We got up very early yesterday morning and set off for the Heart of England Alpaca Show at Purston Manor. It is a long way but somehow we managed to be early. The show ring was in a big marquee and The Alpaca Stud’s animals were wringing wet and disinclined to walk. Chas and I donned our white coats and did some handling which was great as we were not allowed to do it by the show rules at the SWAG Spring Show. Jaquinto’s progeny were second in the Sire’s Progeny class which we thought was good going as they looked very bedraggled. Their fleeces are very fine and so pick up all the moisture. One of his little white girls won the Junior White Female class which was great, it was a big class of about 20. We thought the judge Tim Hey did an excellent job. He was decisive and quick – ideal attributes for a judge as it can be like watching paint dry.
The catering van did a very good bacon bap without yucky fat or gristle and there was a proper coffee stand as well – what a relief. No horrible sterilised milk or grey cups of coffee.
The poor old stewards had a difficult time as the running order was changed twice and did not follow the catalogue which caused a lot of confusion for them and the exhibitors alike. But we all survived.
We went up in a car and came back with a whacking great trailer behind us as The Alpaca Stud’s animals came back here for a few days. The ones who are going to the Royal Bath & West will stay here as their farm is in the Protection Zone and once they go home they can’t come out again.