Alpaca fleeces have been judged - let the Alpacan Textile Show begin...

Shirley finished the last of the fleeces yesterday evening and the organisers have this morning to distribute the Alpacan rosettes to the prizewinners and get the fleeces on display by late morning when in 'civilised time' Fibratex 2014 will begin. 

I'm sure this will be the start of great things for Alpacan and the Cantabrian Alpaca breeders. It certainly won't be for the lack of trying Alison Boyden has done the work of ten Duracell bunnies to get this Showcase on the road and there are some fascinating exhibits in the hall. Good luck to you all and thanks for letting us be part of this.

TOFT in Torrelavega...

This is the hall where we are working in Torrelavega. It's got to be the biggest Cattle market/auction house I've ever been in. Shirley is upstairs in the boardroom judging the fleeces which have come in from all over Europe as well as Spain.

Yes that is Mr Gary Naish star of the BAS husbandry DVD who is over here helping out, behind him you can see the alpaca expo setting up in the end of this enormous facility. Shows on Sat and Sunday. 

Goodbye Patricia you'll be missed

Sadly we say goodbye to our Spanish intern Patricia who's been with us for the past two months working up her animal husbandry and textile skills. It's been great having Patricia here she's been a real farm treasure lending a hand in everything textiles and Alpacas. We shall miss her cheery disposition and wish her well in her future career. Thank you Patricia and good luck from everyone here at Toft.

Here she is working with the alpacas accompanied by Lauren who joined us on work experience.