Ted's Diary
written by Amen Ra (Ted) The Alpaca of Distinction

20th February 2007. Hi fans, sorry for the delay – but it has been all change here at Little Gems. 

First let me tell you about Barnaby.  Well you know all about the rain down here in Devon – Well, poor old Barnaby couldn’t get out of his paddock for a walk on his halter because of all the mud at his gateway (See! - I said that mud skis would be a great idea!)  Well after about ten minutes or so the BOSS managed to persuade Barnaby to paddle through the thick sticky mud, (with her help) and let him off in My paddock!  MY Paddock! I mean, I ask you!

But it turned out all right, because I have a new field-mate and friend to chat to – it's much easier to gossip "ear to ear" eating tasty grass than with neck stretched over a railing. 

Barnaby is happy too.  The BOSS calls us the Dynamic Duo, - like Batman and Robin.  Hmm - Bat Alpaca! and maybe "Dobbin"? - Uh, Uh! NO, the BOSS wouldn't let me get away with that one! But I like the bit about ME being the hero! Will I get a batmobile and a cape? – I can use my Zorro mask.  But I think Barnaby will look silly in tights! 

Poor Barnaby - he misses his mate Barley – who (BOSS tells me) is happy in far off Essex, being spoilt and loved to bits!

Of course nobody reminded me that I'd have to share my hay and grass, and even my shelter – but Barnaby is a great guy, really cool and laid back – he will have to be, because he is going into the show ring later this year! 

Which leads me to the other bit of news.

On Saturday we had some lovely visitors; Mark and Mike. Of course they came to see ME. Oh, all right, AND Alex and Charm. Yeah, O.K. - everybody really. 

We each had to be caught and examined.  There was much "Ooh-ing" and "Ahh-ing" over MY beautiful markings and my "Cool Dude" attitude.  But I think Alexander got the Mr. Macho Award.  There was a "Wow!" and a "Goodness Me" as soon as his fleece was opened, and they spent a great deal of time discussing his "Macho" attributes, and admiring his posturing, once they let him go into the field next to the ladies.

Well, he’s a show off – what else can you say? Okay, he is quite a guy, I suppose.

Barnaby impressed the visitors as well, but I think the actual Star Of The Day was, as usual, CHARM!  Well, all of us boys can't keep our eyes off her, and it seems that the humans have the same problem.  There was much chattering,  feeling, cuddling and admiring – but BOY!, was it COLD!  Our visitors' teeth were chattering, and their hands were freezing. You don't know how chilly it is until you've had a cold hand right through your fleece, I can tell you!

Well, after a while they left to have a cup of hot tea and to discuss our future. (No hot tea for us you notice!)
   
Now BOSS has not been too well lately, and has had to make a "life changing decision" – so we have all been SOLD (yes, you hear that right) we have ALL BEEN SOLD!

But its O.K. - our friendly visitors, Mark and Mike, (that came yesterday) are going to take us all together over to a place very like our home here; lots of acres of grass in Dartmoor - another Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so we shall be "M & M Alpacas of outstanding natural beauty" -  new name, new owners, same beautiful alpacas and the same old Ted -  but with much more grass and hay (they promised).  We get to stay together, I shall still see my mum and Boadie and Charm and keep my pal Barnaby. They have promised to look after us and love us as much as the BOSS does – even take me out for long walks, and LOTS of hay – great! and cuddles (well, we all have to make allowances, don't we). 

I will still be able to write my diary, with the help of BOSS, - she says it will not be too hard work as she is going to visit me regularly – I do hope so, ‘cause even if I am The Alpaca of Distinction, I shall miss BOSS, - she helped me into the world, and has looked after me lovingly for two and half years. It has been worth putting up with the cuddles.  And I shall really miss my long interesting conversations with "Other Half" – I will have to make lots of notes, and we can have a good old "chin-wag" when he comes over.

I will tell you all more about where we are going and our new friends next time – I shall have to "grill" the BOSS and Other Half – get all the facts, you know - like Sherlock Holmes, now HE wore a cape, - you don't suppose he had to wear tights as well, do you? I definitely need a cape! But I'm NOT wearing the tights! Not for all the hay in Devon! (Hmm, just how much hay do you suppose that would be? - NO! it doesn't matter! - and I can't believe I just said that!)

Your Caped Crusader – TED.

Click HERE to see Ted's last Diary Page