Happy 2011 to you all

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How different is GIFT to other breeding systems?

How different is GIFT to other breeding systems?

GIFT is a breeding tool which is designed to deliver a superior breeding program to breeders with specific breeding goals in place. The breeders can use these tools to make important, breeding and financial decisions.

GIFT is designed to deliver measurable results for specific objectives in alpaca breeding programs.

Comparing GIFT to other breeding systems over a 10 yr period in the Merino Industry (AUST), it has been proven to make genetic gains faster than other systems who rely on longer term for breeders who aim to be producers of superior quality animals and fleeces.

GIFT offers breeders these important tools and reports by which they design and manage their own breeding program. Other Breeding's systems rely on

Skin follicle tests. This is only part of the story, it is like looking at the car, but like under the bonnet of the car, the engine which drives the car, the skin is only part of the story. The fibre above the skin, tells more of the genetic gain which can be passed onto the next generation.

There are many other factors including the Skin follicle tests.

But now with this technology, we do not have to rely on skin test, we can get the same information and more through the GIFT test. Used as an objective measurement and visual markers of important fibre characteristics.

GIFT is designed to meet individual needs and wants, and is particularly aimed at improving colored alpacas to produce elite fibre in the future - in essence, to produce elite animals producing elite fibre- ultimately increasing profits for the astute alpaca breeder.

GIFT tests although completed in Australia, is available for anyone in the world. Currently, GIFT is the only place we can obtain these reports, and testing. Educational seminars can be arranged, anywhere in the world.

Please email me to organize any

seminars or for any information

is a departure from traditional breeding philosophies and practices and stands alone as an exciting option for progressive breeders.

Using accurate tools, histograms, and taking out the environmental factor, leaving you with the genetic potential, the animal has to improve fleeces.

Identifying these animals, male and female, is the key to making good breeding divisions,for animal or fleece, with in mind the value adding exercise to maximize your $ not only in the sales of your alpacas, but also with the fleece, commanding high demand, with high returns.

Ultrafine and superfine fleeces in the sheep industry command the highest prices

as illustrated on http://giftcom.homestead.com/slide27.html

this is also achievable in alpaca.

Gift in uninvasive for the alpaca tested, no joining fees, or club, but a huge database of fleece records. Reasonable prices, proven already in the sheep industry, and already showing improvement in the alpaca industry.

Reports to help you through and understand the results, and guide you into the right business decisions.

Create meaningful record systems

Fibre testing and interpretation

Education workshops and seminars

GIFT-Genetic improvement Fleece Technology

What is GIFT?

GIFT is a breeding tool which is designed to deliver a superior Fleece to breeders with specific breeding goals in place. The breeders can use these tools to make important, breeding and financial decisions.

GIFT is designed to deliver measurable results for specific objectives in alpaca breeding programs.

Comparing GIFT to other breeding systems over a 10 yr period in the Merino Industry (AUST), it has been proven to make genetic gains faster than other systems who rely on longer term for breeders who aim to be producers of superior quality animals and fleeces.

GIFT offers breeders these important tools and reports by which they design and manage their own breeding program. Other Breeding's systems rely on

Skin follicle tests. This is only part of the story, it is like looking at the car, but like under the bonnet of the car, the engines which drives the car, the skin is only part of the story. The fibre above the skin, tells more of the genetic gain which can be passed onto the next generation.

There are many other factors including the Skin follicle tests.

But now with this technology, we do not have to rely on skin test, we can get the same information and more through the GIFT test. Used as an objective measurement and visual markers of important fibre characteristics.

GIFT is designed to meet individual needs and wants, and is particularly aimed at improving colored alpacas to produce elite fibre in the future - in essence, to produce elite animals producing elite fibre- ultimately increasing profits for the astute alpaca breeder.

GIFT tests although completed in Australia, is available for anyone in the world. Currently, GIFT is the only place we can obtain these reports, and testing. Educational seminars can be arranged, anywhere in the world.

Please email me to organize any

seminars or for any information

is a departure from traditional breeding philosophies and practices and stands alone as an exciting option for progressive breeders.

Using accurate tools, histograms, and taking out the environmental factor, leaving you with the genetic potential, the animal has to improve fleeces.

Identifying these animals, male and female, is the key to making good breeding decisions,for animal or fleece, with in mind the value adding exercise to maximize your $ not only in the sales of your alpacas, but also with the fleece, commanding high demand, with high returns.

