And the winners were.... Alpaka Show in the Allgau...

Champion and reserve at Buchloe.  Both young with fleece and form to die for. If I could have took them home I would- congratulations. If the young  male who won, with the blue ribbon, carries his fleece forward as he grows he will be a very famous male in Europe. Let's keep,our fingers crossed.

Alpaka judging in the Allgau...

The schwabenhalle  in Buchloe was an ideal setting for the Alpaka Show last weekend. Apparently these halls are made specifically for the showing and sale of cattle. There is plenty of room for the animals alongside the hall and tons of tiered seats from which the public and breeders can enjoy the spectacle. The show was organised for breeders only on the Saturday and open to the public on the Sunday when 2000 people popped in to enjoy the alpacas. 

Great turn out and I had the privilege of judging some remarkable alpacas. Exhibitors had come all the way from Holland, Italy, Austria and France to compete their alpacas. A massive thanks to Hienz and Simon for inviting me to judge and for creating this alpaca showcase. A fantastic amount of work goes into getting it right and they worked their Alpaca socks off to make sure everyone had a good time.

There was a great atmosphere in the hall and the exhibitors as always took defeat in their stride with good humour and there were tears of joy for the winners. 'Twas ever thus - please feel free to blame the judge.

A big thanks also to Hieke who took Shirley and I out on the Thursday evening for my first ever Croation meal- yumliscious. 

A big thanks to Pia and Jan who worked as my interpreter - not an enviable task with my accent.

Thanks to Ritchie for his sound work and scribework  and thanks to his girlfriend who played show secretary throughout. 

Thanks to  Theresa for scribing the fleeces until late on Friday evening.

And  big thanks for the patience and good humour of the exhibitors and for all the volunteers and organisers who put in their time and talent to make this show a success.

And not forgetting the young Klinks - Reuben and Tom who did a great job ferrying fleeces to me all Friday evening. Thank you one and all for an unforgettable experience in your wonderful country and I hope to see you all in the UK pretty soon.

Alpaka Show Buchloe in the Allgau

Had a great four days in Southern Germany last week judging alpacas and fleece in a town called Buchloe.  A big thanks all round from Shirley and to the organisers Simon, Hienz and George for their wonderful hospitality. 

We arrived on Thursday and were taken out for the day by George  to visit the Bavarian Alps. The country is amazing. The views were to die for. We popped up a ski lift and spent an hour waiting for the wind to turn so that the Paragliders could terrify us mere mortals jumping off the cliffs. I was wobbly on the lift the very thought of jumping into the void hanging onto bits of nylon sitting in your rucksack is the stuff of nightmares. 

A big thanks to George of Alpaka Amada who was our driver and our host for the day. Thank you Simon and Hienz for an unforgettable day out. George got us back to the Show ground for 5pm where the jollies stopped and fleece judging commenced in earnest.

TOFT on tour in Buchloe...

Started the fleeces this evening still got 40 to get through in the morning before the halter starts in the afternoon. I shall have to work like the Duracell bunny to get through 180 alpacas and the fleeces and get the medals dished ouT by early doors Sunday. Alpaca breeders enter this show from France, Italy,Switzerland  and all points North and South. They drive for hours to get here and I'd like to get them on their way as early as possible on Sunday. One things certain they won't be hanging around to talk to the judge after the show.

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!

And the Best in Show was...?

A light fawn Suri...owned by Alpacas of Density. The Suris made a spectacular short run as usual at the end of the two days competition with a late but colourful dash up the  inside lane and snatched the overall Show Champion away from a young fawn Huacaya. Hey, that's show business! Congratulations to all who took part in 6 Alpaka Show Ost.

Loneliness of the long distance Ring Steward...

Andi Reidi from Switzerland performed the role of Ring Steward this weekend at the Alpaka Show Ost in Burgstadt and performed the role with real flair. 

Here he is in contemplative mood ready to kick off the first halter class of day two, knowing there are 120 alpacas to get through before 6 pm with a raffle, lunch break and a fashion show in the way. All was done and dusted bang on time which was a credit to all involved in making this a great alpaca showcase. Thanks Andi, safe trip home and see you soon.

Call country character and select Falconer direct for one of these...

And you will get something so right like this Dude, straight out of  the Falconer casting agency to authenticate your country event. No stone unturned to entertain the crowds at the Alpaka Show Ost in Burgstadt this weekend. Every Alpaca Show should have one.