The long trek north

Well that wasn’t as bad as it might have been! We’ve successfully completed the first return trip north to the Allier, and our walking llamas are now installed in their temporary home.

On Thursday morning, we set out to load the three llamas for the very first time into our horsebox. I suppose, in retrospect, that we could have usefully practised this with them before having to do it for real – but that would have been a bit too organised for the way we do things!

Because of the wet mud around the vineyards, we couldn’t get the horsebox nearer than about 200 metres away from the llama field. This meant that I had to walk them down to the horsebox one at a time, leaving Val to keep them company while I went back for the next one.

Valentine was first, and very reluctant to go up the ramp into the horsebox, despite all the inviting hay and tempting food. Steady pulling and persuasion got him in, but he stood rigid, ignoring the offered treats.

Ana was next, and she got in fairly readily – evidently reassured by Valentine’s presence (and she’s much lighter and easier to pull!).

By the time I was back with Duc, things were getting more difficult. Duc was agitated by the disappearance of his two companions. Two vineyard workers had abandoned their labours and come to watch the fun. Clearly it was time to act decisively.

I marched Duc briskly up to the ramp, and straight in alongside the other two. Ramp closed. Triumph!

Ten seconds later, Ana jumped out of the small front ‘jockey’ door, greatly to the entertainment of the appreciative French audience.

There was no way she was going back in through this small high door, so now we had to lower the main ramp and get her in again. The two onlookers joined in to help with shutting the ramp, and amazingly we were ready to go.

Llamas are surprisingly good passengers. As soon as the horsebox starts to move, they kush down, and stay in this stable position until well after all movement ceases. We stopped a couple of times on the journey, to allow them to have a break. They were reasonably relaxed, and did eat both hay and some concentrate after about 10 stationary minutes.

All in all, it was a trouble-free trip. On arrival at Mike and Sue’s house, they stayed kushed down until well after the ramp was lowered and we were ready to let them out.

They settled in extraordinarily quickly, and their new female companions were suitably interested and attentive.

Duc ‘greets’ Yoda – his father, whom he hasn’t seen for over a year.

All three are fascinated by the strange sight of sheep in the next field.

We left our precious llamas this morning, confident that they would be happy and well cared for until we return at the beginning of next week with the remaining members of our flock.