Ultrafine and superfine fleeces in the sheep industry command the highest prices

as illustrated on http://giftcom.homestead.com/slide27.html

this is also achievable in alpaca.

Gift in uninvasive for the alpaca tested, no joining fees, or club, but a huge database of fleece records. Reasonable prices, proven already in the sheep industry, and already showing improvement in the alpaca industry.

Reports to help you through and understand the results, and guide you into the right business decisions.

Create meaningful record systems

Fibre testing and interpretation

Education workshops and seminars

Illaro’s Fibre

Just shorn ….. VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

and we are very impressed with Illaro’s fibre, cannot wait to see the GIFT (Genetic Improvement Fleece technology) report on this guy, i would imagine he is approx. 14 micron, would not be much higher in micron.

This is his second fleece.

Merry Christmas & New Year

13122010077.mp4

Weather is still unpredictable, with really almost tropical thunder /hail storms at a moments notice.
Really odd weather, yet it is quite warm especially when the sun is out.
we have to take advantage of as much dry weather as we can, and yet we are only shearing a dozen or so at a time, as if the weather breaks up, we need to be able to shed all the shorn alpacas. at least for the first few weeks.
Rain and wind is a bad combination on shon alpacas, wind cill factor!
We use a table designed by my husband to shear the alpacas.
We find the alpacas are a lot calmer when they are up on a table.
My husband believes in making life easier for us and the alpacas.
As the alpacas can be difficulkt to get up onto a table, so we have the table top on hinges, and we put a harness around the alpaca, and the alpaca just leans on the table top, and then as we pull the table top down to the horizontal position, the alpaca is quite calm, whilst we stap him/ her down so that we can contain the alpaca, so they will not get accidently cut by the shears.
Alpacas are very leg and head shy, and have very quick refexes, so we do not want the alpaca to startle, and jump, whilst we have the cutting implement close to tendons, legs, etc.
We also try to keep the atmosphere calming for the alpacas whilst being shorn.
We always have them watching the others as they get shorn, so they can see that we are not going to harm them.
A few sunny days with a full coat on, and the alpacas are almost jumping on the table to get their fibre off.
You can also see how the alpacas come off the table.
So i have started with an alpaca coming off after being shorn, and another being placed onto the table.
Also, injections, and toe nails are cut at this time as well.

It is also a time you can really assess the fleeces.
Density especially, as the dense ones, it is very hard to push the comb through their coat.
The fine ones, are just so fine, soft, and light.
It is so beautiful, as you see a beautiful fleece peel away from the animal as the shear glide through the fleece, the lustre and the crimp close to the skin, with no dirt through the coat.
You really then can appreciate your breeding, and the results you are seeing with fleece improvement from each generation.

There is always another day ..and the sun will shine

I read the blogs from Europe, Uk, and USA & Canada, and it is pretty cold there.
Whilst you seem to be having very very cold winters, Australia's eastern states are experiencing so much rain, towns are being evacuated, and rivers breaking their banks, and floods, as the water subsides, downstream.

Sometimes this gets you down, and things just do not seem to go wrong.
Then the next day you get up, the sun is shining for us in Australia today, look at the weather bureau, weather looks good for a few days.
Out comes the shears, try and get some shearing done.
Finished some quotes and they have been accepted, so more shipments going for alpacas to two completely new destinations.
Watch this space for more.
A gret start for the new year

