Nottinghamshire Llama trek

In the early hours of Sunday 5th October the rain was coming down in torrents in Kirkby in Ashfield. This continued during the morning and we were all wondering if we would have to cancel. However we were very lucky as the sun came out about an hour before the start time of 2 pm and continued through the afternoon.

John and Vivienne Ives brought along four llamas, including two yearlings for their education to be advanced by the trek, and Katy Williams brought her white boy ‘Narner’. Together with my two girls we had 7 animals and with a couple of friends making up numbers we had 6 leaders. Unfortunately Barry, Jenny and Danielle Brosnan who were planning to add to the numbers, were unable to attend due to a Danielle having riding accident that morning. Fortunately no lasting damage was done to Danielle’s wrist.

We set off just after 2.30 and trekked for 2 hours and around 4 miles. Almost all was off road, along tracks and paths through an amazingly rural area on the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire borders close to the M1. On our return the llamas were either loaded into their trailers or shared my field shelter while we had a very welcome tea, sandwiches, cake etc. and the essential llama chat!

The route had to be changed due to the wet weather to avoid the cultivated fields, which meant we retraced our steps slightly, but everyone agreed we should make this an annual event. I hope the turnout will be bigger next year as the location, being just off the A38 and 4 miles from junction 28 of the M1, is reasonably accessible for many members.

Brian Haughton

East Midlands Co-ordinator