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 9 March 2014

New field shelter

Following on from last week's blog when part of a new field shelter was delivered,  the remainder arrived on Monday afternoon with two men to build the structure.  On Tuesday the shelter was almost complete apart from finishing off the bottom and giving it a couple of coats of preservative, so the boys were allowed into the paddock to give it the 'once over.'
Fidget, nearest the camera takes a long, hard look at the shelter, probably trying to work out where might be the most comfortable place to lie down.  The shelter also has a store at one end in which we'll store some hay and other 'paca bits and pieces.
Gully was quite happy with the new building but so far he's the only one to have ventured inside for a look.  The boys won't be using it for another week or so by which time they should all have got used to it.  Once their hay buckets go in, they will follow!
The long view taken from the new house.  The field shelter has been given two coats of preservative by 'himself' and will get a third tomorrow so that it does what it says on the tin!
And finally.........the knitting needles have been in action again.  These shawls look small in the photo, but they are quite big.  I recently saw my sister-in-law Sheila wearing a shawl like this which she had knitted so I got the pattern from her and knitted one up from Fergus (bottom) and Jacob of Ardo Alpacas.   The shawls are draped over the shoulders and are really warm.        

4 comments:

  1. Lovely new field shelter....you do know that now its built we will have lovely weather !! The shawls look super very delicate, you have both been very busy ... Jayne

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the shelter. Could I ask who built and supplied it. Hope the boys are enjoying the sunshine. Graham Ruilick Alpacas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Graham & Kirsty, Got it from Framewise, 21 Wells St, Inverness (220882), very reasonable prices, they'll build what you want. Lovely weather, sun bathing time for the boys! Take care. Shirley & Robbie

      Delete
  3. Fantastic shelter - I'm sure the boys will be warm and cosy, as will anyone lucky enough to wear those gorgeous shawls! I wish I could make something as fine as those :) Lisa

    ReplyDelete