Jemma

Next...... we're waiting on Jemma to pop, but as you can see this morning she was very keen to tuck into brekky with gusto.  Its day 356 and 335 to 350 is pretty normal, so we're not out there yet, but none-the-less I'm keen to have a 'normal' delivery SOOOOOON and I told her so!!

As you can see Sweet Pea was also keen for brekky and Noisette is looking good, growing and thriving :)

The 'other' news we're keenly awaiting is that Machu Picchu - Lorraine and Barry's lovely llama girl - has given birth too.  Baby will be coming to Mt Tanga once weaned - very exciting, if a bit long term and long distance!!

Its a GIRL!!

Sweet Pea went into labor this morning, and first I saw the nose, then the whole head popped out - checked my book - not good, should have head resting on front feet to start.

Phoned my friend Ruth King of Lavender Park, and she talked us through finding the front legs - bent at the elbow - not good.  Phoned the vet and they talked us through what to do next, most of the way through this conversation I realised it was beyond our skill set to tackle and asked them to come out, which they did - but we're a long way from Crookwell so it was quite a wait.  The vet got a bit lost, so I was in full panic mode by the time he pulled up.  Muscle relaxants and some realignment administered, and then a big push from Sweet Pea and out she came.

We've called our little nut brown baby Noisette - she hasnt arrived in ideal conditions as its threatening to rain, but she is a good size cria and seems very strong despite her protracted birth.  Yay!!!! At last!!!

Sweet Pea Update

Its a balloon Penelope.
Its a baby John
*POP*
Its a BALLOON Penelope!!

With each passing day our cria gets more or less likely!!  If she really is pregnant, then we are venturing into rarely charted waters, day 387 since definite spit off on Oct 2, and so each day the likelihood of Sweet Pea giving birth must be increasing.... at the same time, I have to admit that its starting to look increasingly possible that even WITH cria kicks being visible, this may be a phantom pregnancy!!  Boo hoo!!  I'm not sure how she's managing the cria kicks, but it must be a possibility that this is a very elaborate hoax, and I will be very disappointed if that's the way it turns out - after Azzura's pregnancy (mysteriously) resulting in no cria earlier in the year, I'm not even slightly well placed to be looking at a second non-event.  Being a llama farmer is turning out to be the school of hard knocks!!

Think positive thoughts people!! TIA :)

Sweet Pea's news

Sweet Pea's news is that there is no news!!  Another day, another no show - stay tuned, this cannot go one forever!!

Llamas and the Garden

Fortunately the two are separate!!  After brekky the girls are no big hurry to leave the yards, they seem to enjoy a sleep in the sun most mornings :)

Azzura is such a cool cucumber that most mornings she chooses to stay cushed while I give her a neck rub and back rub!

Black Narcissus loves to roll in the dust!!

Black Pearl is always on the scrounge, she is improving her body score with gusto!

 Usually they rest with their legs underneath them, but this morning Orchid was having a full stretch lie in the sun before I disturbed her, you can see by her sleepy expression that she was pretty much out cold moments earlier.

Even the slightly nervous Trinket takes time out in the mornings for a rest.

The other day when JayJay came in for brekky I noticed that she'd torn her ear, dont know how this happened, but seems to have healed OK.

Sweet Pea this morning, also taking a time out, doesnt look like she's having a baby today either!!

And now the garden, I planted 7 peonies, 6 were 'gamblers choice' pinks and reds and one named variety that I really liked.  Of course all 6 of the cheapies have started to grow, but as yet no sign of the expensive one!!!  I had also got my head around the 'they wont flower in the first year' thing, but plainly this plant has read the book!!   Cant help being pleased about that :)

The wisterias are starting to flower, a bit later than others I've seen around, and they seem to growing leaves at the same time, rather than after the flowers.  No matter, very pretty, and so sensible to have them on their own frame.  Standard blue/purple on the left and pretty, if less vigourous, pinkish one on the right.

Today's Pep Talk

Each morning I tell Sweet Pea to get on with the job and pop!!! But not today, today's pep talk was quite different, it was 3 degrees cold wind blowing and raining hard this morning, as it seems to have been most of the night, so I did the bit from Shakespeare where Ceasar is being implored not to go to the Senate, 'Juli Juli dont go!'  I said Sweet Pea, Sugar Pie, Sugar Lips dont go popping today!!  By Tuesday it's forecast to be 26 and mild overnight - much better thought.  Fingers crossed she got the message ;-D

Ducklings, Sweet Pea and Red Brow Finches

Sweet Pea still hasnt popped!!  She is so big its amazing, but she continues to eat, sleep and look pretty pleased with herself, letting day after day go by without any sign of cria being closer to arriving!!

Morning nap time in the shade:

Yesterday the ducklings had their first day outside, they enjoyed the sunshine and spent most of the time in the water!!  They dont grow as fast as when they are in the brooder all the time eating and eating and eating, but they certainly have a nice time and sleep like little rocks when its time to come in.

Red Brow Finches - they're everywhere!!  The air is heavy with their noise and the ground covered with them.

Very good day today at lead and halter training - everybody is improving!!  Even Bracken walked forward, if only a little.   Phoebe is also improving, Maggie starred as usual and Joeley was marginally less stubborn than she has been!!  All good :)

Cheer Up Flowers

Its 16 days later and still no Sweet Pea cria - today Freya bought flowers to brighten the place up and I'm trying very hard to be 'cheered'!!   For her part SP is as happy as a clam and doesnt seem in the least perturbed by the passing of the calendar - as soon as we have a baby, I'll let you know - meantime enjoy these vibrant flowers!!

Still Nothing Doing!

Sweet Pea still hasnt popped!!  She was first in the queue for brekky as per usual, and wasted no time getting on the ouside of her bowl of camelid museli!!  Today - with her best 'what are you staring at?' pose:

Sweet Pea has taken a very strong dislike to Cleo, who cannot put a foot right as far as SP is concerned, and for every foot wrong there is a spit waiting for her!!

With no baby llama to photograph I've turned the camera to the garden.  The flowering quince is getting more and more coral pink as the flowers age - not a bad thing in my book!

The irises are starting, not huge blooms but gorgeous colour, another nice surprise in this inherited garden.

As is this double jonquil.

The garden is full of red brow finches - see!!  OK not the best pic, but trust me there are dozens and dozens of them!!

And the swallows are back!