Loaded our two pregnant alpaca girls and started to head south. One small detour to Dean and Dorothy Otten to collect four barn cats...we don't have a big problem with mice but it would be good to have the cats keeping an eye on everything.

All arrive safely back at Mulberry by about 3.00pm so a very swift 6 1/2 hours from leaving Pucara.

The girls appear to fit straight in with the rest of the alpaca herd almost as though they had never been away quite amazing really. I know we should keep them apart for 30 days but standards at so high at Jude and Al's place I have no concern about putting them back with the main herd. Heart over head maybe but I usually follow my instincts rather than a rule book on these issues.

The cats disappear into the hay and I will let you know if they ever emerge!!

The rain I found in Portland appears to have followed me home and the fields and alpacas all look very wet and bedraggled.

By Adrian Stewart