Aunty Elyse put up a new pool….it is grouse

swimming pool VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

WHHO ARE THE ALPACAS IN THAILAND

baby doll breed standards

Breed Standards

The grand master breeder, John Ellman took the wild sheep, and developed it into the Southdown that was destined to make its name presence in sheep farming across the world.
Breeding Standards and Practices: Author Valerie Porter writes, "John Ellman once said, that it was more difficult to maintain a good breed thanto raise it to first class and he bequeathed to today's breeders the challenge of continuing what he began."
NABSSAR believes as such, in maintaining the integrity and work that Ellman began and to honor his work by keeping the Southdown conformation without crossing or breeding runt to runt.
The General Character and Appearance of the BABYDOLL Sheep:
BABYDOLL Southdown sheep are known for easy handling and docile dispositions. They are Nurturing mothers. Their small size and easy keeping metabolism requires less acreage per animal compared to other breeds.
Babydoll Southdown's are primarily used as grass mowers, pets, as 4H, and show projects both in conformation and also in wool. The BABYDOLL Southdown is also known for its excellent carcass quality and flavorful meat and are often crossed on light breeds to produce lambs with better carcass characteristics for market
HEAD
The characteristics of the head give each breed its individuality & uniqueness. The BABYDOLL Southdown is polled. The HEAD is medium length and moderately broad, but not so broad to be a birthing obstruction, and with medium length.
MUZZLE & FACE
The muzzle and face should be moderate in width to insure efficient grazing and moderate in length, straight to slightly dished but not Roman.
COLOR of the HAIR on the FACE and MUZZLE of an OLD WORLD OFF WHITE SHEEP
Color of the hair on the muzzle on Old World type off white sheep should be a shade from light tan to cinnamon brown to dark gray brown with even colors preferred. However, blends of similar shades are acceptable as long they are NOT some pigmented color with large white spots with defined margins or solid white.
COLOR of the HAIR ON FACE and MUZZLE of a BLACK SHEEP
HAIR of the Face and Muzzle on a Black or Two Toned Fleeced sheep should be solid black.
WOOL
Wool covering in front of the eyes and cheeks to the muzzle should be short and not so thick to ever cause the sheep to be wool blind. Tear ducts should not be over wooly.
ACCEPTABLE COLOR VARIATIONS
1. OLD WORLD TYPE:
Sheep with off white fleece will have muzzle and leg hair of a brown color with even colors preferred.
a. Light tan to,
b. Cinnamon brown to,
c. Gray brown, even colors being preferable.
2. COLORED SHEEP:
Sheep with solid black to gray fleece, or spotted Black and White Fleece will have muzzle and Leg hair of solid black that may show some graying with age. Black fleeces may fade to shade of gray as the sheep ages.
a. Solid colors Black, Grays with solid colored faces and legs similar
to the color of their fleece.
b. Spotted two-toned fleece with a solid shade of black on faces and legs.
Any pigmented color and white spotting with defined margins marking the
face or legs is a disqualification.
ACCEPTABLE FLEECE COLORS
1. Old World Type off white,
2. Black which may fade to Gray
3. Black and White spotted
EARS
Ears are of medium thickness, moderate in length, level to the poll, proportionate to the head and preferably covered with wool. Short rough hair is acceptable, slick ears are discriminated against. Black or brown-specked ear skin is common. Nose and lip leather should be black, gray or blue and some speckles are common. Solid pink with out any pigmentation is discriminated against.
EYES
Eyes should large bright, brown to yellow.
INCISOR TEETH
Incisor teeth should meet the dental pad.
NECK
Neck, moderately long and upright, wide at the base and laid well into the shoulders, with skin free of wrinkles.
FOREQUARTERS, SHOULDERS, BACK AND LOIN
SHOULDERS
Shoulders should be well muscled, well laid in to the ribs and level with the back. The width at the shoulders should be less than the width at the hips to facilitate easy lambing. Flat & wide topped shoulders should be discriminated against.
BACK
The BACK is somewhat longer than the animal is tall, with more than one half the overall length in the hind saddle as measured from the dock to the 13th rib. The Back should be level front to rear.
LOIN
The LOIN should be long, wide and thick.
RIBS
The ribs should be deep and wide, thick through the heart girth & well sprung
HINDQUARTERS: FEET and LEGS
Short and Straight legs should stand squarely at each corner. Rear legs should stand wide but squarely under the sheep with some angulations of the hocks and slight angulations of the pasterns.
HINDQUARTERS
The hindquarters should be wider than the forequarters and have good width between the pin bones.
RUMP
The rump should be wide and long
TAIL
The tail carriage level to the chin.
THIGHS and TWIST
Thighs and twist should show deep and heavy muscling.
.
HOOF
The hoof color should be black or gray and may have some white stripes. Solid white hoofs are a disqualification.
SIZE
All measurements are at the shoulder and perpendicular to the ground on shorn sheep.
BABYDOLL SOUTHDOWN SHEEP should be from 18-24" tall.
RAMS
Rams look more masculine and are usually larger than ewes. They should be rectangular looking, on a moderate frame. A sheep will be faulted for heights over 24" or shorter than 18 ".
GENERAL
Ewes should have a broad well attached, but not pendulous udder. She should be capable of producing and raising twins. With good care, many ewes will be productive for 8-10 years
Rams should move with freedom of gait and remain active and sound for a similar period. Properly managed Ewes and Rams should be easy keepers and maintain thrifty condition with out grain, with exception of during lactation, & lambs in their first 6 months.
When selecting replacement-breeding stock consider selecting for sheep with the genetics to produce animals with sound conformation that provides easy keeping, and easy birthing abilities to their offspring's. Breeding for undersized sheep often produces poorly muscled and unthrifty lambs and breed integrity should be up-held above all.
DISCRIMINATED AGAINST
Under or Over Sized Sheep
Wide Flat-Topped Shoulders
Extremely Broad Heads
Loosely Attached Scurs
Pink Nostrils
Slick Ears

