Stenness’ Diary
Hello All,
Llama trekking has been taking place on the farm in the last few weeks. Our people have had several guests staying in the holiday cottages and they have all wanted us to show them around the farm. We llamas have decided that people have no sense of direction and lack the confidence to walk round the farm on their own, because, every time we have visitors they seem to need us to show them the route around the fields, lake, woodland (tasty), and orchard ( very tasty).
A couple of weeks ago Ringsbury, Silbury, Avebury, and I went round the farm with Sue and Terry Two-Leg and our own people. This was great. There’s always parts of the farm that are boringly ‘off-limits’ to us but when there’s a walk on we get to go everywhere. The woodland’s brilliant because there are really unusual trees in it – sweet chestnut, wild pear, walnut, rowan, liquidambar, London plane and medlar (what’s that?). They look good, but they taste better. As a special treat leaves were pulled from the trees for us to eat – apparently we’re not allowed to help ourselves as we might bite the tops off the young trees. Fair enough, it’s the job of a good young llama to be obedient (me), though older llamas tend to grab bits of tree when no-one’s looking (Silbury).
We had a lovely walk, and Sue Two-Leg walked with me as I hummed gently to her. Terry Two-Leg walked with Avebury who was particularly keen on the blackthorn trees surrounding the orchard. We got along famously as they live in Devon which is where we were all born.
Our latest guests, Julia and Paul Two-Leg, were introduced to us a couple of days ago, and they were also very nice. It had rained overnight so we were all wet and when we’re wet we llamas really don’t like being groomed. So after penning, feeding and haltering we only had a quick once-over with a brush. Only three llamas went for a walk this time and I was left behind with Brodgar and the girls. We managed to tuck into the hay whilst the three oldest boys were off doing their thing.
I quite like sitting down with my legs stretched out in front, and this is sometimes more comfortable than kushing as it lets me stretch my legs. There I am on the right with my front legs out. It looks strange to people but we’re used to it. I think they look strange when they sit in a chair. Each to their own.
After the walk was over I heard that Ringsbury had been playing his new favourite game on his walk. He calls it ‘Snorting at Hoggle’ which means when he’s within distance of our visiting guest llama he stands about a foot taller than normal, puffs his chest out and snorts in Hoggle’s direction. Great sport he calls it, but I don’t see the point myself.
More llama talk soon.
