Peak Hill Llama Walk
With no time to rest on our last day in Lyme Regis we were excited to be heading off to another beautiful landscape to walk with llamas. This experience would surely be a pick me up for my battle with the flu.
On arrival at Peak Hill Farm we were announced by the old farm dog who barked loudly at our arrival. Then an old friendly farm cat called Molly was extremely pleased to meet us. She got a competition going between Rob and I to see who could give the best pats!!! She was such a friendly soul. We were told that she was a stray who had kittens in their barn, so she happily became the farm cat who was happy to catch mice in the barn. She is a lucky cat to have found a loving home.
We first heard about our guide and her llama walks on holiday show on TV. She seemed so passionate about her llamas that we decided that it was a must do experience for us. We had also had 2 different stays on our trip, one in Germany and one in Sweden where we had experiences of being up close with llamas. We had also named our travel blog Vintagellamas.com as we felt that we had become curious about the world on our travels, just like llamas are very curious animals.
We were blessed by the best winter day of the year!!! This gave us a glorious views over East Devon Jurassic Coastline. We met our beautiful llamas. Their coats were so soft to touch. I had glamour Ollie, who is the pack leader. That means he is very vocal. He keeps his pack in check and likes to chat a lot. As the leader of the pack he never walks at the front of the pack. He always trails at the back surveying his surroundings. Always checking out what’s new or who is on his terrace.
Rob had young 7 year old Harry who had spirit.
After a few get to know you pats we set off with Harry in the lead for a beautiful walk alongside two graceful llamas.
When you spent time with llamas you realise they have very sexy legs. They walk with a prehistoric step.
We learnt they have quite bold characters and only spit if they are not treated well or something is being done to them that they don’t like. They are unable to kick and they can’t bite as they only possess one row of teeth. These beauties can live into their late twenties.
We headed down the lane and across the road through a farm of friendly goats.
Then we hit bramble lane where the llamas loved to eat from.
We learned that a llamas is a little like a cat. Very independent and needs to be treated with respect. We realised we were just tagging along on their walk. So we gave them plenty of time to eat from the hedges.
Our pathway was muddy and Rob just threw away his old shoes as they were riddled with holes. Mine were ever worse. Maybe we should have kept them on just for this trek.
It was a real joy to be out in the green fields and the llamas. The views all around us were stunning.
One sheep decided to join in on our walk. The llamas were not at all concerned to have a sheep join in.
You could tell when the llamas had spotted hikers or a dog on the walking trails ahead as they would stop still and observe.
Where the trail got busy other walkers stopped to take photos and asked to pat the llamas.
These llamas are also used for positive experiences in nursing homes. They are taken into the nursing homes to allow the elderly to pat them which provides a positive sense of wellness. Animals are really just amazing and it is so wonderful that a nursing home is really open minded in their care of the elderly. A big curious llama fills your body with positive emotions. This is the best medicine of all. I know as I was feeling wonderful even though I had the flu.
We were feeling the joy and we were able to watch every hiker willingly want to pat, touch and talk to these beautiful llamas.
As a teacher I think we should have animals in schools to calm and de-stress our students, they in turn would learn to care for them. In turn there are so, so many rules and regulations. I know first hand we no long have hatching chicken or guinea pigs in our school. Instead our schools are becoming sterile places.
We stopped on top of the ridge to give our llamas a bowl full of treats. We fed them from a bowl, gave them pats and admired the stunning hinterland views.
We were sad at the end of our llama hike as it was so pleasant that we could have kept on exploring with these beauties.
On our way back through the farm we meet a family of seven active dogs, more sheep, horses and the goats again. #goingtomisscountrylife. We only have one week left of our 13 month trip of a life time. It is animal and outdoor walks like this that have made our trip really special. We patted Ollie and Harry goodbye and headed off to catch the Jurassic Coast spectacular winter sunshine set.
This is the wonderful view over the town and cliffs as headed down into Sidmouth. Wow is what we said!!!
Then came the cute village of Beer, lit up with Christmas cheer.
And lastly we caught the sunset if over the beachfront at Beer. The cliff face was stunning. It looked like an elephant kneeling down having a drink at sunset.
Not a day we will ever forget!!!
