Sunrise in the frost.

Apple Vale Florina-  dam: Apple Vale Bramley, sire: Van Diemen Qjori of Patou

Not a good start to the day, as the cat had died ovenight - she was showing signs of her age, so it wasn't unexpected, and she wasn't a pet, but a feral cat we had adopted from Cat Protection, and she had sole rights to the summerhouse for six years, so now we can reclaim it, although the window fell out on thursday, so she obviously hadn't been carrying out maintenance in accordance with her tenancy...

dessicated coconut cap, or frost?

We've made some entries to the British Alpaca Futurity Show at the end of March, and arranged the accommodation, so very excited about that.

With weaning begun two weeks ago, we started halter training last week, and yesterday led them down the 'avenue' where they could enjoy fresh grass, and they all took to it very well (bribery often helps). With diminishing grass, and the frequent showers, the paddocks have deteriorated, and so it's taking a vigilant eye, and timely moving to minimise damage and mud - the alpacas are certainly in 'paddock condition' - the frosts of the last week have brought some relief, and is a good thing for the paddocks in many respects.

We had a lovely Australian couple staying in the B and B studio yesterday , and they were very pleased, leaving this comment amongst their review: " ...Now the alpacas! It will absolutely make your day/week/month/year to get a cuddle from one of them. I didn't want to leave!" The studio is advertised on www.airbnb.co.uk, under 'spacious studio on an alpaca farm', if anyone is interested.

So that's the first post of 2015, and after a month or three of little happening, the alpaca year is truly underway, with mating plans made, and sales strategy discussed.