Latest Fleece Podcast Episodes
A quiet start to the alpaca day
Alpaca Tribe - June 26, 2024 14:14 - 13 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, the air was still and the valley was quiet. The alpacas were waiting for breakfast. What a great start to the day. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@al...
It's not over until it is finished
Alpaca Tribe - June 19, 2024 16:26 - 13 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I finish the update on this year's shearing and happenings in the valley. It is always nice to clean up and pack away the shearing equipment for another year. It went well, we had a good crop of fleece and almost all of the herd were in...
Back to the beginning
Alpaca Tribe - June 12, 2024 14:59 - 14 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we revisit episode one when it all began. Unexpected commitments have kept me from my microphone this week but should be back to normal next. This is where we began. Hope you enjoy. Steve Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed i...
Shearing alpacas is always different
Alpaca Tribe - June 05, 2024 18:33 - 18 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, The weather shifted in the right direction, allowing us to start the shearing. A good crop of fleece - better than last year and the girls all seem to be in good shape, which is nice to see. Keeping records is a good idea - keep it s...
Walking with alpacas literally and metaphorically
Alpaca Tribe - May 29, 2024 19:45 - 17 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, walking with alpacas is a delight. Watch them move. Note the footfalls and the fluid motion. Watch them from many angles. It is a great reason to go spend time with your alpacas. We had some visitors to come talk alpaca fibre and fashi...
Food fleece and feathers
Alpaca Tribe - May 22, 2024 18:31 - 17 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I offer a quick valley update and some alpaca musings. Join me for breakfast with the girls. Check out the bird listening/recording/identifying app Merlin Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in tou...
What is it like to live with alpacas?
Alpaca Tribe - May 15, 2024 18:41 - 19 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I muse on some of the realities we face when we choose to live with alpacas. I am not trying to put you off, well, only a little. But, I do want you to avoid having an unrealistic, romantic notion of what is will be like. If you alread...
What could intentional interactions with your alpacas look like?
Alpaca Tribe - May 08, 2024 19:09 - 17 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Grow in experience and confidence and get things done. Plan intentionally and add small steps together to make good progress. The geese continue to delight with their parenting skills. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like...
Arrivals that surprise
Alpaca Tribe - May 01, 2024 15:42 - 17 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Spring continues to arrive including some new goslings that were not expected. It reminds me of some unexpected alpaca births we have had over the years. While you are sitting with your alpacas, maybe you can learn to identify the different grasses an...
Alpacas have eyes that look back
Alpaca Tribe - April 24, 2024 19:35 - 15 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Alpacas are such a delight to have in your life. I look at them and smile - and sometimes laugh. And then notice their eyes that look back. Hidden depths. I don't think I expected to be caught as much as I have been. Spring advances and the alpacas are...
Spring makes me think of alpaca births
Alpaca Tribe - April 17, 2024 19:10 - 19 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsSheltering from a Spring shower reminds me of alpaca births here on the farm. Feeding at both ends of the day, mending fences and watching the swallows. A good day. Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, plea...
Be even more alpaca
Alpaca Tribe - April 09, 2024 16:50 - 18 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! I have talked about being more alpaca before (episode 97 back in November 2020) I wanted to revisit it and found four areas that struck me as important as the moment. I hope they might inspire you to be more alpaca in your 'normal life' too. Peaceful ...
Hats and alpacas revisited as spring arrives
Alpaca Tribe - April 03, 2024 19:18 - 17 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I share a lovely story about hats and her alpacas from a listener in France. Thanks for sharing with me and then letting me share it with everyone else. Spring continues to arrive - delightful. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjo...
Do your alpacas notice when you wear a hat?
Alpaca Tribe - March 27, 2024 11:05 - 17 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! I have many hats and I wear most of them. The alpacas sometimes seem to take exception. Of course, the metaphorical hats we wear connect to roles and responsibilities. Listen in as I talk hats and alpacas. LINKS Tilley Hats Claire Whitehead – UKAlpa...
Learning through alpaca shows - even if you do your own
Alpaca Tribe - March 20, 2024 18:26 - 11 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Alpaca shows can be a great place to learn what to notice, how to describe and what to give priority to. Lots to be seen and heard. Animals to be seen and lovely alpaca people to be met. Often they are available online if you are not able to travel. ...
