Suri Sunshine on a rainy day...

On the first rainy day in what seems like weeks - a little ray of sunshine from a glorious summer.

A day to sample the best coffe and cake in downtown Warwickshire at the Cornflower Cafe!

Dog in the Ivy....? I'd have a drink there myself !

Alpacas Feted in Dunchurch

If you can actually be feted then our alpacas were definitely that at the local village fete yesterday. England was out in all it's glory in Dunchurch and the whole village and half of Rugby must have rocked through the local sports field. The Rugby Mayor was even trotting around in his finery glad handing all and sundry.

Our new assistant herdswoman, Freya Shuttleworth, was on 'touch and stroke' duty in the alpaca pen entertaining  the crowd with lots of alpaca chat. This was a first for Freya and she did a great job. Once she realised the folks weren't going to eat her she really enjoyed it!

And me? Well I had a lovely day catching up with old friends and acquaintances. It also provided us with a great opportunity to promote the new Cornflower pop up cafe at Toft which we all did in spades. 'Coffee and cake to die for Governor! Here have an ice cream voucher...' We gave it large for the Cornflower cafe. My wonderful mother in law Myra was, as always, a stalwart at making sure no one left without a leaflet. At 82 she's worth three half her age, bless!

The Dunchurch village fete is a real traditional English affair and a credit to the organisers. On a wonderful summers day like yesterday it was a  joy to take part in. There can't be a child within a ten mile radius of Toft who by now does not know what an alpaca is. I look forward to seeing them all again throughout July when they turn up for their ice cream.

Wait your turn young ladies...

Early in the morning the sound of orgling males reverberates from the hard standings around Toft as the mating schedules get under way. Stud Males on head collars are walked around to the appropriate eager females waiting for business to be concluded.These young elite prizewinning females are showing a great interest but they will have to wait.

At Toft we never mate the females until they are fully mature at two years old. 

However these elite female stars of the Toft Alpaca Showteam are fully mature well up for it. They sit like dinner plates on the first note from the male. Haven't the heart to tell them that's as good as it gets for the next 12 months!

Looking forward to Lunch at the Cornflower Cafe..

Even the table decorations look good enough to eat ! Open Thursday through Saturday 9am-4pm . Getting busier by the day and rapidly becoming Warwickshire's hidden secret! Cake coffee and sarnies to die for!

Perfick...

Toft is simply gorgeous at the moment. The Toft orchard is awash with pastel glories. If only the rain would give it a rest we could enjoy it. 'Twas ever thus! 

At least those souls who get along to the Cornflower Cafe in the Toft Studio for lunch can  nip out between showers, check out the alpaca babies, then nip back for Cappucino and cake. Luvverly jubbly!

Toft Alpaca Husbandry Introductory Workshop- Perfick!

A great crowd, stunning weather, lunch and afternoon tea at the Toft Alpaca Studio in the Cornflower Cafe. It doesn't get much better than it did yesterday. 

Here's Dan and his son Ben doing a bit of father and son alpaca bonding whilst being shown how to halter alpacas by Shirley.

We are off tomorrow to North Somerset where Shirley is judging alpacas at the North Somerset Show. I'm playing companion animal - as one must. 

I am really looking forward at being at an alpaca show where I am not a steward, announcer, commentator or  judge. Time for some r&r on Bank Holiday Monday and a walk down the sheep lines and tool stalls whilst Whoopy Daisy puts the alpacas through their paces. Sad huh? But this is the closest we ever get to a holiday. Have a great Bank Holiday.

Now that is fan dabby dozy!

Shirley and I tested the salted caramel chocolate cake at the Cornflower Cafe at Toft Alpaaca Studio with our lunch yesterday. As you can see we hated it! It hardly touched the plate as it tasted as good as it looked. Nice one Georgie and Jen- way to go! 

Fab lunch @ Cornflower Cafe.....at Toft!

Hey Hey Hey,

Best lunch ever!!! Proper Barrista Cappuccino, salami and salad bagel, goats cheese salad and chutney ciabatta, asparagus pea soup with smoky bacon bits and it was all yum luscious. Don't be cheeky that was for both of us. Shirley and I had late lunch at the new Cornflower Pop up Cafe in the Toft Alpaca Studio.

Open Thursday through Saturday for Coffee Tea, light lunch and proper English afternoon tea. 

Watching baby alpacas with your coffee and cake? Is there a better way to enjoy the summer?

Perfick!

Well done Jenny and Georgie I hope you are run off your feet in the glory days ahead! xxx