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.

Dylan and Walter, at home in their field shelter, and receiving guests

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.

The Secret Garden is a sheltered area behind the barn. Prior to the alpaca-friendly steps the way down from the field was an icy muddy slide. There was no way up without crampons.

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.

Alpacas in the barn (well ... most of them - Dylan and Walter have to make do with the field shelter)

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 …