DISQUALIFICATIONS
Solid scurs or horns
One or both Testicles not descended
Incisor teeth not meeting dental pad
Inverted eyelids
Scrotal rupture
White hooves
White muzzle & leg hair
Pronounced Roman nose
Evidence of cross breeding
Piebald face and legs

BABY DOLL SHEEP……….YES WE ARE HOOKED

		BABY DOLL SHEEP VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Olde English Babydoll Southdowns are commonly called Babydoll Southdowns or Babydolls for short.   Babydoll Southdowns are the Heritage of AUSTRALIAN Standard Southdown Sheep. 

These wonderful sheep make great pets for the hobby farm, & a nice addition for a fibre farm. They have a docile temperament and are very personable.  Babydolls weigh 75 to 120 pounds; rams a bit more. The breed standard is between 18 and 24 inches at the shoulder. They lamb on their own and quite often have twins. 

Their Heritage......Southdown sheep were originally a short and stocky sheep raised primarily for their meat in their native homeland, the South Down Hills of England.  Standard Southdowns are still considered just a meat breed. Babydoll Southdowns are now raised as a dual purpose breed.....meat & wool....add pet to that and they can be considered at triple purpose sheep!!..........

Babydolls do have a short fleece, 2 to 4 inches and it might not be the first sheep you'd think of for wool production but they produce a fine to medium weight wool.  The wool has become know among spinners in the last few years as very soft, spongy and lofty and blends wonderfully with other fibers such as llama and alpaca. 

With the world looking at all enviromental ways of farming, baby dolls are coming in to vogue for the vineyards and orchards, one successful NZ vineyard have been importing Baby doll sheep now for a couple of years to NZ, and they have won awards for this

Uses for the Babydoll Southdown:

Olde English Babydoll Southdowns are outstanding pets who produce wool that is a hand spinner’s delight.  They provide organic weeding and make excellent companion animals and are also a sound investment opportunity.

Wonderful Pets:

These little Babydoll sheep make excellent companions for the young, elderly, and disabled.  Their gentle nature makes them a joy to own, and their diminutive size makes them an excellent choice for 4-H projects.

Wool

Babydoll fleece generally runs in the 19 to 22 micron range, which puts the fleece in the class of cashmere.  Babydoll fleece also has more barbs per inch than any other wool type, making it ideal for blending with other fibers.

Gardeners:

Weeding trials were sponsored and monitored by the association, utilizing Babydolls as organic weeders.  They have been used with great success in wine vineyards as well as fruit and berry orchards since they will not harm the fruits, girdle trunks of trees, or harm shrubs.  They leave the grounds well groomed and fertilize the soil as they graze.

Companions:

Babydoll Southdowns are wonderful companion animals for other non-aggressive livestock.  Their calm, docile disposition has a soothing effect on other livestock. 

.

Care:

Babydolls require the same care as other sheep breeds such as hoof trimming, worming, vaccinations, and yearly shearing.  The handling facilities and feed are not as costly as with larger breeds.  Shelter can be minimal, except at lambing time.  Good fences are essential, more for protection from predators than containment since Babydolls do not challenge fences and do not wonder far.  Portable electric mesh fences are great if you do not already have permanent fencing.

Feed, salt and mineral blocks are important for good health but you must make sure you do not give any sheep copper.  Any feed, salt or mineral block that has copper in it must be keep out of reach of any sheep.

Why Everyone Loves Their Babydoll Southdowns:

The Babydoll woolly teddy bear face will always give you a smile.  Their short legs along with their small size allows them the ability to do well in small areas.  They are ideal for suburban lot owners who want the tranquility of sheep as living lawn ornaments.  Both ewes and rams are polled (have no horns) and are non-aggressive by nature. The ewes are very good mothers, often raising twins and triplets with ease. 

