Congratulations Alpacan....Alpacas of Spain...Torrelavega, Cantabria

A huge congratulations to Alison Boyden of Alpacas Alto Pas and her merry team of helpers who worked their bandanas to shreds this weekend in organising and executing Fibratex 2014. 

Judging by the crowds flocking around the craft stalls in Torrelavega on the Saturday, and given more people normally turn out on a Sunday, I reckon the whole event was a big success. 

Considering it was a first then it certainly sets a big marker for all the Alpaca breeders in Spain. Well done and thanks for inviting us to be part of this. Shirley had a great time judging the first ever Alpaca fleece show in Spain. I loved giving the fibre processing workshop to the alpaca breeders and also the new challenge of judging the amazing Creative and Technical yarns spun at the event. The standard was very high both in the competition and on the numerous trade stands at the event. 

There were some really impressive skills exhibited in the hall - spinning, weaving, felting, lacework, knitting, crochet, dyeing, twisting, cutting and shaping throughout a huge variety of very fine Alpaca Products in both Huacaya and Suri. Every stand was busy with creativity and skill making and doing with yarn, cloth, tops, rovings and all manner of variations on those themes. Congratulations to all who took part in this very impressive Alpaca showcase.

We are now back at TOFT and plan on staying here for a while. We've enjoyed every single minute of our European alpaca adventures over the past couple of months but it's nice to think we shall be on farm for the next couple of months or so at least. 

I'm back to the  glamour of fencing in the new alpaca paddocks morn. No doubt it will be raining but I shall be comforted by the lingering warmth  of all the alpaca breeders and enthusiasts who we have had the pleasure of meeting in the past few months. Have a good winter one and all and let's meet up and talk alpaca again real soon.

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.

Mercado Nacional De Ganado -Torrelavega

I would pay to see this hall full of cattle and old boys from the area doing business. The mezzanine corridor alone could house an army.

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. 

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!

And back on the ranch... Now you see them ... Now you don't

Hardly had time to unpack my shaving kit after getting back from Germany and we are out in the shed most of Wednesday with Linda, Freya and Rebecca the Vet from Towcester Veterinary practice enrolling six mature males into the Billy No Nacks club. This team are heading off shortly to work as Guardian alpacas in Wales where they will, have no need of their tackle as they hopefully give long and faithful,service to their new owners protect the lambs from predators.

So long fellas.

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.