Did you know that there is just one of me? .....

I'm ashamed that I haven't blogged for almost a month. A-Shamed!

I've been busy. You've been busy. We've been busy.

In summary (precis; remember that term from school?) here is my abridged version of the month, the 'Reduced Shakespeare Company' version of events here at The Archers at The Larches.

Following the 'shaved the farmer incident' I have since taken my clip (6 fleeces) to the wool board for weighing and payment. It cost more to take it there than I'm getting in dues. Hmmmm.

The alpaca herd are now naked girls (should get me some additional readers!!!) thanks to the best shearer in the world (other shearers are available) Colin Otterly.

We have had a visit from some sexy boy alpacas! and look forward to more healthy cria in 12'ish months' time. However one of our girls totally rejected the male advances and could actually be pregnant already, NOW! It may have been in her tummy before she came to us. Yikes. There could be a babby on the way at any time....... we'll keep you posted.

Lou's Poo, Dried Alpaca Manure sales are going from strength to strength with several more select outlets signing to sell the product. Yay!

TheArchersAtTheLarches.com website is now being supported by Richard Branson's Virgin Start-Up Team (soooo exciting) and Lou is being Branson'ed with 'Remarkable-ness' [Totally clear if you've read Seth Godin's Purple Cow]

The weather is good, the tomatoes are enormous, the sweet pea insane thanks to Lou's Poo, life is occasionally tricky but hey-ho, that's life.


So, what have YOU been up too?

And now we are three.....

Home from swimming and I wondered why Annabel had a crow beneath her...... ! Glasses on Lou, sheesh!

Oh, not a crow, a beautiful baby girl. She has been named Shadow by the 10yo. Great name.

A marvelous picture by the 8yo

I had asked several experienced alpaca breeders what the term for an alpaca birth was. With sheep it's lambing (obviously) and I wondered if there was a special term for alpacas. Rob Bettinson of Toft Alpacas told me that he's heard it called creation, (ha ha) but best of all he's heard it described as unpacking. Lovely.