Visit to Seafield Alpacas

The highlight of the week has been a visit today to Seafield Alpacas at Portmahomack, near Tain in Easter Ross.  Alison and Brendan invited us together with Wendy and Paul of Woodleigh Lodge Alpacas and Graham and Kirsty with children Dylan and Bethany of Ruilick Alpacas, to have a 'pacaday' at their croft.  Here are Alison and Brendan's four boys, from the left Chocolate, Wee Eck, Merlin and Gully and all were looking in fine form.

This is Merlin, looking cuddly with plenty of bits of twigs etc as adornments! Carrots were on offer from Alison and all the boys enjoyed crunching their way through them.

And this is Chocolate who is Merlin's big pal.  He is a lovely colour - chocolately! As the day wore on both boys got involved in a bit of neck wrestling and fun.

Graham and Kirsty with Bethany and Dylan coaxing Merlin closer to the fence.

Almost there - Merlin did eventually get close enough to touch Bethany's hand.

This has been a cold, wet and windy week and today was no different.  As the day wore on the wind seemed to get colder so coats and hats were called for!

Apart from alpacas, ducks, chickens and dogs to look after Brendan and Alison also have a working railway in their garden. Much to the delight of the children (and the men present!), Brendan fired up his steam driven locomotive to do several circuits of the track.  We all had a lovely day at Portmahomack, thanks for a lovely lunch folks and an opportunity to just talk alpaca and see your boys.

And finally.............I mentioned some time ago the covey of red-legged partridges that visit us regularly.   Earlier this week they momentarily lost their shyness and these four appeared on the patio.  Unfortunately the camera flash has picked up reflections from within the room but the birds are plain to see.  The boys are in the paddock near the field shelter in the distance.