All done and dusted and the girl done great...

95 alpaca fleeces and 180 alpacas later all the cups and rosettes are on their way to someone's farm and the judge is now all done and dusted. 

Shirley did a great job. For a first 'full on' halter show in a foreign country where she was working with four different translators through her oral reasons she loved it, as I always knew she would. She seemed to enjoy every second of ring time and worked with great commitment, accuracy and dedication. Thanks to all who invited us to take part and to all the exhibitors and organisers . 

And a very special thanks to Uta, big Pete, Daniel  and Annakris who organised the fleece show. 

And a massive congratulations to Jorge and Annett of Alpakahof am Czorneboh for organising such a splendid event and to the incredible lady on the microphone throughout whose name now completely evades me- you were terrific, now no speaking for a week! xxx a few action shots of the judge to finish - enjoy.

Ideal retirement package...

What else could an old boy need? His beloved vintage restoration project all geared up with a wee grass cutting blade so he can fill the hours and earn a crust. His bed on wheels behind just big enough to house his dog or his wife whichever suits and no more clutter in his new found freedom.

 For all those driven souls who hanker after the supposed simple life this is as simple as it gets.

Imagine if it caught on? Our roads would slow down to a pace where we could smell the new cut grass, the countryside would be immaculately manicured.  Our old people would be active and useful as they trundled up and down our roads until they found their final resting place.  Downside? Our children and the  driven souls would be creating so much noise peeping their horns in despair that the idyll would be drowned in a cacophony of cursing and unnecessary noise.

These four old boys who were having a wonderful time at the Alpaka Show this weekend ferrying children and families on their beloved tractors up and down the show ground are probably stone deaf and immune to anything that would spoil their pleasure. God Bless them all!

What an Alpaka Showcase....Alpaka Show Ost

Jorg and his merry men did a fantastic job on the equestrian ring overnight to totally transform it into an alpaca wonderland with a handmade wooden ring centre stage. They have created a magnificent stage on which to celebrate the German alpaca industry. Congratulations!

Will you look at the wall of bling to be given out over the two days. Here we are in the expectant hall waiting for the first class to start. More later on Alpaka Show Ost.

J we are in the transformed hall just about to start 

There really is no getting away from the fibre business...

The hotel we are staying in in Burgstadt whilst Shirley judges the Alpaka Show Ost is a converted textile spinning  mill. The fibre business chases you everywhere...The machines are no longer running but the place is packed tonight  with German Alpaca breeders, celebrating their annual show, all of whom wish they knew just a smidgeon of what has been forgotten here.

The garden gnomes in Burgstadt are as big as me...

How about this bad boy? I. Met this dude hanging around in someone's garden in Burgstadt with a load of others of similar scale. (We are over here for the weekend while Shirley judges fleece and halter at the Alpaka Show Ost for Association e.v ) You don't find many of these mothers  in Dunchurch. 

You don't find many in the UK at all probably because your jocular Friday night youth would take him walkabout. I know I'd be tempted!  Imagine waking up on Sunday morning with this bad boy on your doorstep.