Walking with Alpacas

A picture can paint a thousand words, but sometimes a few more can be helpful. So for anyone who's thinking of going on an alpaca walk but aren't sure if its for you, let me help. Take it from a city girl, this is an experience anyone can enjoy. Paul and I had booked to go on the alpaca walk with afternoon tea afterwards, so the actual walk wasn't that long. A good introduction to alpacas though, and plenty enough time to know if you like it.

At 1.30pm everyone had assembled outside the shop/reception and we were taken over to the Alpaca pen and ushered inside. Here we were all allocated an alpaca, it seemed like you were pretty much paired up with the alpaca closest too you. Mine was called Portofino, Paul's Bertie. The girl who was leading the walk went through a few things, like how to hold the lead, and how alpacas are pretty laid back and like to take a calm amble. Oh how I wish someone told Portofino that, as soon as the gate was open......he was off! Yes, I had the alpaca with attitude. He was cute and all, but in a terrible hurry to get out front and stay there. He pretty much took me along for the ride! We were led through the farm and into one of the fields, and then made our way to a lovely little wooded area. Lots of bluebells and an ideal location to stop for photo's. We took loads, and also too the opportunity to feed the alpacas with the feed we had bought at the shop. I also too the opportunity to swap alpacas with Paul and I enjoyed the rest of the walk with the very placid Bertie. He was a sweetie, happy to bring up the rear and stop to eat grass.

When we got back to led the alpacas back into their pen, and said good bye. Be warned if you do this, wear old clothes, alpacas drool all over you! After the walk I had to go back to the car and take my drool covered fleece off.

And then it was time for afternoon tea, which was nothing short of amazing. There were the usual sandwiches, cakes and scones with jam and cream. But there were also sweet potato fries and banana ketchup. Never tried banana ketchup? You have never lived - delicious! All of the food was fabulous, and I can't recommend it highly enough. So from someone who's known not to be a lover of the great outdoors, if you have the chance - go walk an alpaca.