Tuesday 30 November 2010

What Snow

Hi Everybody,
What Snow, well that is a laugh.We have been saying for days now what is all the fuss about, a bit of snow never hurt anyone, my sister who lives in the north east, has been keeping in touch saying how bad the weather is up there, but living in the South East. we have been so lucky over the last few years, we have lost touch with really bad weather.Well not TODAY it has been hammering down since late last night, roads are terrible. but worst of all when you looked out of the window this morning, it was spot the Alpaca. Poor things you think, but there are hadly any of them in their shelters, just seem to be enjoying the snow like the kids do, plenty of hay in the racks, but digging the snow looking for the grass, I suppose being so hardy is bred into them, which is a good thing really.Even our young collie Bess, who is a year old today, is running around madly as she has never seen snow before. It is lovely looking out of the window, at the snow covered fields,but now it is back to reality,get your coat and boots on boy, and get out and finish all your chores.
Well better sign off for now, and speak to you all soon,
Bye for now,
Chase-End-Joe

Friday 12 November 2010

Jimmys Farm comes to Orsett

Good Morning to you all,
The sun is shining in Orsett today, makes a big change from yesterday. Well what we had was a really nice day yesterday, we had visitors from Jimmys Farm in Suffolk. We have been in contact with Ninette who is there small Farm Manager, for a while now about introducing Alpacas onto their farm, knowing they have all different types of animals, my wife Ann thought it would be a good idea to contact Jimmy,to see if he was interested.Me being me, I thought I would pick the phone up, and speak to the man himself, wrong, I was forgetting of course how busy this guy is, what with not only running his farm, but all the Television work he does as well.That is how we were contacted by Ninette.
What the idea was we have been looking for good homes for some Wethers we have, the problem being we need the grazing, as we all do, especially this year as there was very little hay to be had, after spraying our ten acres that we keep for ourselves, we had less than two hundred bales off it, the worst crop we have ever had, nature can be hard, and it certainly was this year no rain at all when we needed it.
Having contacted Ninette, she had spoken to Jimmy who was very interested in the idea of having some Alpacas for the public to see, which will not only be good for them, but great for our industry, as there are so many people out there who do not know what an Alpaca looks like. I am quite excited to get some feed back, as the months go on to see what peoples reactions are to these wonderful animals.
Bye the way I did want to mention Andy, Jimmys stockman, what a lovely guy and does this man know his stuff about pigs, mind so he should he has been breeding and showing them for forty years, really looking forward to meeting up with both Andy and Ninette again, as they were both very interesting people to talk to, got a couple of good ones in them two Jimmy has.
Well that is my bit of news for today, I hope you all have a great weekend, and speak to you all soon.
Bye for now,
Chase-End-Joe

Thursday 16 September 2010

Good to be back

Well hello everyone,
it is so good to be able to use the Blog again, in all honesty I have been a bit under the weather for the last few weeks,so have not been in the frame of mind to put pen to paper as the saying goes.
Everything here at Chase End is fine, Strawbury Cheesecake eventually had her cria, a lovely little girl, we were so pleased. It really was an experience for us all, what had happened was my wife Ann noticed the head protruding, but when she had a closer look, only one leg was showing. She rang me straight away and I was back at the farm within minutes, with the midwife hot on my heels.We washed straight up and after a close examination, realised we needed to help her. This was a first for us, so after having had a good look we new the other leg was lying the other way. I managed to ease her leg forward very gently, and mum was being so good, only making the slighest of noises, eventually it came forward, and we had a lovely solid white female cria.It took a little while, but the problem we sometimes have is our vet, can take up to an hour to reach us, and we knew she needed help then. We have over the last few years learned so much, but I also think our time breeding cattle helped us get through.
We have had a nice bit of rain here now and the grass is really greening up better late than never. It had been so dry here in Essex, we forgot what rain looked like. Usually on our bit of ground we keep for growing hay, just under ten acres, we would normally reap about eight hundred bales, this year was under two hundred, that is how dry it has been. Well I would like to wish everyone all the best for the show this weekend, unfortunately we cannot be there as we have a very special day coming up this weekend, Anns Mam is NINETY YEARS YOUNG so we are having her family and friends around, for a good old fashioned Tea party.
Well better sign off now as still have a few jobs to do. Cheerio for now Chase-End Joe

