Visit to Auld Mill Alpacas

It's not often that we are out and about so yesterday was a real treat for us.  Carol and John of Auld Mill Alpacas (www.auldmillalpacas.co.uk) organised an 'alpacas at home' get-together for alpaca addicts at their farm near Elgin, Moray.  Above, and from the left, are Angie and Ian (who have 6 boys and girls), Carole and John (at the rear), Liz at the front who has had alpacas for 10 years (currently 4 boys), Sandy and Lorna (rear) Ardo Alpacas (hundreds of mixed camelids!!), me at the front then Finlay with his mum Lucy of Coire Alpacas ( lots of pacas! ) Carole and John previously owned Cairndinnis Alpacas before moving to Moray and changing the herd name.  They currently have a mixed herd of 35 pacas, plus around 15 on holiday from Campsie Alpacas in Stirlingshire!  Absent from the picture are Sorcha (Lucy's daughter), Bill (John's brother) and Robbie who took the photo.   Carole and Lorna are secretary/treasurer and Chair respectively of the Alpaca Farmers of Scotland regional group of BAS.   There was a reluctance to move out of Carole's lovely warm kitchen, away from the coffee and table loaded with goodies and out into the chilly breeze of the paddocks. 

Carole identifying some of her herd to Sorcha and the rest of the group

The lovely Eartha at the front and mum-to-be behind (sorry Carole - forgotten her name!)

This is Salome who has a beautiful face.

Some of the young girls acting a bit coy!

This is young Archie with the mottled fleece and distinctive face markings with his two pals and in front of their 5 star accommodation.  Carole and John have done a power of work at the farm since their arrival fencing all of their paddocks and having field shelters built - this is a great alpaca venue and will be wonderful when all of their plans are fulfilled.   Thanks Carole, John and Bill for a great afternoon seeing all the beasties and enjoying your warm hospitality.

And finally...........just before setting off for our farm visit yesterday a cheeky red squirrel appeared at our back door and was looking in through the conservatory.  This was unusual because our cat,  Pansy Potter was outside too and this shot shows her looking at the squirrel who is helping himself/herself to the bird nuts on one of the feeders (you might need to magnify this picture).  Shortly afterwards the squirrel dropped from the feeder and ran off, followed for a short distance by Pansy, who in her advancing years prefers to watch the action rather than take part in it!