Because Babydoll Southdowns are a ancient breed, they are not prone to many of the modern sheep problems and are resistant to foot rot.  In general, they are cared for like any other sheep which includes worming, hoof trimming, shearing, and vaccination..

Returned To Their Homeland:

One of the major goals of the original Babydoll Southdown Registry (Olde English Babydoll Southdown Sheep Registry) was to return the original breed to England where the little sheep had been extinct for over 50 years.  This goal was accomplished in 1999, but their numbers are so few that they remain on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust List (RBST) http://www.rbst.org.uk/

If you are looking for an addition to your current alpaca herd, Baby Dolls are just the thing.

Popular and gaining more popularity, with most breeders have buyers on their books. One lady i know has sold out all progeny until 2014 (4 years away).

they are just so beautiful, they remind me of little elves, they are just so mystifies and so so cute

ALPACAS IN THAILAND

		Thailand VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

ONLY A SMALL GROUP TO BEGIN WITH….BUT MANY ORDERS TO FOLLOW.

ALPACAS ARE A HUGE HIT In THAILAND. THEY ARE LOCATED IN CHANGIANG, NEAR THE NORTHERN BORDER IN THE HIGHLANDS.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE MOST OF THE YEAR 25 C.

A NEW MARKETPLACE FOR ALPACA.

END USE…TOURISM.

A GREAT EXPOSURE FOR ALPACAS, THEIR GENTLE NATURE, AND THEY WAY THEY RESPOND TO HUMAN KINDNESS.

THESE ALPACAS ARE TREATED LIKE GODS IN THAILAND, AND THEY HAVE BEEN IMPORTED TO ROYAL CIRCLES.

FOR THE FIRST WEEK I AM TOLD, THEY HAVE BEEN HOLDING SPECIAL FESTIVALS FOR THE ALPACAS

THEY HAVE BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS, THE FIRST ALPACAS TO BE EXPORTED TO THAILAND.

10 Reasons to wear Alpaca

1.	Natural
2.	Comfortable
3.	Soft
4.	Real
5.	Elegant
6.	Non-allergenic (aka hypoallergenic)
7.	Naturally colorful
8.	Eco-Friendly
9.	Water resistent, naturally
10.	Odor resistent

Alpaca Clothing is Superior to Wool:
Superior in strength, warmth, softness
Smooth fiber without lanolin removed the itchiness and allergic reactions
Comes in 22 official colors!
Naturally rain resistant
Washable with lower tendency to shrink
Resilient - your cherished alpaca garment can last for many years
Alpaca Fiber is Superior to Man-made Fibers:

More comfortable in cold weather
Warm even when wet
Better wicking of body moisture, superior breathability
Resists odors, even in socks!
100% natural luxurious fiber which is environmentally excellent
Naturally wind resistant
Excellent breathability
Does not mat or pill
Fire resistant, will not melt
Low static
Wrinkle resistant (hang up and wrinkles fade away)

If i could wish every alpaca to be treated like gods…

 

…like the small group that have now gone to Thailand this weekend.

Living Image, we love him, and if there is a fitting place for him and his friends to end up in is a palace, well that is where Image,, Lexus, Becky, Beyonce, Beauty, Dookie Doll.

The alpacas were received in high style, and are now ambassadors not only for Australian Alpacas but for alpacas in general.

And they want more!!!!

Festivals all this week to celebrate their arrival.

For those who were wondering how Rob is..

Rob has had a very Bad week this week…

A week he says he does not want to re live..

He is feeling a lot better, now, that most of the effects of accidently taking my blood pressure tablet has worn off. The pain in his eyes were just so bad, he could not drive home from our current daily airport drop off. His left eye was the one affected most. The pain was excruciating, and to have his eye deadened with a local to give just that pure relief.

It was quite frightening, and scarey.

His sight is under 40% currently in his left eye, and the eye specialist said that this will come back over the next few weeks,.

His explanation- he cannot explain, as it looks like the outter skin of the eye looks as though someone threw acid over it, and it is very badly scared, and pitted.

It was unbelievable, it happened so fast.

I am afraid with a home business, we have to still keep going, although everyone was so worried about Rob, it is all hands on board, but poor Rob, it was so hard.