Thursday 5 August 2010

The Road to Hell

Hi Folks,
Well I have to agree with the song Chris Rea recorded, and he was certainly right, the M25 is certainly, what he said it was, say no more that is my moan for Today. We actually took Ice Cool Lad, back to his other home today, Easter Wood Alpaca Stud in Berkshire, what a lovely part of the world that is.It was really good to see our old friends, Jeff and Sheila, what a cracking couple they are. I must congratulate them for all the hard work they have put in there, it looks absolutely beautiful, They have just about finished the Log Cabin, and I must say,we were very impressed.
Needless to say, we had a good look at all the new born cria, and they have some very nice ones too. Sheila made some lovely bacon sarnies, which I must admit went down very well.Jeff and I sloped off and had the general man chatter as you do, while the girls, had a natter of their own. I can not really put into words how much, Ann and myself love to meet people, and since we started in the Alpaca business, we have made a lot of friends,and a lot more to make, I am sure of that.
One thing I have realised this week, especially after Anns Tea Party, is there are a lot of people out there, who do not know, what an Alpaca even looks like, so it really is up to us people, to share our farms with the people who do not know, so we have decided, to have an open day in the very near future, so we can help others to get to know these wonderful animals.Strict Bio Security always to be put in place first, that is essential, but I think this needs to be done for the Alpaca industry, which would help us all.
Well got to jog now as dinner is ready, and the bacon sarnies have worn off now, speak to you all soon,
Chase End Joe.
PS Anns fund for Marie Curie is over 900 pounds now, after receiving more donations.

Monday 2 August 2010

A very Trying Week

Well Good Day to you all,
last week was a very trying week, Strawberry Cheesecake is still hanging on, my gooodness what a size she is, still something must happen soon.We are keeping a close eye on her for now.As the midwife keeps telling me she will come, when she is ready Da.I suppose she is right once again.
Then out of the blue,the Poo Picker blew up, engine completely seized. I phoned my son in law Jamie, and he and his boy Ashley, came straight over, and had it stripped down within the hour. I phoned Paul the Paddock man and he is sorting the spare parts we need, to get us back on the road, we cannot go back to hand picking, it takes forever.
We then had a lovely finish to the week. My wife Ann was having her old fashioned Tea party, to raise funds for the Marie Curie nurses, who we all know do a fantastic job.Saturday we erected the small marquees, which were to seat sixty people, there were just over seventy, when we did our final count. I must say what a brilliant day it turned out to be. Everyone was seated in there own groups, and served tea and sandwiches, followed by scones, fresh cream and jam, and of course a full arrangement of cakes, all homemade. Ann had worked so hard all week, baking and making sure she had enough china, so everyone had a lovely place setting, it was absolutely lovely pet I congratulate you, and all your helpers, you did extremely well, and I love you for it.Just to add Ann raised just under nine hundred pounds on the day.Well done love.
I think it is time for me to start work now, as the sun is shining, and there is plenty of work to do today, Toe trimming to start with, speak to you all soon.
Chase End Joe.

Monday 26 July 2010

Signs of Pain

Hi everybody,
I have not been on the Blog for a few days, as I had a tooth extracted on Friday, and have been in a bit of pain,, joking a side, it did give me a nasty couple of days, but as the midwife reckons,, you do not know what pain is Da, that is what she calls me.
Everything on the Farm is fine, except Strawberry Cheesecake is still hanging on, so unpredictical these girls. We have all been mucking in this week, as my wife Ann is holding a Tea party on Sunday, to raise some cash for the, Marie Curie Cancer Care, those nurses need all the help, they can get, so we hope it all goes well.
Well the time has come for Ice Cool Lad to return to Easter Wood Alpacas, in Berkshire, We will be taking him back to Jeff and Sheila, later this week. He has finished his matings here, but will probably come back a little later in the year, to have another go, as the saying goes, the girls do love him, and he does give us some lovely cria.
Well only a short one tonight, as must take the pup, up the field as I can here her barking, she is turning into a real lovely dog, so intelligent and obedient, and still only six months old.Will sign off now and speak to all soon,Bye for now.
Chase-End-Joe.

