Judging fleece at the Three Counties Show...

Just returned from Malvern where I have been judging the alpaca fleeces at the Three Counties Show. Off to Ireland in two hours with the companion animal to judge halter show at the Dundalk Show tomorrow for the Irish Alpaca Association.

Had a lot of laughs the past two days at the the Three Counties, Julia Corrigan Stuart of CS Alpacas was my apprentice for the show and did a very fine job indeed.  A huge  TOFT thanks to Pauline and Trisha for their dedication in laying out, putting away, scribing and secretarial work. We were a little short handed at times but we got there in the end. 

Ashwood alpacas will be delighted with the results as they took both Supreme and Reserve in the Huacaya. Top score was 95 points with a handle that took your breath away as it swam in your hands- congratulations.

Thanks to Roger Mount of Snowshill, Jay Holland of Pure and Val Fullerlove of Hanley Hall ( show committee) for inviting me. We saw some quality Huacaya and Suris in all colours and had a fab day yesterday talking and educating the schools. Good luck everyone with the halter today I hope the weather holds.

Now TOFT on tour in Spain

What a week! We flew out to Santander at the crack of sparrowfart this morning to take part in Fibratex   2014 over the weekend where Shirley is judging fleece and I am giving some classes on fibre etc

For a man who told his French teacher when he was ten that ' there is no point in doing this Miss- we go to Scarborough for our holidays!' I am loving every minute of our international adventures in Europe. Yeah, so we are not on holiday but who needs holidays. Give me a reason to be there and I will be there. In my day job for years I used to get to see the cities, work in the dark and get sent home as soon as the job was done. 

Now I am in the countryside on alpaca adventures making friends that last a lifetime  with an interest that is just as all encompassing and enthralling. Thank you Jesus ...and a massive belated apology to my old French teacher, now deceased,  who I put through so much pain. She was right and I was wrong but I still wish we'd learnt Spanish instead!

Toft Alpacas judging in Germany for ALPACA Association e.v.....

The Toft Alpaca judges were on tour this weekend in deepest Germany. Planes to Frankfurt, trains to Erfurt and taxis to a small country hotel in Germany this weekend with 100 alpaca fleeces to judge. This was the first ALPACA Association e.v. Fleece show which was a prelude to their association annual general meeting.

Naturally the show was well attended and thankfully the majority of breeders spoke some English which is just as well because Shirley and I have only a danke and auf wiedersehen between the both of us. The interpreters were fantastic and saved the day. 

Good fleeces all round, very fine with a notable lack of guard hair and fantastic 'keeper' rosettes. Supreme champ achieved 86 points and was a very well organised and consistent white intermediate fleece with a distinct lack guard hair and a good cutting weight. 

Great weekend, great people and Danke one and all for your generous hospitality from the Toft Alpaca Judges - auf wiedersehen ....xxx