Well, the snow arrived yesterday, and we are all adjusting to a slightly different daily life.
For the alpacas it means there is no grass, but hey, there’s always hay! And alfalfa … and peas … and speedybeet … and the hedge. Nevertheless, they still miss the grass.
For me it means providing the above foodstuffs in the right order and at the right time, (not that the alpacas are fussy about that, but I am), and marching about with a hammer looking purposeful. That’s not unusual of course, but instead of looking for a nail to hit, I’m out bashing the ice so there is something to drink (they drink more when they’re eating more hay). Poo patrol happens more frequently – once frozen it is very hard to get up.
For Gwen, the snow is nothing but good news. More traipsing about following me, lots of charging around trying to find buried sticks and throwing up as much snow as possible, and it’s easier keeping tabs on the alpacas as they don’t go so far afield.
Caerthan looks after the fire, and Herbert sits in front of it!
One very big difference to earlier in the year is that we (alpacas, humans and dog and cat) can now get to and from the field without risking life and limb on the Icy Slope – there are steps from the Secret Garden! We do still have to traverse the Icy Slope to get to the Secret Garden, of course, but that’s not quite as perilous.
It took a lot of time and effort back in the summer, and money that we could scarce afford, but right now we are seeing just how worthwhile that was. The alpacas are enjoying easy access to the warmth, comfort and endless hay in the barn, and that means we’re all sleeping well at night.
So at Pistyll Gwyn we’re reasonably prepared, but I’m a bit saddened that we didn’t make it to Brecon today for my dad’s 80th. Cars are sliding about on Talog Hill …
It is very satisfying to do summer work, and reap its rewards in the winter:) Everyone sounds like they will be able to go and do what they want, much safer and easier! Very sorry you missed your dad’s birthday.
Dad’s birthday – yes, that was a bit painful, but there is a big family do next weekend, so that’ll make up for it.
Summer work / winter rewards – absolutely! It was good in the summer, but sheer magic the other day. We’re not quite out of the woods here yet in terms of accessibility, but by next winter we will be (he says determinedly)!
I can just imagine Silky (that is Silky poking his head round the corner, right?) saying “Waiter – the canapés please!”
Stay safe down there. It’s mostly cleared up here in Aberystwyth, but there’s still patches of ice in those spots that the sun never gets to.
That is wonderful you will be able to see your dad at the weekend gathering:)
Yes, saying things determinedly, help to manifest our hopes and intentions!!
Gosh, they look absolutely beautiful huddled together in their inner quarters, really cuddly in fact. Do alpacas have seasonal coats or do they stay the same all year round?
@Natalie
Beautiful they are, although they prefer to keep their distance, so whilst they are easy to handle they’re not too keen on cuddling, at least by humans.
The fleece isn’t seasonal – it’s shorn early summer and then just grows until the next shearing, getting heavier when the weather is colder.
The colour stays the same all year round apart from when they have been rolling around in the dust of course!