Dylan moves to Llandeilo

Pistyll Gwyn Dylan - superb intact male for stock guard or stud services
Dylan at Llwynmarch 2013
Pistyll Gwyn Dylan with Xander
… with suri friend Xander


Our wondrous stud male, Dylan, who  has been staying at Alpacas of Wales over near Llandysul has now moved to new lodgings – still with Alpacas of Wales, but at Llwynmarch – their new site near Llandeilo.

He is up for sale, sadly.

After five years here we have realised that we just don’t have what it takes to run a successful alpaca business, both in terms of land and resources and in ourselves, for different reasons. We didn’t go into it completely blind, but we obviously had no experience, and if I knew then what I know now … etc etc.
The alpaca business climate has also changed, not just in relationship to the wider economic recession, but also because when we bought in 2008, Bovine TB had yet to make any impact on UK alpacas. Since then it has become big news with alpacas not only being affected, but even being scapegoated in some quarters. We’ve had no problems here, but some other local farms have received serious hassle, despite being TB free.

With regard Dylan, the fact that he has to reside elsewhere has become unacceptable for me – I want my alpacas here. Unfortunately, we just don’t have enough space for him to be kept happily with other males – not when the girls are just over the fence!

So for us it’s back to roots  with the alpacas – some animals for keeping the grass down, and for the wondrous fleece, and for the sheer delight of their company. No more breeding.

Pistyl Gwyn Olive - superb breeding female
The lovely Olive …


Along with Dylan, we’re also selling off the young ones, as always planned, and also Olive our top breeding female. Although she is something of a mascot for Pistyll Gwyn it seems wrong to keep her and not breed from her as she is such a star alpaca.

So if you know anybody who wants some great alpacas at very reasonable prices have a look at the Pistyll Gwyn website. The animals are also listed on Alpacaseller UK as well.

Fantastic Day for Brambling

Brambles along the ride, no longer smothering the trees
Gwen, posing very self-consciously for the camera in front of a pile of brambles


Today was just glorious. Next to no wind, blue skies, and more warmth in the sun that I would expect for February.

So I set about one of the bramble patches with a vengence.

We have a lot of brambles here, scattered about, and each year I take them back, pulling up as many as I can at root. I’m not trying to eradicate them – I love blackberries – but just trying to keep them under control. They are an amazing plant, I mean – what a trick – planting yourself at both ends!

I have had a lot of experience – Olive’s garden in Exeter had some really mean brambles which could put this lot to shame – and I do enjoy it. On the bank where I was working today there are some trees, a hawthorn, a few ashes, a birch, a sycamore, and something else that I can’t identify, and it a real joy to free them from the encroaching growth.

Gwen and Herbert have been out with me, and the alpacas have been chewing on the bramble leaves, all of which adds to the pleasure!
 

Walter and Tyler head out west

Walter - splendid as ever, off to grace a field near Fishguard
The stunningly splendid Walter – off to Pembrokeshire
Tyler - handsome lad heading west
Tyler – our herd lookout, is now looking out over Cardigan Bay …


Well … they’ve gone!

Walter and Tyler have left Pistyll Gwyn and headed off to pastures new with sea views and Gav the Goat.
I have to say it is a bit strange. When we moved here we started out with a herd of six – four geldings and two pregnant girls, and it seemed that we had so much room! How quickly the field filled up and for me at least it became quite stressful. So now, we have a bit more room, and a bit of breathing space until the cria are older.

It is, of course, time to really sort out our whole alpaca strategy. At the end of the day I am a bit uncomfortable selling animals – I worry about the new homes and feel responsible, which isn’t helpful at all.

For now though, I am quite confident that Janet and Brian who have bought Tyler and Walter will give them a great home. I haven’t seen it, but Caerthan says it’s beautiful.

Back here, the field is not quite the same. Both Walter and Tyler were quite dramatic in their own way: Tyler making a fuss and fretting about his food, and Walter throwing himself about like a wild shaman carpet thing, or just standing looking spectacularly splendid.
Silky looks perplexed …

I am the buttercup-grazing alpaca

buttercups

Not really, but seeing as the real alpacas don’t eat them – a good thing as they are poisonous –  we do need some way to keep them in check.

It’s never been as issue before this year, but as everything else around them does get eaten, they are flourishing …

So … at one end of the farming spectrum there are tractors, herbicides, sprays, soil analysis, government grants and mountains of red tape, and at the other end there is me, bimbling about the paddock on a summers morning, reaching into the cool dew to pull up the unwanted flowers, surrounded by alpacas and occasionally throwing a stick for Gwen.

I’m sure my neighbours think I’m mad, and when I look at my bank balance I’m inclined to agree, but as I move from one buttercup to the next …. hmmmm …. that one there …. and this one ….. oops nearly missed this one … I really don’t care whether I am or not!

I am the buttercup-grazing alpaca!