With his sight down, on one side, a goat came and rammed his knee cap now his leg is also so swollen. He can hardly walk.

A home business is not always what it is cracked up to be.

Elyse as usual, is there putting in her 150% whilst her parents are falling to pieces around her.

Another trip to the airport tomorrow, and Friday, and then she is off, i do not think we will see her for dust.

Her and Josh, and hopefully Lauren and Jessie are off to Glen maggie for the weekend. For Josh’s 24th birthday.

She needs a break, we all do.

No rest for the wicked with Rob and I, i will be working all weekend on paperwork, and Rob has to try and put up a gate, fix a fence, and prepare some more for Monday and Tuesday to the airport.

Just a hiccup with the alpacas going to Thailand, as we just sort out some wording they will be off hopefully in a couple of weeks.

RAELENE…NO, DON’T ANSWER THE PHONE!!!!

A hectic day at the office, just one of those days that the phone did not stop ringing, one after another the phone rang….meanwhile my sister was trying to get my attention….please, no no she said, don’t answer the phone.

SHE GOT MY ATTENTION…I THOUGHT SHE WAS HAVING A HEART ATTACK

WHAT IS DEFAMATION?......WHAT IS FRAUD?

For those that do mobile matings, and try and give good service.
An old fashioned thing, but seems important to us all, especially it seems in the alpaca industry, we all try to give service to new people in the Industry.
Sometimes we make friends and you think these people can do no wrong by you.
Innocently, we in the alpaca Industry can think that we are all nice people.
Most of us, are, and want to spread the good will of alpaca farming and ownership.
But becareful, because there are some people, (although thank goodness only a few), who will take advantage of this friendship, and good service you offer.
In Australia, we give an A4 form for the people to register the offspring from any mating service completed in a live cria from your male.
We do not usually give an A4 form out until the payment has been made.
Call me stupid foolish or what, My husband says i am too trusting. The people say, oh can i have the A4 form, i will send you the money, i left my cheque book at home, and i have to register the cria for a show.
meanwhile, innocently i trust once again.
I give the A4 form, no mating fee comes, and the people meanwhile were not wanting to register the cria for a show, they have already sold the cria.
This is fraud.

I have not got this wrong,
This is fraud
There are people around, that will say anything, some so ridiculous, you wonder how people can believe such rubbish.
But i am afraid gossip, is always more attractive from the truth.
Why do some people do this, you do not affect these people's business, and you mind your own.
But if you are being seen to be doing well, or doing something others are not, then you are a target.
Usually those who join in to be part of the click.
This is defamation.

It happens in all industries.

I can sleep at night as i know, i have not done wrong by others.

