Today started mega badly. I got in the car and it had died in the night - it would not start. I went into panic mode as I knew I would have to drive Carl's truck and, I know this sounds wimpy, I have never driven it on the road before - it is just too big and 'manly' for me. I girded my loins and did a bit of reversing in the drive to check I knew where reverse was, gripped the wheel and kangarooed down the drive praying I would not meet anything on our wiggly narrow roads. I crept along at 20mph and even hit 30mph going through Woolland - but I almost reached my nemesis going up the cut. I was half way up round the bend when careering towards me was The Gamekeeper followed by a small van and a transit - three vehicles at once is almost unheard of. Automatic driving took over and I pulled up the bank ( I think I even lifted my hand from the wheel to wave in a sort of action man grip type of way with a rictus grin on my face), everyone passed, I came off the bank and drove off finally making it to the field gate - and never have I been so pleased to pull into the field! Once I was there I decided to stay there until Carl came to rescue me but, having no food, I then had to walk to Okeford which is a VERY long way. I then had to walk back which is uphill a lot of the time. Luckily, The Builder passed me as I was on the long stretch back up the hill and he gave me a lift.
Teddy, one of the sheep, had by then got her head stuck through the stock fencing (due to her horns she can get through but then not back again) and, as I could not find the bolt cutters, I had to spend ages sawing away with a hand saw blade I found in the barn.
I expected Carl to appear at 6pm with my car all charged up and raring to go but he didn't as I forgot I had the car keys with me. Finally, Sam appeared with Carl and I have a car diagnosis, "Damp!" How can that be?! I have been damp for weeks but I still go! It had better start in the morning or there will be serious ramifications!
On the alpaca front, Dilly did a poo today - which I retrieved. He must have done them before (after the mega long one) but this is the first I have seen and it is mighty odd. I have never known a 3 and a bit weeks old cria pooing like this. I cut it in half as the outside looks like a chocolate eclair - in fact the inside does as well. It appears to have a membrane round a hard chocolate bean - quite a big one considering the size of Dilly. I have a photo for your delectation as I wonder if anyone else has a cria who poos like this - should I be worried?
And, as that was an unpleasant photo, here is Dilly with Dippy who he is trying to make friends with!
Luckily they make cars damp proof in Cumbria otherwise we too would be taking a lot of very long walks! Very amusing account even if he experience was less so:)
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