Ways to thrive with your alpacas
Alpaca Tribe - March 13, 2024 18:19 - 13 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I offer you three things you can do to help you thrive. The good news is they will also help your alpacas. Find somewhere to sit. Be clear about what you want. Stay connected. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you ...
Chirps, Honks, and Alpacas: A Winter Day on the Farm
Alpaca Tribe - March 06, 2024 18:31 - 14 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Geese joined the alpacas in their field just before feeding time, which got a little complicated. A cold but dry frosty morning made for a lovely time standing with my female alpacas while they had breakfast. Unfortunately, the sun had not arrived at th...
Ten things that make alpacas different to other animals
Alpaca Tribe - February 28, 2024 18:45 - 21 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! You may have heard it said that alpacas are basically the same as sheep but with long legs and necks. I know why people say that but I think they are wrong. Listen in as I share some of the unique characteristics of these amazing animals. Thanks fo...
How to grow your herd of alpacas
Alpaca Tribe - February 21, 2024 19:01 - 17 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! There can be a strong driver towards growing your alpaca herd. But there is a comfortable limit which is determined by considering the amount of land you have, the amount of time you have and the amount of money you have. Slow deliberate growth to a m...
It is always hard when you lose an old friend
Alpaca Tribe - February 14, 2024 14:43 - 16 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Sadly, this week, we lost our herd matriarch, Millie. She has been mentioned on the podcast many times and has been with us for 15 years. Seeing her twice a day for that length of time is a lot of alpaca interaction. She had an amazing attitude and tau...
Assumptions we make about alpacas may not be the full story
Alpaca Tribe - February 07, 2024 18:47 - 14 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I want to consider people's assumptions about alpacas. There may be some truth, but it is not the full story. It is also not a definitive list. Let me know if you think there are other assumptions people make about alpacas. Alpacas spi...
A small breeder's view of the Australian alpaca industry
Alpaca Tribe - January 31, 2024 16:24 - 23 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, Steve continues his conversation with Rita Soares of Campo Verde Alpacas in Australia. They talk about their experience as small breeders in Australia and the UK with its contrasts and similarities. They discuss the state of the alpaca...
Summer and Winter at the same time
Alpaca Tribe - January 24, 2024 14:39 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I had the pleasure and delight of catching up with my friend Rita Soares from Campo Verde Alpacas in Australia. We compared seasons and considered the magic of cria watch and new birth. Join us. Rita's Instagram feed @campoverdealpacas...
Using your head and your heart
Alpaca Tribe - January 17, 2024 18:36 - 18 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Good decisions are made when we balance head and heart. Not in equal measure but by taking both into account. Most of us favour one or the other, so reflect on how you tend to do this, before making big decisions like "should I keep alpacas?" If you wa...
Sitting in the cold with your alpacas
Alpaca Tribe - January 10, 2024 15:40 - 25 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Join me in the valley for a sit in the cold and some breakfast with the girls. It might not be the best time of year in the UK for sitting outside. If you get some surprise winter sun do take advantage of it. New Year encourages some philosophical re...
Thinking of planning your alpaca year
Alpaca Tribe - January 03, 2024 19:04 - 17 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we start the year with intention. With a plan of when we will do the alpaca things that need to be done this coming year. What needs to be done and when? What will you do on March 17th? OK, so that is too detailed. What will you do in ...
Sounds of the season
Alpaca Tribe - December 27, 2023 16:09 - 9 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Seasons have different sounds - here are some from the valley and house on Christmas day. Happy Holidays. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave m...
Seasons greetings and hopes for the new year
Alpaca Tribe - December 20, 2023 18:12 - 12 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I reflect on fears and hopes and share my best wishes for the season. The alpacas like to be around when I am up to something but I ended up surprising them with some overflowing water. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it....
Your alpaca questions will change over time
Alpaca Tribe - December 13, 2023 14:45 - 17 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode of The Alpaca Tribe, host Steve Heatherington reflects on the past year and discusses the growth and confidence he has gained over time in caring for alpacas. He shares anecdotes about his alpacas' behaviors and talks about interpreting ...
How to avoid stress with alpacas
Alpaca Tribe - December 06, 2023 15:29 - 26 minutes ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsWelcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, Steve provides a weather forecast, talks about visitors, including a swan and an unidentified goose, and shares observations and reflections about how being around alpacas can help reduce stress and how we, in turn, can reduce stress fo...
Related Fleece Topics