Well… We made it.

Hard to believe that the move was a week ago. It goes without saying that it was a couple of days of unmitigated hell and that we’re still living out of boxes (and will probably continue to do so for months).

But we’re here and ready to start our new life.

One of the first loads leaves Meadows

But there is no way that we could have done it on our own so indulge me a moment while I acknowledge a few people from the alpaca industry who helped to make this possible:

Rosalie Brinkworth from Andean Gold Alpacas who put so much into helping us to get packed and organised.

Susan Haese from Yaringa Alpacas who helped move animals and arrived with a home cooked meal on Thursday night

Fred & Bernadette Duncker from Glenvois Alpaca who helped with animals

And last, but by no mean least, Chris Williams from Ambersun. Chris helped us move tonnes of plants and equipment, he sorted out our water and he gave us a roof over our heads and hot showers on our first night. Most of all, it was Chris who probably kept us sane..

As for the Alpacas… They could not be happier

Heading off into the sunset to explore their huge new home

60% done with 80% to go…

At least, that’s what it feels like.
We don’t actually exchange formally until Thursday, but, as the new place is empty, we have a ‘licence to occupy’ which means that we’ve spent the last 3 days (a long weekend here in South Australia) starting the move.
We’ve never moved farm before. It’s a bit more complex than moving house isn’t it? All that equipment, the workshop, the tools etc. Strangely, the alpacas are turning out to be the easy part; that’s one of the great things about this business – a real sense of community, everyone mucks in to help.
Vet inspection today, a bit nervous about that. We’re part of the Q-Alpaca program, a national bio-security scheme. As the new place has been used for cattle and sheep in the recent past the inspection has to be thorough (and probably expensive).
Anyway, here’s a sneak preview
 
The top dam. One of four large wet areas and home to yabbies and marron

Really looking forward to seeing alpacas grazing over those hills
So, land? 10 out of 10.
House and shedding? That’s another story…