Thursday 22 July 2010

Good morning to you all,
another red hot day here in Essex, please let us have a bit of rain. Well I have been really busy, these last few days.First I must admit, I did manage to escape for a couple of days, went down to a little village in Oxfordshire, Hook Norton, to see a couple of good friends of mine, who have a nice Hotel there. It was great to see them both, and catch up, so long since I seen them. Had a nice relaxing time and set off for home at 8-45 yesterday, expecting about a two hour drive, no chance, there had been a nasty accident, on the M25, they actually closed it completely, it took me seven hours to get back, had to follow the diversions for hours, so I was a bit stressed on getting back to base.Never mind, I only hope, the people, who were in the accident, are okay.
When I got home I had a pleasant surprise, we were having a visit from our Website girl, she is my cousins daughter. Joanne is a lovely girl, and I would like to thank her, for making such a good job, of everything she has done for us, ie Website, Letterheads and cards, so professional in everything she does.
They had also come over, to help us get into our local show. it is quite a large Agricultural event, that takes place every year, and they have never had Alpacas there before, so it should be very interesting.We are just waiting for the organisers, to get back to us. I will keep you updated on what happens. Well folks I had better, get out there, and get started, as Ann has informed me, that Jess, our Border Collie pup can get through a small gap in our garden fence, animals will always find a way out, if there is one, you can be sure of that, so cheerio for now,
Chase- End- Joe

Sunday 18 July 2010

Getting even Hotter and still cria to be born

Hi everyone, what a scorcher.
It feels like it has been over 100 degrees today. I actually had a lay in this morning, 6-30 when I came to, which is very unusual for me, I am normally about by 5-30, must of been the two glasses of wine I had last night,. To be honest I am not the best sleeper in the world, but when I know there is another Alpaca ready to birth, I cannot settle.
Cheesecake is one of my favourite girls, mind you, she has a strong mind of her own,always ready to have a spit at you, but only when,she is ready to give birth, sometimes I have a little moan, but I am soon brought back down to Earth, by my Ann, and the midwife,, who always says, have you ever given birth Da, thats her name for me,then I know it is time for me to be quiet.
I think we all get so attached to all our girls and boys, naturally, we spend so much time with them, doing everything we can to keep them as healthy as we can. Cheesecake is a stunning Alpaca, Full Australian,her Sire is H.R Alpine Fibres Brutus, and her Dam is EP Cambridge Secregaze. and she is due anytime, The Sire being Ice- Cool - Lad, we have some lovely cria on the farm, by him and our other Sires, so feel free to visit anytime, look forward to seeing you.
Cheerio for now,
Chase-End-Joe.

Saturday 17 July 2010

Good evening to you all,
well today has been a very busy day for me,we started the day well, Poo picking first job of the day, 12 acres takes some time, thank God we had help, and then there was the manicuring, lets be honest some times they are great, but today everyone of them wanted to cush down, making it a lot longer job and a bit tiring. but we eventually got there. I think we all know the answer, to that, let us get set up just like the Shearers do, thats definitely my next job.
On a lighter note, my Sister Jackie, who has has been twenty years married last week, asked us to watch the kids,while they jogged off to a nice country retreat, for a bit of R/R.
Mind you they are two cracking kids, we have really enjoyed having them, they love the Farm, the Alpacas, Jess our young pup, and of course the kittens, which they are having one each.
In all honesty, with all the doom and gloom going on at this present time, it is nice to hear the young kids of today laughing and joking, and enjoying themselves,it actually takes a bit of the stress and strain away from us. Let us all hope things pick up for us all in the very near future, and with that, I will say goodnight to you all,
All the best,
Chase-End-Joe

