Becoming one with nature is often an experience sought by the adventurous travelling far and wide in search of that something special. Yet just three hours south of London some friends and I shared a weekend experience of winter discovery along the Jurassic coast: an encounter with Llamas.
Our group comprised of a couple of Londoners, two from the suburbs and a friend from Hong Kong. A mish-mash of urbanites, many of us had had animal encounters prior but there was air of excitement as we met Maggie, the proprietor of Peak Hill Llamas.
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Our induction was sufficiently long to prep us on health and safety yet at the same time refreshingly short; important given the excitement across all of our faces as we found ourselves in the company of llamas.
Sure, the animal is a native of South America and perhaps little can compare to meeting one in its natural environment, trekking the Andes. For us however, the area of Sidmouth was sufficiently rural with its rolling hills, to enact sufficient excitement; and to be blessed with a clear day in the midst of winter, a blessing of its own!
Maggie paired us up with a ratio of one llama per person. I've walked a dog before, played with cats, hugged a panda, held a baby white tiger, been kissed by a seal, but none of these nor other experiences prepared me for Rufus. With the first thought to mind of the futuristically dressed character from Bill 7 Ted's Excellent Adventure, Rufus was the flip opposite. Sure he was tall and white, but that's where the comparison ended.
With Rufus, Leadership Has a Meaning
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| Farrukh enjoying his weekend trip. |
It is said that each animal has its own soul, its own personality, and this was evidently visible with Rufus. With some animals it is difficult to make them move; with some children you can experience much the same. Here instead was a clash of personality, Rufus asserting his authority insisting that he is indeed the king. He would walk when he wanted to walk and no sooner, nor later.
In the back of my mind, all I was thinking was Grandizer intalaq! (Go Grandizer! for those familiar with the 80s animation cartoon). In reality, despite my knowledge of the command 'Walk-on,' I spent much of the morning feeling as if I was the one being led!
Similarly our group discovered that each of our llamas had their own distinct personality, and while some were lucky to have llamas more interested in the plants - despite just having eaten! Others, speaking of myself, were subject to random jerks as and when Rufus's temperamental nature sought fit. This isn't of course a complaint, rather an appreciation for the experience. It dubs further as a lesson in life where we may want to do one thing but a higher power has a very different plan!
Looking at England’s South Coast
Despite the varying animal personalities, our team of llama trekkers eventually made it through some fields climbing to the top of a cliff. In-between the cold chilly winds, the view out to the ocean were simply stunning. Moments later Maggie pointed out the curved coastal line giving us our first glimpse of the deep red cliffs of the Jurassic coast. A vivid contrast to the often-marketed view of England's south coast, the white chalk cliffs of Dover, these cliffs brought back memories of the red dessert we would often visit for picnics as a child growing up in Arabia. Though to be fair, the comparison ended at the color.
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| In our more complex lives there we shared an experience like no other. This is a blessing of good company, of environment. If only every short-break in England would be as exciting as this! |
It wouldn't have been an English vacation without a downpour, and true to form the heavens opened up, albeit momentarily. But there was something about trekking the countryside with a group of friends, some llamas, with a view of rolling hills to one side, a view of the ocean to the other, rain pouring, winds chilling; it was something about all of these when combined brought a sense of peace to mind. There and then, I wouldn't want to be anywhere.
Making our way back down the cliffs we stopped to feed the llamas a short treat. Oh my! Having recently had breakfast, having nibbled on any and every plant and tree leaf en our route, I found myself in utter shock to discover the eagerness with which the llamas raced towards their nibbles. A solitary sighting of a carrot and I was pulled along by Rufus as if he hadn't eaten for weeks, and it was much the same for the rest of our group!
It was then that I realized that no matter how beautiful these llamas were, no matter how different their characters and personalities, they were at the end of the day, llamas. Their purpose is to do whatever it is llamas do.
Check more photos taken by Farrukh here: |
All the while our purpose, as human beings, is at times very different. Yes, we require nourishment but we have capacity to do and be much more. We have a very different potential something which in an age of convenience many of us simply to not exploit.
Later when we checked out of Pinn Barton Farm, where Betty our host looked after us with the best of Bed & Breakfast hospitality, our group, all of us, felt a sense of loss. In what short time we spent with the llamas we had all developed a love for them.
In our more complex lives there we shared an experience like no other. This is a blessing of good company, of environment. If only every short-break in England would be as exciting as this!
