A bit of sunshine this week has put the Alpacas in a holiday mood. They have loved all the comings and goings this week as we have had earth movers and all sorts of machinery in to put our pond to rights and also to make a new ramp for the tractor and steps for us as the slope into the paddock was treacherous in the snow. They are so nosey and poor Polo was quite frustrated as he was unable to see what was going off. Lady, Ricardo and Pinky are just giddy youngsters and have been careering around the field just for the fun of it.

The female alpacas led by Cha Cha had the builders in stitches as they all queued up to roll down the new ramp. Even Chi Chi waited for a turn which was very cute to watch. Of course Clive and I have seen it happen many times and it just served as a reminder of just how much fun they are!

We were also thrilled to see some Kestrel nesting activity towards the wood and would be delighted if they returned to their old nesting site in the owl box.

Sadly all the activity around the pond last week seems to have scared off the wild ducks..............

Well it's that time of year again when the alpacas have to part with their lovely fleeces which have kept them all warm and snug throughout this awful winter. Last year we couldn't get them sheared until mid-July, although booked for May, as the weather was too wet and cold.

Here in Ashover we still have the "Brrrrrr" factor with an icy wind today and someone has told me that snow is forecast for the week-end. Were they joking? My emerging tulips look as though they want to curl up and die. Just have a show of daffodils and narcissus out and thank goodness for the primroses which do look lovely.

Still eating "comfort food"...... Shepherds Pie for tea.......

Jon has just sent me a photo of his first "Bird of Paradise" flower, grown in his garden in Australia. Clive and I bought the plant in a container when we first visited 3 years ago. What a contrast in climates, although our grandaughter Jessie longs to see the snow bless her! She was a toddler when they emigrated to Australia but at least Thomas has had a go at sledging down our hill before he left.

No sign of the Brown Hare lately or the kestrels. Only the dratted Buzzards circling around and fighting with the local crows. We do have two wild ducks still on the pond however which is surprising as they try to breed there every year but the foxes have usually had them for supper by now. Fingers crossed!

We have decided to sell a few of our first females as we now have some lovely second generation females to use but Clive and I are so attached to them that we can't bring ourselves to make the leap and advertise them......................