Thursday 15 July 2010

Another cria and also a liitle rain

Good Morning everyone,
well as I finished my blog yesterday, after being summoned to the birthing paddock by the guvnor, she was right as usual, we were having another cria born. The midwife was quickly called, Sharon likes to be at every birth if possible, within minutes she had arrived, and out came her medical bag. This time it was Chase-End- Midsummer Dream, another maiden.Her name will be Chase- End- Happy Days.
I think maybe I should explain why the names are a bit unusual. Exactly a month to the day 14th, which was yesterday, we lost our niece. Kim was such a lovely lively girl, everyone who met her loved her, life and soul of the party. Well our Kim had some very unusual sayings and expressions. Two of those were, Lully Gal, and Happy Days, hence the names we have chosen for our new cria.
Now for some rain we hope, had a little bit yesterday, and we are forecast for more today, we keep doing the Rain Dance, but it just is not working. Seriosly though, we are desperate in the Essex area. Our paddocks are bare we are feeding Hay already, so please let us have our share, we very much need it.
Well I hope you all have a very good day, and look forward to speaking to you all soon,
Cheerio for now, or better still Happy Days,
Chase- End- Joe

Wednesday 14 July 2010

Six new arrivals

Hi everyone,
well kidding a little bit really, five new kittens born and a lovely female cria, out of Betsys Beauty, yesterday. Her Sire is Janes Primo Barliegh, his Sire was Wellground Farliegh. It is his first cria, so we will just wait and see, but she is very tall and very white. Of course I must mention, the midwife my daughter Sharon, she had to help with the delivery as it was Betsys first cria, and took rather a long time. All went well in the end, so everyone was pleased, especially Beauty. Got to sign off as Ann has just informed me we may have another birthing today, very soon in fact.
Cheerio for now,
Chase End Joe.

Sunday 13 June 2010

Hi to everyone on this lovely Sunday morning,
I have had the chance today to catch up reading the blogs I like to follow, and I am pleased to see so many healthy cria being born, good luck with all your birthing. We have been very lucky here at Chase End really only had a few difficult births but we always phone the vet and he has talked us through it. Not so many birthings this year as we have changed our mating programme completely. so next years cria will be due around May / June , when the Mums have plenty of grass to eat and hopefully plenty of sunshine. I am going to continue with my small haybarn today, back on the mini digger, what would I do without it. It was certainly one of the best buys we have made machinery wise. Just had Harry the local farmer around to check on the hay situation, nearly ready for cutting, so I better get out and get started, haybarn here I come.
Bye for now folks.
Joe

Sunday 6 June 2010

Back to Blogging

Hello to all of you on this lovely Sunday morning,
I have eventually found a little time, to start my blog again. I find it very interesting reading all of the blogs and you do find out what is happening around the country. Myself personally, there just have not been enough hours in each day. I suppose we all go through our hard times, but this last year has been a very hard work load for me. My good wife Ann took a tumble while going to feed the Alpacas, and broke her Fima badly, this happening put her under a lot of stress as she still cannot get out into the paddocks to do her normal jobs as she puts it. As we all know there is always something to do on the farm but as I keep telling her just keep jotting the jobs down Ann they will eventually all get done.
I do not know what it has been like in other areas, but here in Essex we have been pushed to the limit with our hay prices, four pound fifty a bale and they are still rising. Talking to our local supplier he reckons it is going to get worse, as he has been buying in from Wales, and they are now short of it. I realise that some of you have enough grazing, but for those of you who do not have that luxury, it may be time to start thinking about your winter feed. We have had our surplus Ten acres sprayed and fertilised and are in the middle of building a small hay barn to store enough for the whole winter. I just thought I would mention it because if we have adry summer hay could be short on the ground.
Well folks must be off will speak to you all later, bye for now.
All the best Joe