Dangers of taking someone else's medication

Back to the Airport this morning, was there last night, again tomorrow morning, Wednesday night, Thursday morning, Thursday night, Friday morning.. a big week this week, and the last thing we need is for any one of us, (Raelene, Rob 7 Elyse), to get sick.
Elyse and Rob were so sick last week. we went out for dinner, to a beautiful Pub, an old favourite, whether or not it was a touch of food poisoning or just a gastro, both Elyse and Rob, were violently ill last week, or for the past 6 days.
So to draft the animals last night, to go through 600 animals, and pull out 100, for last nights trip, by the time we got through that, and the drive.
No one else at the airport, loading so it only took 45 mins, where other times, with Trucks going in and out constantly, dozens of fork lifts zooming around, it can take ages, but it was quiet and all went smooth.
Then the drive home, that is when it catches up on you.
Rob seemed ok last night, and up again at 5.30am, to start drafting another 100 animals, and then load them and start to drive into the city again.
Rob woke up with a touch of hayfever, so, he took some Zantec, that usually clears him.
But this year is so strange, we have had so much rain, it is unbelievable.
Different grasses and weeds are coming up, and Rob's hayfever persisted, just as we were leaving, Rob raced inside, unbeknown to us (raelene & Elyse), who were driving in the car, as Rob drove the truck.
We have a box of our tablets beside his chair in the loungeroom, on a side table.
Elyse placed the silver tablet packet on this table, and when Rob went inside, he thought i better take another Zantec, so that this hayfever will not take hold.
Approx 10 mins later, driving into the morning sun as we headed off into the city, Rob's left eye started to itch like as it would if there was something in it.
But as Rob has virtually been bedriden for the past almost week, he has not got anything in his eye.
We get to the Airport, and start unloading.
just a few hassles unloading.
There was alot of activity there as the forklifts buzz here and there, and the staff, were loading up the ULD's, with the parcels to go onto the planes, and others calculating weights etc.
Menzies is so organised, they are a great team to work with.
Then as the morning went on, with i think the amount of climbing Rob had to do, as he moved each animal to the crate, and bending down and then standing up, He was starting to feel very bad.
As soon as we stopped loading, i have to go and get the final health certs and take them to the airport office, so that they can be attached to the crate, and the AWB are corrected if they need any corrections.
Rob said i will meet you at McDonals, i need a coffee.
McDonald's is just about 3-4 kms away.
By the time we went and got the health cert, and then went to the office, etc, maybe half an hour had passed before we got to McDonalds.
Where is Rob.
The truck was there in the car park....in a dark corner, Rob was sitting there, hat over his eyes, is he asleep?
As we approached him, he said, i cannot see.
What.
My eye is killing me, and my vision would be under 50 %, and my left eye is affecting my other eye, and it is hard to open my eyes, and the glare, i cannot see.
I cannot drive home, i cannot see.
Elyse went and got Rob a coffee.
He was in agony, so Elyse went and got some painadol, just near there is a shopping centre, so she raced over there and went to a chemist, who gave him an eye bath.
He placed the solution in the little tub, and as he put it to his face, he said oh that is soothing my eye.
It helped a little.
Elyse decided to go with Rob in the truck, she usually drives me in, as i still getting over my illness from early this year.
As i followed them down the freeway, I could see, that the solution helped Rob a bit, and Elyse rang me said to go straight home, as Lauren had organised a doctors appointment.
I had not been feeling ell, with the constant giddiness still apparant, and my ankles swelling again, which were some of the first signs of my illness at the beginning of the year.

Finally Rob and ELyse got hoome, and i was waiting for them, as my sister Dianne helped Rob out of the truck, and escorted him to my waiting car, we drove him straight to the doctors.
A new doctor in town who was quite good.
She checked everything out, but at this stage the agony Rob was in, he could hardly lift his head.
He has two ulcers on his cornea. What trauma has caused this, she got another doctor in to check as well.
He also said what have you done, Rob said my eyes were itchy but i just rubbed them, no there has been more trauma to do this.
Rob was in too much agony and it is hard to watch a strong person, to be so much in pain, that he was almost beside himself.
We came home, and Rob, said to my sister, maybe another zertec may help.
He said to her those tablets there.
Dianne said these tablets, and he said yes they were the ones i took. Dianne said these are not Zertec, these are something else.
Dianne bought them into me, who had just also got home, to a dozen messages, and calls, and i said no they are my tablets.
rob was about to take my tablet (now we realise, that when he went inside he took my blood pressure tablet, he did not have his glasses on and picked up the silver paper), rang the doctors, he took the wrong tables which threw his blood pressure up, and has done something to his eye, we have to go to a specialist tomorrow.
But still his agony ios apparant.
We are off top the airport tomorrow, morning, so we hope he will be ok to drive, if not, elyse, lauren and Jesse, and myself will be driving vans and trailers to the airport.
It has been so constant, and very tiring.
But Rob he just said i have never ever ever felt this before, and wow, i just hope his eye is going to be ok, it is looking horrible at the moment, looks as through it is ready to burst.
The moral to this story, put your glasses on before taking tablets. and make sure you are taking the right one.
Thank goodness he asked Dianne for the tablet, and she noticed it was not the tablets he was suppose to have taken, i would hate to think what a second tablet would have done to him.

ULtrafine fleece gone up again

The day after my last Blog, the price for

Ultrafine fleece went up another 25%.

I am told, that the reason the highest prices paid in 20 years is for 

the Ultrafine fleece, si because it is a natural fibre, and the trend is

to go for the natural fibre.

This can only be good for alpaca.

Alpaca can breed quicker to the finer microns than you can with the sheep wool, because of the structure of the fibre.

Not withstanding all the other wonderful qualities about alpaca fibre.

Warmth, lightweight, stronger, soft handle, non allergenic.

Fashion designers are taking up alpaca because not only it is lightweight but unlike wool, the alpaca fabric will drape, where wool will not, so i am told.

 But who can go past an alpaca without wanting to give them a cuddle.

They really are the best animal to farm.

The Confession: A Novel