I was watching the late pregnant Alpacas this afternoon and Marietta who is due in early June is already huge, she is a very compact girl anyway but now she is almost as wide as she is tall.

Last years cria arrived right on 11.5 months.....thats a good seven weeks away. all of the girls are spending a lot of time sitting down chewing the cud...........but then what else is there to do in this lovely weather..............Not a bad life!