Many people have asked why we want to breed Alpacas, and too be honest there is no real reason apart from the fact that we have fallen in love with the animals and their tranquil and inquisitive nature. About three years ago we visited a zoo in Prague and there was a particularly goofy Alpaca there which we both loved because he was so friendly.

At some point after we had come home, I guess I must have 'googled' Alpacas and discovered a whole industry in Britain based around these wonderful animals and their fleece. I guess this information must have lodged itself somewhere in the back of my mind because, in June 2007, after Lorna had been unwell and struggling with work, I suggested we moved to Spain to breed Alpacas. Well a few days later Lorna said, 'tell me again about the idea' and now, here we are.

After many hours of internet research, we decided to go to a 'Discover Alpacas' day at Classical Mile End Alpacas, run by Chas and Rachel, and although the weather was dreadful and rained all day we had an excellent time and the idea just got better and better. We spent the next day with Tim Hey at Inca Alpaca and Mark and Sue of Patou Alpacas. Through telling these people what we had in mind they put us in touch with Nigel and Ginny Cobb, in Andalucia, who had moved to Spain with their herd of Alpacas.

We paid Nigel and Ginny a visit at their finca, near Ronda, in August 2007, and discussed what we were planning to do, the best way to go about it, cost, all sorts really, and we went away really positive about the whole experience. Nigel and Ginny had managed to put together a package for us of 4 breeding females, two white, one brown and one black. One of the white ones, Bermuda, has a reputation for being tough to handle but I believe as I am young I should be ok to cope!!

Anyway these are our gorgeous alpacas..

CLASSICAL CASSANDRA

Cassandra is a very pretty alpaca, she was mated to the light fawn champion stud Tulaco Centurian in England.  We were rather hoping for a fawn cria, but her gorgeous little boy was snow white!  Cassandra lived with us when we had Black Dancer, who sadly passed away.  She is a little on the shy side but loves her food and will eat out of your hand.  She was very curious of the dogs but happy to have them in the paddock with her. 

SUNSHINE RAFAEL CAPONE "RAFA"

Just a few hours old                                            More recent

    

Rafa was born in July 2008, Cassandra was "on holiday"in Ronda at the time.  I got the exciting phone call and legged it, sorry drove carefully to see him.  I was lucky enough to have a cuddle when he was just a few hours old.  Typical that Alan was in England for a few days but we headed straight to Ronda from the airport again, when he returned. 

SUNSHINE GALAXY IVOR

A few hours old                                          More recent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Galaxy was the first cria born on out farm, we were very nervous, but luckily it was a text book delivery.  Galaxy now is looking like a stunning teddy bear, with a gorgeous chocolate brown fleece.  He is extremely inquisitive and is desperative to play with Santa the new cria!

BERMUDA OF WESSEX

Bermuda is a very large proud looking alpaca.  She had a tough time last year.  She gave birth to a stunning little boy Basil who sadly died at aproximately 3 months old.  I shall explain more about this at the bottom of the page.  She has a reputation for being a little hard to handle after landing Nigel Cobb on his bottom!  Bermuda just wants to do want she wants to do, and when she wants to do it!

Alan and I are so delighted that Bermuda gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on Christmas Eve, hence the name Sunshine Santa!

SUNSHINE SANTA

A few hours old                              More recent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALHAM VALLEY LILY

 

Lily is a new girl for us, kindly given as a gift from Sue and Arish Turle and Nigel and Ginny Cobb after our tragedies of 2008, once again I will explain more below.  We are very much looking forward to getting to know her.

DELILAH

 BOTSWANA "BUNNY"

 

Delilah and Botswana are our new girls, although we have decided to keep them in Engand for the time being.  Delilah is the image of Black Dancer, beautiful, and Bunny ... well just look at those ears!

Sad news to report

Last year we had the pleasure of having Cassandra and Black Dancer living with us.  Bermuda, plus another female Lima stayed at Ronda as they were being mated prior to coming to us. There are more details of this very difficult time for us on my blog www.lornaslifeinspain.blogspot.com To fill you in briefly...

Black Dancer was mated to Cambridge Centurian, a champion black stud from England, she became ill one evening and was choking, our fantastic vet stayed with us for hours.  A few days later she self aborted her cria,  a truly stunning pure black boy. Sadly Black Dancer died exactly one week after this. We will miss her, she was a lovely animal.

 

Bermuda's cria Basil sadly passed away with the same disease that Black Dancer had, and also tore through Nigel and Ginny's herd.  The year of 2008 was a very difficult year for the alpaca owners in Andulucia, with many tragedies.  We decided having lost Black Dancer and her cria, and having to deal with organising autopsies etc we needed a break.  Nigel and Ginny kindly looked after our animals until were ready to have them return here, we are so grateful for their love and care, and share in their grief also.