Well it has been a long wet and cold winter, but let us hope we are near to the end of it.I was about very early this morning, it was still dark around four this morning, as it happens I am always about early, there was low lying fog on the fields and it was very frosty,I sat with a cup of tea looking out of the window watching mother nature take her course. As the time moved on the fog began to lift, and at six thirty I was letting the chickens out, by seven the sun was appearing over the rooftops and it gave me a bit of a spring in my step.I was feeding the Alpacas their Camelibra and filling all hay racks up, when it suddenly dawned on me what such a beautiful day this was going to be.As I was walking back up to the house, with my collie Jess by my side,I had this lovely feeling, Sunshine does make you feel happy.
Speak to you all soon,
Chase- End-Joe.
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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,
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.
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