The before and after Story
Create an ecological, sustainable, permaculture farm, sharing knowledge, skills, inspiration…..and a good yarn!
My Life before Alpacas
Prior to leaping across the pond from the UK to Portugal, my career was varied and stimulating. Starting out as a working artist and sculptor in the film and theatre industry which was incredibly rewarding also gave me my first insight into some of the practises of textile production in the fashion and film world…it wasnt inspiring…and working with young people in the voluntarily youth club sector. Alternative healthcare p, alternative education and a willow weaving sculpting business, there was never a dull moment!
With a passion for good organic food and gardening and a growing family, I had a yearning for more space where I could plant lots of trees almonds, apricots, avocados..as my personal favourite …I discovered Portugal due to an old family tie via the ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries as my grandparents had hosted many Portuguese Urasma Students in the UK when I was a young child.
In 2009 we made the leap moving everything to a little slice of wild heaven, absolute bliss, the People, the culture, the weather, the farming, living the dream…..
The reality
Lots and lots of brambles, nature is a relentless boss, impossible deadlines and with only one year before our first precious shipment of a herd of premier alpacas arriving at our farm.
Now a few years on, with many tall stories, the good, the bad and some very ugly! we would like to think we can share our experience, our animals and our farm.
The highs and lows, the challenges that we have faced create a richness of spirit that I am very grateful for.
The aim to explore a way of living to inspire a viable and respectful farming practise that might make a difference!
Our Alpacas.
Why alpacas….? in all my creative experiences I have always had a passion for wool, but rarely was I able to indulge it within my professional career. Wool as a resource is highly versatile renewable and an ecological material that has built empires. A dream to promote rural eco developments for a sustainable future alpacas became top of the list. Alpacas have many positive attributes which made them a success for the Incas in South America which still stand today. (more)
Each of our alpacas was hand-picked for its fine confirmation, excellent health, colour and blood lineage. Being a highly adaptable animal adjusting to their new environment and climate was incredibly easy.
Life for us without alpacas would be unimaginable, they are a true pleasure to be around. Very curious by nature, a constant source of amusement when they meet their first kid goat, puppy, kitten or chicken.
