When Alan Parks and his wife decided to change their life they went further than most: they decided to move to Spain to raise Alpacas. This is the first year of their farm, from telling their disbelieving children and buying the farm in Spain, to the difficulties of raising Alpacas in an area where the vets have never heard of one, far less seen one.

It is an enjoyable holiday read, with no glaring spelling or grammar errors to take you out of the story, and you really feel for the Parks and their growing menagerie of animals. Sometime hilarious, sometimes heart-breaking this memoir is a fascinating read, and sequels are available for readers who want to know what happens next.

Definitely one to read on the beach – or the plane!

Rating 4