OUR SMALL HERD

Our original four boys came from Ardo Alpacas in Aberdeenshire. We are not alpaca breeders and have our boys purely as pets. Our experience is that you don't need to be a breeder and that a 'batchelor herd' can give much pleasure to the owner. We have 5 acres including our big garden and grazing for the boys, 15 miles north of Inverness, Scotland. I spin, knit, felt and crochet with the fleece from the boys.

Clicking!!

Just a reminder that clicking on (most) of the photos will show them greatly enlarged.

Saturday 19 June 2010

Valeting time!





Yesterday was a lovely day and in fact by mid afternoon it had got really hot.  Robbie threatened to stampede the animals by putting on his shorts - apologies to all sensitive blog viewers - and give the boys an undercarriage spray.  They love this and I had earlier done the same thing with them.  Fyta is in the foreground with his back feet in the tray.

The boys stand around as they wait their turn to have the spray played on their lower legs and bellies. These are usually caked in mud and sand as they try to cool down.  Left to right are Gaucho, Fidget, Faro, Fyta and Fergus.  Gully still has not succumbed to the temptation of the cold shower, so usually stands watching from the background.   Gaucho has only recently started standing in the water trays but now enjoys being splashed.

The boys move around so that they can get the water on different parts of their undersides.  We don't wet their main fleece, only underneath where the have little fleece and can feel cool.

And finally...........a kiss from Fidget for the boss-man on his bald spot for a job well done!

4 comments:

  1. Lovely photos Shirley...need some tan on those legs though Robbie!

    ReplyDelete
  2. For a tan, you need sun! Yesterday was like the middle of winter again, we had coats and hats on again in the morning. Notice that Debbie had the same weather in Northumberland. Hope yours is better. Take care. Shirley & Robbie

    ReplyDelete
  3. Enjoyed the photo of the boys and Robbie! I liked the shot where Figet was smooching his head! that was cute! ...debbie

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Debbie, Robbie thinks he's found a new cure for baldness - maybe!

    ReplyDelete