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.

Sunday 25 August 2013

Visit and visitors

Early in the week we paid a visit to Wendy Churcher at Wood Leigh Lodge Alpacas on the Black Isle, near Inverness.  Husband Paul was at work but Wendy did a great job in showing us her small herd which she has recently brought up from the south of England.  We are with 14 month old 'Baby' in this photo.
This is the lovely mum-to-be Prudence who is due to give birth any day now and that will be a very exciting time for Wendy & Paul.  It's a paddling pool in the background by the way - not a birthing pool!
And this is 13 years old Snow King in all his glory.  A lovely fella and slightly nervous as he adjusts to his northern surroundings (he's probably struggling with the Invernessian accents!)  Thanks for a lovely visit Wendy, hope Robbie managed to leave enough cake for Paul on his return!
We had a flying visit yesterday from Lorna and Sandy of Ardo Alpacas in Aberdeenshire as they were in this area delivering some 'pacas to a new owner family (more about that in a future blog.)  All of our boys came from Ardo and the routine is always the same when Lorna visits - plenty of snogging with the animals - especially the four older boys who spent the first year of their lives at Ardo before coming here.  They seem to recognise Lorna's voice and are not shy in coming close as they can be with other visitors. Faro getting up close and personal with Lorna here!
Wee Eck is checking Lorna out here and even with Sandy standing close-by, the boys are not inclined to move away. Fidget (1st left, rear) usually keeps well back from visitors but we've noticed that when Lorna and Sandy are around he comes in close.  Nice to see you folks, make it a longer stay next time please so that we can have a proper blether!
And with the visitors gone, the boys have a tete-a-tete about the visit.  From the left Fidget, Fyta, Wee Eck and Gully who reckoned they should get some fresh hay for being good boys!
And finally......... you've all seen the pictures of the three flying ducks, famous in various Coronation Street living rooms - well, here are the three lying alpacas doing their imitation!  Couldn't resist this photo taken this afternoon in the warm sunshine and just after feed time.  Bless!

5 comments:

  1. It's lovely that the boys still remember their previous owners. The "flying ducks" look great...tired out after all their visitors!

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  2. Yes, interesting to notice evidence of they're memory capability.

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  3. Great photo...flying alpacas? Maybe a business opportunity there!

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  4. Just LOVE that last photo Shirley!! I keep going back to look at it :D They look just knackered...just so tired out from the visitors LOL :) Lisa

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  5. Just caught up with all your going on. How is Fegus ? Did you get that eye resolved ?

    We have also noticed a long term recognition. Our guys know Barbra and Paul hen they visit and Fin will prance about when men visit the paddock - but not if they have been introduced previously !

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