Gunning Show and a Bathroom Visitor

Yesterday was Gunning Show and my very first time at showing alpacas.  I was very nervous taking the first animal into the ring, but got the hang of it quickly enough and I have to say, thoroughly enjoyed myself :)  Definitely hooked!  My new boy Sampson got a first in his class, so a very successful as well as enjoyable outing.  Many thanks to Jim Styles for all his help in getting the animals to show, getting them set up, packed up afterwards and transport home, thanks also to Ruth King for letting me take the lovely Zeena into the ring for a little more practise, and congrats to her boy Denby on his well won first place.  Foolishly I didn't take any pics :(

And now for something completely different, still animals though....

This morning I straightened the hand towel after drying my hands.... and in the folds I found a micro bat.  Now safely removed to the great outdoors!!  Not a great pic, but you get the gist...

Looking to the Sky

We've got clouds, and we've had a rainbow.... but what we need is some rain!!

Of course, after I put the camera away, and got on with chores, the rainbow got better and brighter... but this will have to suffice, chores take precedence!

LLamas, Alpacas and Pigs!!

Yesterday I delivered some ducks to Goulburn, and then had lunch with the lovely Shayne Earley and Sarah Eccles at the Astor Hotel.  Good food and good company, makes delivering ducks a pleasure!!  LOL!!

On the way home I stopped off at Accapacca Lodge and said hello to Bentley.  He was looking lovely and as personable as ever.  Here with alpaca stud Minstrel.

And here, with his pal Ferrari and the alpaca boys.

Closer to home I spied a new sign on a farm gate.... looking up the drive I could see a half grown black sow... and yeah, nah, I don't need to open that gate!

Cruising in Canberra

Yesterday I went for a cruise on Lake Burley Griffin with Freya, Scarlett and Dan.  It was a pleasant ride around the lake and our captain was determined to tell us EVERY fact about the buildings and their history!  Scarlett was as entertained by the other people on the boat as the scenery.... and undoubtedly the best part of the trip for her was sharing a little of her Dad's ice-cream!

Baby tasted pretty good as well... apparently

Afterwards there was time for a play on the foreshore:

When I got home I discovered that Pearl had given birth to a blue black female cria - result :)  Eddy had been able to spray the baby's cord with Betadine, but by the time I got home Pearl was in her more usual hyper-protective mode, and I was not allowed to get too close!  We've named the baby Portia.

Our Glad...

Years later my lovely dark gladioli are still in pots, and not part of the mass planting I've planned... but still... looking gorgeous :) despite unattractive metal fence for background! Looking very bright here in the early morning sunshine.

Sunday with Scarlett at Lake Burley Griffin

Scarlett was very happy and chatty again this weekend. 

And in the mood for dancing!

No thanks Mummy, I don't need any help!

Even better with a new dance partner:

We took a stroll around the park at Lake Burley Griffin

At first Scarlett was not too keen on the idea, but she soon settled back and enjoyed the ride, she was a bit tired after all the dancing!!

Lots to see, the National Library:

They turned the fountain on for us:

Black Mountain Tower, more commonly known as Our Mountain Tower:

Flag above the new Parliament House as seen from below Commonwealth Avenue:

There was lots of bird life, a young Currawong loitering in the garden, stepped into the shadows as we got closer:

Ibis:

Lots of galahs:

Purple Swamp Hen, such huge feet!

Japanese Spitz, Early Morning at Mt Tanga and the Maternity Paddock

Last night I attended a committee meeting at the home of Diane Bulpit, she has 2 very lovely Japanese Spitz dogs, Yuki and Koda.

They were very pleased to be allowed to join us for the meeting.....

This is Yuki

And this is Koda

....but it turned out to be less exciting than they hoped!!

Prior to the meeting we had dinner at the Bowning Pub, which was delicious, and I can thoroughly recommend the pork belly with wilted asian greens, mash and gravy, yum :)

This morning, the moon is still up, and most of the alpacas and llamas are yet to get up for the day.

Not so in the maternity paddock, where Pearl and Narcissus are up and about.  Narcissus has our first Bracken cria on board, hoping for a grey girl - fingers crossed.

Pearl is huge!!  She is not due until March 1st, but last time went 18 days early.  She was mated to Alba, who is black and not a very large alpaca.  At her current rate of growth I am expecting her to give birth to an adult sized alpaca, or twins!! I have never seen a girl this big prior to due date!

Scarlett Rose and Sunglasses

Sunday, so it must be time to visit Freya, Dan and Scarlett Rose.  Freya was busy making 'stuff' to decorate her classroom for today's start with 25 new pre-primary kids - quite daunting, but I'm sure she'll do well.

Meantime Scarlett was in fine form, chatty and cheerful as ever... and always after glasses!!:

The new game is 'ta', a game of give and take and very fast hands!  Scarlett gets everything, and you get to keep nothing.... all good!  LOL!!

Another favourite - 'mummy is going to eat you all up'!!  LOL!!