Shearing week

I really don't know where this week has gone, my last blog was Monday and Paul is complaining at me - not that I see him offering to do it!

The week has been spent preparing for shearing, this was a major operation as we still have lots of things in the shed that need to find a home either in the house or loft or on freecycle.  Shearing and then looking after lots of rather cold alpacas and preparing for a weekend out and about with the alpacas and our knitwear.

Wednesday was the big day and shortly after 8am James Dixon arrived to shear 55 alpacas.  Also arriving were a number of helpers which is always handy on shearing day.

Here was the first volunteer in Pearson.

Working through the boys first.

The girls were hoping if they formed a blockage and looked the other way they might not have to be sheared. 

 Sorry girls it didn't work!

Ever since shearing it has gone nothing but rain and there has been a cold easterly wind, needless to say the alpacas are not happy to be naked.  The girls have been in the shed ever since with the odd venture out into the yard.

The boys were happy to be out yesterday and last night but tonight were wanting back in, so in they are.  Poor things were shivering, with Tenzing seeming to be feeling it the most.  Mind you he did cut about 4.5kg of fabulous fleece so that would make a huge difference!

Because the girls are in there has been lots of opportunity to make our fire bricks.  Andrew, if you look on the home page of our website at the Countryfile video you will see how I make them.

This weekend we are out with the alpacas and our knitwear so its to be hoped the weather improves.  Tomorrow we are at Otterburn Hall Hotel's garden party and Sunday we are at Kirkley Hall Countryside Event so if you are about do come and say hello.

Mum is on farm duties as we have two very overdue girls in Sienna and Little Miss Irraquoy, neither of whom were encouraged by shearing!