Gettin' Outside

We had a couple of round hay bales delivered and strategically placed in the pastures. The critters are enjoying nibbling away at them and it encourages the animals to get outside.

At first they were only curious about what these incredible structures were but once I peeled away a layer of hay they were right at it.

School days

This year's crop of cria seem to be particularly smart, they have learned to stand quietly while tied after only three lessons.

We are now working on manners; inspecting fibre, lifting feet, and checking teeth and under tails. These activities take a bit more convincing. Little Barolo makes all kinds of interesting camel noises in protest.

First Yarn

Well, I have started to learn to spin and what a hoot. Spinning takes a sense of rhythm and timing along with manual dexterity and coordination. All of which I do not possess.

Anyway I got through 3 skeins of hand dyed alpaca rovings...you can see the results.

My teacher is appalled to hear that I intend to sell my first efforts. Apparently first yarn is rare because the textures disappear as a spinner improves.

As I don't knit, I'm willing to let a knitter have the fun.

Yahoo! New doors.

Wonderful thanks to the guys who had a direct hand in our new doors.

Ted was instrumental in repairing the doors that took flight in the wind storm, installing new track and re-hanging them.

Don installed a man door in the front of the barn, alleviating the need to struggle of opening the big sliding doors each time we want to get into the barn.

As soon as warm weather arrives the paint brushes will be busy....

Kindergarten starts again

With weaning complete, school starts again for the cria at Rocaro Alpacas.

Step one is catching each cria and introducing them to their new best friend the halter. If you are familiar with horse halters, cria halters are miniscule in comparison.

Most of the kids took well to the halters; Bartholomew made all kinds of noise and Bacio was none to patient while I found the buckle hole in all her fibre.

They were quick to run outside into the sun as soon as they were "dressed". The halters will stay on for a few days and then lead training begins.