Hi there Llama Llovers!

Welcome to Lakeland Llama Treks Newsletter. We hope you have had chance to go onto our wacky website and that the ‘Llama Song' has not driven everybody crazy! The story so far………….Lakeland Llamas have been causing a stir in one of England’s top holiday spots - The Lake District for the best part of a year now. 

The Llamas must be the most photographed animals in the Lake District at the moment and absolutely love posing for the cameras. 

When encountering our ‘trek’, most people do a double take whilst uttering a common theme.. ’Those are big sheep’, ‘I knew I shouldn’t have had that last drink’, ‘You don’t expect to see those on a country stroll around the lake’, ‘My goodness where have they come from? (The stock answer being Peru!).

The Llamas have had a fantastic welcome and brightened the day for many people. It has been great to see so many people  - both trekkers and spectators getting so much pleasure (and exercise) from trekking with Llamas.

We are adding new trail heads to the programme all the time and are keen to hear from anyone if they have a favourite walk that is people and llama friendly in and around the North Lakes area. We have had some excellent publicity from the treks with live interviews as far away as Tel Aviv, Australia, America, Afghanistan (World Service), Ireland as well as local and National Press. We feature strongly in the ‘Go Lakes’ website and have had super articles in the local press, Cumbria Magazine and Women’s Weekly.

Anyone with a memorable moment, amusing story or an interesting account of a trek with or without photos would be very welcome for publishing in the next Newsletter or on our Website.

The Llamas have been asked to do some fun things this year  - one of our more interesting moments was attending the wedding reception of a Radio Presenter as a complete surprise for his llama mad bride.  The llamas arrived complete with wedding attire – Phil wore his giant dickie-bow whilst Chile looked ever demure in her white wedding gown (A la lace curtain) completed with a bright pink edible looking rose!

I’m afraid to say that the llamas were more photographed than the happy couple but the bride didn’t mind at all.  Her parting words to us all were ‘You really made my special day something I will never forget’ – We hope it was for the right reasons!
 

Santa’s Reindeer are not the only four footed friends to accompany him at Christmas. 

The Alternative Rudolph Treks, with highly sought after Santa, the elves and his long necked reindeer in costume were spotted amongst the woodlands of Rivington, Lancashire and the shores of Derwentwater, Cumbria for the ‘Hot Mulled Wine and Mince Pie Treks’ in December. 

These shorter treks were ideal for children and this coming year we will be offering the same fantastic experience from the same Rivington & Derwentwater locations.

Visit our website to to download a booking form!

Our most travelled trekkers to date have been Jon and Sara Stonbely from down town New York. 

They travelled to Keswick to specifically experience a Trek with our Llamas and when asked how they found out about us, they said an advertisement in the New York Subway Newspaper! 

How on earth it got there we still don’t know but Jon and Sarah were adamant their trek exceeded their expectations and was well worth the journey. 

New Kids on the Block

The Team is ever growing due to the demand for Corporate Team Building Treks, Country Hotels providing unique activities for their guests and the sheer enjoyment we have in introducing more and more people to the addictive pastime of walking with llamas.

Our Llamas have delightful personalities and it is very amusing to see how attached people get to ‘their’ Llama during the trek….”One more kiss before I go” is a common parting comment when trekkers are finally prised from their new found friend.  (Mainly from the ladies I hasten to add).

We now have four new additions to the Team – Mr T, Pixie, Aztec, Inca and Barney.  They are all experienced trekking llamas and have come to join our little family from Suffolk. 

They have completely individual characters and I am sure will soon be rivalling the others for popularity.  Visit our website for a first hand glimpse of all our llamas.

Arriba!! Carnival Time.

The Llamas were a big hit at the Whitehaven Carnival held in July this year.  A large crowd gathered around our stand in anticipation, waiting to see for real the rest of the body that belonged to the banana shaped ears poking out of the horsebox……Er Llama box.

The Llamas had a wonderful time all afternoon being petted and photographed by a continuous but respectful crowd and we decided that although we were due to join in the carnival procession at 1pm with William and Bilby our lead llamas, we thought we may get lynched if we moved from our stand so we stayed put under the shade of a large tree.

The Carnival run by Whitehaven Lions, is produced every year to raise money for charities and good causes and given the sunshine and crowds that day, we feel sure that it would have record attendance. 

What started off to be a bit of tongue in cheek fun has surprised us all by the response.  Speed Dating with Llamas as a concept could really work – the relaxed atmosphere, the fun, like minded people up for a laugh makes all the ingredients for a social encounter that could lead to a friendship. We have had loads of enquiries from ladies of all ages keen to try a different way to meet a new man but the fellas have let the side down!

Only a couple of likely lads have put their names forward for this great concept for an outdoor ‘contact’ sport and you are really missing out boys. So come on, get in touch and lets arrange our first outing – no strings attached except the ones holding the llamas!  We aim to compile a confidential database to mix and match age, interests and location.  Please download an Application Form from our website.

During the summer months, the picnic treks are very popular and we aim to provide good quality and organic fayre where possible. 

Local produce is used to support the local economy and Cumbrian foods have a wonderful variety and freshness that makes all the difference.

If you have a favourite picnic recipe (Which is fairly transportable) we would love to hear from you and perhaps we could incorporate it into our menu.

We always trek all year round…the old saying goes…there’s no such thing as bad weather….just wrong clothes. So what are you waiting for …don those walking boots and water proofs and join us for a bracing country trek. We have some exciting new routes for the more adventurous…the terrain around Rydalwater near Windermere is brilliant and definitely reminded the llamas of their native mountains in Peru when we explored with a team of managers on a corporate trek in late summer this year.

The views are stunning and the lakeside walk beautiful. Definitely an ‘off roader’ and not one for the faint hearted but easily done if you are used to walking in the hills.

Our feedback has shown that some previous clients are keen to try a more challenging route next time so this can very definitely be accommodated with this all day trek.

We also plan to offer overnight camping trips next summer so anyone interested should get in touch so we can discuss routes and requirements and maybe do our first 2 day trek!

Christmas time will see the reindeers (sorry Llamas) out in costume again and we plan some short one hour treks suitable for the children around the shores of Derwentwater on Sundays coming up to Christmas. Hot mulled wine and mince pies will be included as will Santa and his elves!

PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FORTHCOMING TREKS AND EVENTS.