This is the podcast for alpaca people!

In the last episode, I promised breakfast with the girls. So here it is, as it happened. Enjoy the noisy birds and the mostly well-behaved alpacas. Some nice signs of Spring, but we are definitely not there yet, even though I have seen my first frogspawn!

Many of you know Rita through the podcast. She is a good alpaca friend and has been a guest many times. Sadly, her farm was caught up in an Australian wildfire. As a result, they lost 11 male llamas and a stud alpaca, and the farm’s fences and vegetation were destroyed. They are rebuilding slowly, but you can imagine what a devastating blow this has been for her and her partner, Anthony. We send our best wishes and hope for the future. Many people have pitched in to help, and I include details below of a GoFundMe page. There is also a PayPal link if you prefer that route. Don’t feel you have to, but I know some will want to.

https://gofund.me/dd1b2a72b

https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/126562730487465447

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

This is the podcast for alpaca people!

Growth of and with our alpacas has different aspects. From growing numbers through adding to the herd or multiplying by breeding. Increasing our knowledge. Growing skills and abilities through experience. But the greatest area of growth that underpins all of the others is growing in confidence.

Our biggest teachers are the alpacas themselves.

Enjoy the journey and let me know what works best for you.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

This is the podcast for alpaca people!

The new year begins, but is hardly noticed by the alpacas. Just another day.

Wet weather turned cold, then snow and ice. The alpacas loved the hay and found a little grazing by following the sun around the valley. It has all gone again, so we can relax for a bit.

Starting a new year is a good time to notice the jobs that need doing and anything that seems 'off' with any of the alpacas. The winter weather stress sometimes reveals things we don't otherwise notice.

Less time for sitting outside with the alpacas at the moment here in the UK, because of the wintry weather. A good time for catching up on record keeping, and if you are breeding alpacas, a time to consider potential matings - a bit like gardeners and their seed catalogues.

Here is the link to the video from the last episode, where I show you around the valley to give some perspective on the stories I regularly share.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

This is the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, join me as I walk around the valley. Enjoy breakfast with the girls, then head out and about up the valley.

There is also a video of the walk, which you can watch here.

Thanks for being with me through this episode and even through the year. Have a good break over the Christmas period, and I will catch you again in the new year.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

This is the podcast for alpaca people!

Welcome to all of you, wherever you are listening, but especially my listeners from Brazil. Thank you. I appreciate it.

Alpacas are curious and usually offer us a welcome as we approach. Depending on what we do next, the welcome remains, or our attention becomes unwelcome. Even too much staring at them and paying too much attention can cause them to retreat or at least change their body language. It is good to observe them and get to know each one individually.

At this time in the UK it is good to check body condition scores - see the video below for details

https://youtu.be/xZSlhQaqGEk?si=TOJhjuEEqexcGDm3

You might also want to check feet and eyes too.

If you can, spend some time with your alpacas, someone else's alpacas, or come spend time with my alpacas and me. You are welcome.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

This is the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, Steve recounts a chaotic food delivery for the alpacas, reflecting on resilience and how to handle frustration in animal care. He introduces us to Hermione, Alys, and Nona, sharing anecdotes that highlight their personalities and daily routines. The episode culminates in the timely arrival of the food, serving as a metaphor for navigating life's unpredictability. Join Steve for quick lessons on patience, connection, and the joys of caring for animals!

(NB summary prepared by AI via Auphonic - I'm not sure what to make of it. Let me know your thoughts)

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

This is the podcast for alpaca people!

The rain has been abundant. I guess that is what made the valley a good site for a Victorian reservoir.

Now it is home to our herd of alpacas, ducks and visiting swans. And us of course. Where better to share our lives with all of the amazing animals and wildlife and the rain. Join me.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

This is the podcast for alpaca people!

The tide of vegetation is receding as fall continues to arrive. The alpacas are enjoying the season and so am I. Join me for a walk and talk in the valley.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

This is the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, the welcome early fall sunshine makes it easy to spend time out in the valley with the alpacas.

Velvet mites, foxes and badgers, bats, plus some friends from Australia. The valley has been having visitors.

Listen in and join me on the farm.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

This is the podcast for alpaca people!

Join me for a typical day with the alpacas and the associated chores. It is a delight on a sunny autumn morning with so many Robins singing their hearts out.

As well as a revisit by the Swan and some of our Canada Geese, there was a Kingfisher, which sat still long enough to grab a blurry snap. A delight. See the website for the photo.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.