Faro, hats and logs!

Faro - one of our original 4 boys and the 'sentry' for the herd who gave us a scare yesterday.   A couple of hours after this shot was taken I found him 'cushed' on his own in a paddock quite a way from the rest of the boys.  I approached and he stayed down, something he would not normally do, he is always the first animal on his feet as soon as anyone approaches.   Robbie approached and he still stayed down, groaned then  he spat!  We'd never encountered this behaviour with Faro so there was obviously something wrong.  We contacted the vet but before she arrived Faro was up on his feet.   We penned them and the vet checked Faro and we all concluded that he may have a Selenium deficiency - he is a very 'picky' eater, often doesn't finish his supplement bowl and we've previously felt the need to give him vitamin gel.  The vet gave him B12 and Selenium/mineral injections and he was fine after that.  He is much more like his normal self today but we'll continue to keep a close eye on him. 

Rufus waiting for the gate to open to get into the other paddock.  He has a lovely face.   Gully, Fidget and Gaucho are in the background.

Also wanting fresh grass is Fergus, waiting patiently for the gate to be opened with Faro at his side.

An innocent looking Gully but who still loves to have a 'rough and tumble' with his pal Gaucho.

The boys are unconcerned as the massive crane hoists the roof trusses onto the garage on the  new house site.  They often stand watching all the activity on the site then get fed up and return to their favourite view - the grass!

Meanwhile, up on the scaffolding and building the garage are joiners Kevin (left) and Lewis sporting their alpaca hats with the boys in the background behind them.  Kevin is wearing Rufus and Fergus and Lewis is wearing Gaucho and Gully.  With all the joiners and builders wearing their hats which I've knitted for them, they must have the warmest heads in the north!  Photo-call is over guys, back to work now!

Earlier in the week Robbie and I gave a talk about all things alpaca to 32 members of the  Highland Branch of the National Health Service Retirement Fellowship at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness.  It was an opportunity for me to catch up with old nursing colleagues and for both of us to meet old friends.  The talk went very well and we were able to show a variety of knitted and felted items.

And finally...........you can tell what 'himself' has been up to all week with the chain saw and log splitting axe.  This is the soft wood pile and there is another 'hard wood' pile in the steading.  The only problem with the logs sharing a shelter with the 'pacas is that in the morning we find logs strewn all over the floor!