Well, this is as good as it gets, we have found a little piece of paradise here on Earth situated on the beautiful Cornish/Devon border.

It was in 2003 when Sandy & I decided that we had had enough of the 'rat race', the noise, the pollution, the traffic jams and just the very stressful daily life.  We felt completely in a rut.  Like most, we watched all those television programs about people moving to the countryside changing their way of life or moving abroad.  We used to think 'wow how lucky and brave these people were' but we never thought seriously about doing it ourselves until we both faced life changing experiences.  This made us look at our lives and where our priorities really lay.  It was an easy decision to make and at the same time we came across Alpacas, it was meant to be and we soon found our smallholding at 'Thistledown'.  Our only regret to changing our lifestyle, moving to the countryside and farming Alpacas is that we did not do it sooner.  

We fell in love with 'Thistledown' which is on the border of Devon and Cornwall.  It has 4.5 acres and the views are simply breathtaking, we moved in on the 1 October 2003.   If anyone is thinking of changing their lifestyle, moving to the countryside working a smallholding and you are not quite sure what to do, please come and visit us, you are more than welcome, it may change your life forever.  Sometimes we all need a little nudge, but dreams are worth chasing! 

Alpacas are the answer, you can farm them on a small acreage.  Looking after them is relatively easy, even for beginners and the end product is their fleece.  They are the most charming, gentle and inquisitive little critters you would ever want to meet.  Being around them every day truly is a gift.  Our herd have certainly graced both our lives.  

Alpacas are not killed for their meat so they are ideal for vegetarians.  They are bred solely for their magnificent fleece.  Alpacas are a gift to be shared. 

Every Alpaca contact we have made throughout the UK and the rest of the World, especially Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA have all been extremely enthusiastic and helpful.  Our intention is to share all this knowledge we have gained and to help build up the Alpaca business to become the standard of quality it once was some 500 years ago in South America.  

"If we don't know the answer to any questions we will find out, we are here to help".

Sadly in July 2006 Sandy lost her fight against breast cancer. Thistledown was a very sad & lonely place for a long time.  This was her dream & briefly she lived it.

Things have moved on since those sad days & now I have a new lady in my life, Sajla, we met in May 2008. Finally Thistledown is a very happy place again, Sajla loves the alpacas & is learning to hand spin the beautiful fleece along with cooking me great curries.