Jessica Redland’s brand new
Undertaking research for any book is essential for accuracy and authenticity. This usually means ploughing through factual information on websites and messaging experts, but occasionally I cover a subject where I have the opportunity to do something a little more personal. I’ve spent a day with a master chocolatier, watched the lifeboat crew undertake training exercises, helped at a hedgehog rescue centre and hand-fed a hoglet. All of these experiences were amazing but the hands-on research I undertook for The Best is Yet to Come might have just tipped the balance
as my favourite yet.
The Best is Yet to Come tells the story of Emma who has a dream to set up an alpaca walking business. I’d never have thought of including alpacas in my Escape to the Lakes series but the moment I spotted a field of them at The Lingholm Estate – the stunning property beside Derwent Water which inspired the creation of Willowdale Hall – I knew they’d take centre stage in one of my stories.
Last Easter, we had a research holiday in the Lake District and I booked my daughter and I on an alpaca walk through the grounds of The Lingholm Estate through social enterprise Alpacaly Ever After. You can join a mixed group or, for a little more money, can book a private walk. As I knew I’d want to bombard our guide with questions, I booked the latter. Our guide was Nicole and our alpacas were Jebediah (Jeb) and Ralph. I was excited but also a little apprehensive as alpacas are fairly big (although not nearly as big as llamas) but Nicole gave such a brilliant briefing about handling and safety (for us and the alpacas) that I felt completely reassured. It was quickly obvious what gentle creatures they are.
Alpacas are herd animals so there’s a hierarchy. When it comes to the walks, some are leaders and others are followers. For us, Jeb was the leader. The circular walk takes guests through parts of the grounds only be accessed by those staying in the holiday accommodation (meaning it’s lovely and peaceful), pauses on the grass for feeding, goes down to the lake then back to base via the back of the house.
The stop at the lake was the highlight – such a stunning setting. The alpacas love it and some will immediately sit down in the water, which Jeb did. Nicole was exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about alpacas and we learned so much from her throughout our walk.
This Easter, we returned for a second walk, this time with Howard and Billy, and it was equally amazing. I’d been in touch with the team at Alpacaly Ever After asking if I could get a bit more hands on and was invited to spend a morning with Nicole and another guide, Jade, to see their routine before the guest walks commenced. I helped scoop up the poop at Lingholm, observed some meds being given, collected a van full of hay from a nearby farm, and travelled to another site where we topped up the water trough and cleared up some of the muddy hay.
It’s a dirty, physical job in all weathers but the guides love it because working with alpacas is such a joy. They all have their own personalities and quirks and it was great fun incorporating those into Emma’s herd of alpacas in The Best is Yet to Come. I cannot recommend a meet and greet or a walk enough – such a unique, wonderful experience.
My final piece of research was spending some time at Alpacaly Ever After’s base camp near Penrith where I spoke to one of the founders, Emma (pure coincidence that my main character has the same name!), about how the business came about and the highs and lows they’ve experienced since running it. I also met her partner, Terry, whose ‘Big Idea’ triggered the whole set-up. What an inspirational couple they are!
Last month, I had a final visit to record my publication day video Dave, Odin and brothers Howard and Ziggy. I say final but the truth is I can’t keep away! I’m absolutely smitten with these gorgeous creatures. Next time I’m in the Lakes, I’ll be booking onto another walk.
What Alpacaly Ever After do is incredible. It’s not just the rescuing of the alpacas and llamas or thewonderful experiences they make available. What’s really special about this business is the social enterprise element. They’re not-for-profit and the money they make is ploughed back into providing opportunities for individuals who wouldn’t have the funds to access experiences like this as well as “an opportunity to connect with nature in a way that contributes to their wellbeing”. They’re my ‘charity’ of the year and my donation will fund many experiences for the community groups they support.
You can read more about Alpacaly Ever After here:
Big alpaca hugs
Jessica xx