An apple, a visitor and a Pike.

"What are you doing in my paddock?" seems to be the question that Faro wants to ask here.  The other three boys are completely unconcerned when they hear the sound of an engine but Faro needs to check it out!

He's spotted the tractor mower arriving so thinks it's time to accompany it around the paddock!  The growth of the grass has slowed considerably now but we have to do additional cuts of their toileting areas - all that nitrogen makes the grass grow rapidly there!

We had a visit from Betty, one of our neighbours earlier in the week so the boys got to enjoy an apple straight off a nearby tree whilst she was here.

Three of the four apple crunchers - Fergus (left), Fyta and Faro.  Fidget was nearby.  The boys love fruit(apples, berries) as well as their veg(carrots, swedes) so they are getting their 'five a day' at present!   Plenty of windswept top knots this week too.

This is a normal Fidget trick - whilst three of the boys lie down with their faces into the stiff breeze today, Fidget faces in the opposite direction.  He's lacking in social skills that boy!

On Friday, a neighbour's cat, 'Pike' (a Dad's Army fan!) spent most of the day in this position, perched above the rabbit hole waiting for a bunny to emerge. We don't know how long he stayed there on Friday but on Saturday morning he was waiting once again - until the heavy rain started that is!

And finally.............the lovely apples which the boys were sampling earlier in the week.  This is variety 'Katy' - and they taste delicious!

Sunshine and the Cavalry!

Looking out from the inside of the field shelter for a change.  The boys enjoy lying in the shelter looking out at the world passing by on the road!  Faro is eating his hay whilst Fyta and Fergus are outside, with Fidget around the corner

We've enjoyed some sun and rain this week but not nearly so dramatic as in some parts of the UK.  'Slim boys' Fergus (left) and Fidget enjoying the sun here.

And close by are the other two pals, Faro (left) and Fyta.  Regardless of the fact that alpacas have soft, padded feet they don't seem to mind walking over stones and rocks.  In fact they often seem to enjoy lying on hard, lumpy surfaces like this.

Fyta seems to be saying, "Bet you won't print this shot on your blog, Mum!"

The boys walking uphill to the field shelters.  Note the size of the Gunnera plant on the right of the picture - it's had a great summer capturing all the rain and sun in it's big leaves.

Adding a splash of colour around the garden at present are these Nerines with their delicate flower heads.

And finally..............we had a lovely surprise this afternoon when neighbours Danni and Julia arrived riding Eric and Mr Blue, with mum Kerry.  Great to see the Cavalry arriving in the car park!

A windy old week!

A head shot of Faro to start with.  Not normally one to enjoy having his photo taken, he was OK this time.

Fergus - no problems with posing for photos.  If he could write he would willingly sign autographs too!

Although it's been sunny most days it has also been very windy for most of the week.  Flying leaves are always an attraction for the boys who eat them.  We got rid of all our Rhododendrons years ago because we were scared that wind borne leaves could poison the boys.

A favourite at present are the raspberry leaves being blown off the nearby canes and Fyta left and Fidget enjoy chasing and eating them. This has been the monthly Verm-X granule treatment this week so the boys are keen to get a taste of anything else!

However, if Fidget thinks that Fyta has picked up and eaten a leaf which is rightfully Fidget's then he will resort to sticking his neck out and making grunting, camel noises at Fyta.  You'll notice that Fyta is well used to Fidget's bad manners and turns his head in case a spit is coming in his direction!

The boys like to lie down when it gets very windy, and like this, face away from the prevailing wind.  Fidget is in front.

And finally...............the Grumpy Gardener has been hard at it this week moving raspberry canes from a rabbit-prone area of the land into the rabbit-proofed garden.  This shot from the house looking down on the garden shows that it is slowly filling out and we can't believe the difference after land drainage from a year ago when this area was a complete bog.  Note the lonely House Martin at the top of the photo, one of the last few remaining before flying south to the sun.

Making a splash.

The eyes have it - Faro watching the approaching human from the other side of the gate and not impressed about having his photo taken!

A lovely morning and Faro is fully alert, ears up, tail up - whilst Fyta and Fergus look like they are having a conversation.

Taken from another angle.  The boys normally don't lie so close to each other unless they are in their shelter.  Fidget is on his own, top right of the picture.

Here he is doing his 'Lonesome Dove' impression.  It's just his nature, he's very much part of the herd but likes to keep himself apart - and last to do anything, just following the others.

The next three photos were taken this afternoon with Fyta deciding that he wanted a quick splash in the water tray.

"Ah, that's better Mum, you've hit the spot!" - he gets his undercarriage and important bits splashed, and loves this.

The other three boys are totally unimpressed by the attention which Fyta is receiving!  It's been a week of good weather and we've used the hose to spray them underneath a couple of times when they want it.

And finally....................the Sunflowers are beginning to put in an appearance.  Only two flowers have emerged so far, both are of this yellow/lemon colour and the four plants are standing at over 6 feet tall.