A quick fix solution for our how-to-feed-the-alpacas-but-not-the-sheep conundrum: David attached two strips of wood to the inside of the field shelter and Jack hung the newly washed truggs over the edge. As Saturn is so beautifully demonstrating, this is a perfect height for the alpacas to feed from but alas, the sheep cannot reach!!! When we first tested the new system out, we fed the sheep via their truggs anyway (on the ground) - to distract them - and eventually, after lots of jug rattling and some really obvious pouring of alpaca pellets into the truggs, (from a great height for a full visual and auditory effect), the alpacas worked out what we were trying to do!!!
Meanwhile, Operation Woodchip has resumed as we try to sort out the access in and out of the Cow Pad and also in and out of the 4-acre field road gate where we have resurrected some old compost bins and are emptying the cow poo each day. The mud has been winning this one and as such Jack spent the afternoon loading up lots of stones, rocks and slate to try to create a bit of a hardcore surface BEFORE then putting woodchip on top. The fear was that woodchip only would disappear within a few hours, such is the level of mud oozing from the various tyre tracks and ruts.
The sheep really helped, NOT, by running in and out of the gateways every time there was an opportunity. At one point Muckle went so far into the hedge between us and the road, we thought she might emerge the other side. Little monkey!!