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 27 July 2014

Gathering winter fuel!

At the end of a glorious run of sunny days, this was the scene on Friday as we went with the trailer  to nearby alpaca owners Dave and Karen's hay fields at Beauly for the annual uplift.  The temperature was around 30 degrees and Dave had the hay baling machines working flat out on round and 'square' bales.
One down - 59 to go!  Actually this was our second journey so we were on bale number 50 when this was taken - little wonder the old boy looks a bit fatigued!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch the boys are enjoying the excitement of the arrival of the mobile canteen.
"This is mine!"  Looks like Gully has got his supper sorted out then!
Fergus (front) and Faro surveying the scene.  This week, on the vet's advice we've started Faro on a  daily course of subcutaneous antibiotics which will continue for 10 days.  All tests so far have been negative and his faeces appear to be more formed.  Fingers crossed.
A long range shot of the boys on the right taking a lot of interest in a number of Highland cows in the field on the left of the picture.  There are a number of calves behind the trees with their mothers and two very noisy bulls also in the field so plenty of activity to keep the nosy boys occupied!  A little magnification might help with this picture.
And finally............all the sunny weather has helped to produce a reasonable onion crop again this year.  These grew on for a bit but were then lifted and are now drying out under cover.  A good decision as it is pouring with rain today.

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