An eventfull two weeks

Hi everyone,
we have been so busy over the last two weeks this is the first chance I have had, to say hello to you all. Well after a great day out at the Futurity it was back to the grind stone for me. We still have a lot of fencing to finish so my grandson Ashley and I got to work. We try to spend a few hours each day on this task as you all know, there are all the everyday jobs that must be done. The week went pretty quickly for us both and I knew Ashley was getting excited, as I had promised to take him to see Bob and Lesley down at Wellground in Wiltshire. He has heard so much about it but never been there. We left my wife Ann at home farm sitting and set off about lunchtime on the Saturday. I wanted to call at Molevalley Famers in Frome before we went to the Hotel, as there is a lot of things much cheaper than back here in Essex. We had a good look around and purchased a few items before heading for the Hotel, which is in Westbury five minutes from Bratton where Wellground is. Bob and Lesley were meeting us for dinner in the evening, we had arranged this to celebrate their Birthdays which they had earlier in the week. A very nice meal too, we all had a good chat Alpacas of course and alsc bike racing. Ashley is well into his scrambler which Bob knows a lot about, as he has been involved with bikes for years. Needless to say Ashley was asking him all about his racing days.
We were up early the next morning had breakfast and were at Wellground by 9-15. What a great morning we had too, Bob had Ashley on his quad showing him how he harrows, uses his poo picker and also his roller my grandson enjoyed every minute<> I owe you one for that. I particular liked having a rummage through some of there Alpacas, they really have some first class girls and boys. Time seemed to fly naturally it always does when you are enjoying yourself. It was time for lunch we went to the Lamb a small pub they use a couple of villages away. I had been there before with them very nice traditional Sunday lunch proper home cooking. We eventually left them at around two pm and headed back to Essex, thank you both for a smashing couple of days. When we arrived home later that evening I was telling my wife Ann that as soon as I could afford it, I was going to invest in a poo picker as the time it saves is unbelievable, she then really took the wind out of my sales and told me she had ordered me one, for my Birthday which is this week. The machine arrived last Friday so now there will be no stopping me but I am sure the man hours it saves me, Ann will find me plenty of jobs to do .
These last few days have been spent generally working on the farm, next week is a very busy time for me as I have all the Alpacas to inject and they all need their toe nails clipped. Also not forgetting I will be out nice and early with my new toy , weather permitting of course. They have forecast some nasty weather all over the country for us all, so good luck to every one, until we speak next time bye for now and all the best,
Joe Hempsey.

An interesting week and an even better weekend

Hi every body,
well another week has just flown past for us. It started off as usual with all the normal Alpaca jobs to do, as everyone knows who owns Alpacas, paddocks must be kept clean, hay racks always full plenty of clean water, the usual everyday jobs. Mind you I have to admit it has been taking quite a while cleaning the paddocks, we still have been doing it the old way with rakes and shovels. On Tuesday I said to my wife Ann, as soon as I can I am going to buy myself a poo picker <> which she replied, Joe I have bought you one for your Birthday, was I pleased I can tell you. We were spending at least two hours a day on this job alone. Big kisses and cuddles for a very special girl.
The middle of the week was fencing again enjoyable, but very hard work still the end is in sight. I reckon we have another two hundred posts and then attach the wire, and that will be us done. That will be about twelve acres we have fenced altogether varios sized paddocks with chase ways in between, looks really nice if I do say so myself. Towards the end of the week we were clearing the entrance to the farm the brambles having grown so high, definitaley a job for the mini digger, ready to put some nice plants in now my wifes department that is.
When it got to Saturday my grandson Ashley was getting excited, I had promised to take him with me down to Wellgound Alpaca Stud in Wiltshire. We were going to see Bob and Lesley to have a rummage as the saying goes, and also to take them out for a bit of dinner seeing they both celebrated their Birthdays last week. I must say they have some really lovely Alpacas on their farm. Always willing to have a chat and share their passion with others. Cheers to both of you we had a really great time. We spent all Sunday morning at their farm and then they took us for lunch at the Lamb, which is a lovely pub a couple of miles down the road, which does excellent food. Well we set off back home to Essex which only takes us about two and a half hours, We had a really nice time Ashley had thoroughly enjoyed his time at Wellground, Bob had him on the quad harrowing using the roller and also showing us how easy it was using the poo picker. I cannot wait until mine arrives.
Well it is back to normal today the start of another week, but according to the forecast a very cold start still it is okay, you can wrap up against the cold a lot better than rain I always say. I will have to sign off now as it is back to work for me, until the next time, cheerio for now.
Joe Hempsey.

Futurity and a very hard week.

Good morning everyone,
just thought I would, let you all know what a really great, but very hard week we have had. It all started last weekend, preparing and going to the Futurity. These are long but great days out. We had loaded the three cria, and were on the road by five am. It was a straight forward journey, and we arrived at six forty five. We were surprised to see so many people already there, but quickly realised they were there the night before. Great idea we will definately do that the next time. The show was very interesting, and we seen and chatted to some old and new faces. The day seemed long but also passed rather quickly. Ann my wife and my daughter Sharon were showing two girls, and a boy. We actually gained a Third place, with one of our girls, Chase-End-Ice Dancer, which I must confess we were over the moon with. She has Betsy of Atlantic as her Dam, and Cambridge Ice Cccl Lad as her Sire, who is now here at Chase-End- Farm with us. We were fortunate to negotiate a half share in him, with Rob and Lesley Rawlins, from Wellground Alpacas in Wiltshire. Thanks a bunch guys, especially Lesley as I know he is your Favourite boy and you really did not, want to let him go. Ann gives him hugs and kisses all the time. In fact I think he has settled in really well in his new home, and is eyeing the girls up all the time. If anyone is interested, to use Ice Cool Lad for their girls please feel free to contact us anytime. During the day at the show, we were very pleased to meet Tim Hey from Inca Alpacas who I had spoken to many times , last year arranging for Atlantic Cambridge Centurion to visit us to mate two of our females, which his brother Ben did. It was also lovely to meet up with Matt and Cathy Lloyd, we actually met Matt and Cathy when they came to visit us here in Essex, last year. It was nice of them to take time out to visit us. It was just nice meeting old and new friends. I only hope Bluetongue does not stop us getting all together at different shows this year.
Well Sunday came and it was back to work for most of us. Fencing is my main job at this present time. We are actually coming to see light at the end of the tunnel. It has been a long hard road, we have one done about twelve acres of post and wire fencing over the last two years, but we are nearly at the end of it, thank goodness. I suppose I have been very lucky, Ashley my grandson has been helping me in his spare time. Big strong boy, swings a 14 pounder like a toffee hammer posts just fall in, especially now the ground is soft. Wait till he reads this, he will say your joking Grandad .I have to laugh really, because he will say to me wait till we go indoors Nan will have thought of something else for us to do, but we love it really. How many people, actually live the life we do with our Alpacas. Only one word for it in my book ( FANTASTIC).

I actually think it is time for me to sign off now, as the sun is shining and we need to take some photographs of some of our girls we have for sale, we have to get on our Website, so bye for now speak to you all soon. Have a lovely day.
Joe Hempsey.

Our first blog from Chase End Alpacas

Welcome to our first ever blog from Chase End Alpacas. We hope to keep you up to date with all the news from the farm.