Preparing the Seeds of the New at the Heart of AN!
This has been such a busy time that it’s been deeply challenging to keep up to date on our Photo Journeys.
During the second half of September, we worked on our canal system, created a wading pool for the alpacas, removed stones from the grass around the Tower of AN and prepared the dirt in our veggie garden. We also dealt with some urgent health issues and I wrote as much as I could on my new book. At the end of September, we planted our first seeds in a friend’s greenhouse.
Six of our Alpaca crias were returned to Pedro’s herd. It was a bit sad to see them go, but we also knew that we had too many alpacas for our existing grass. We are also very happy that they have now reunited with their Mothers. This leaves nine Alpacas here with us, which is still a lot, so in a few weeks we may return 2 or 3 more. Then next winter when it is cold, we will rescue some more babies.
Here is our Photo Journey of September 19 – October 4.
- German and his crew finish the Alpaca Pool and water canal system.
- On September 22, Emanaku returned six crias to Pedro’s herd in Yanamayo. Percy caught them and put them into the car.
- We were very sad to see them go, but we were running out of grass here and knew it was time for them to return to their families.
- Pedro and his family took them back to their herd.
- The six crias slowly approach the outer fringe of Pedro’s herd.
- They quickly made friends with their old herd. And Pedro said that they had all found their Mothers and were happy to be reunited.
- The six crias are bringing the AN energy into Pedro’s herd.
- Shortly afterwards, while Emanaku was driving back by himself, La Perla got a flat tire.
- The Full Moon on September 24 was a strong and mysterious one.
- The Alpacas of AN! These are the ones who stayed with us for now. From left to right: Shii’pi, Chaska, No’e, Tui, Tawani, Misk’i, Khuyuq, Nima and Sisu.
- Cachorro is in full herd dog mode as the Alpacas of AN emerge from their house in the morning.
- The naughty Alpacas of AN chomping away at the flowers around the entrance to the AN•Chakana. We have now fenced in our flowers until the grass grows tall again.
- Here’s what the entrance to the AN•Chakana looks like now, after the Alpacas devastated the flowers there. We will have to get some new flowers soon.
- The very popular Alpaca Pool in action! Nima loves it the most.
- On hot days, the Alpaca Pool is well loved. Everyone likes to cool off in their new spa.
- We heard that some Alpacas like baby carrots as treats. Ours were even organic! You can see how much interest they had in their carrots.
- Cachorro stays in his hilltop house ~ Cachorro•Wasi ~ on a rainy day.
- At the end of September, we went to a friend’s house in Calca and planted our first seeds for our vegetable garden! (The greenhouse is in the back.)
- Emanaku lovingly put our seeds into the plant trays. We planted several varieties of herbs and veggies, but will plant some more in a few weeks.
- Our new seed trays went into Michael’s greenhouse to germinate. Of course, now we want to build a small greenhouse behind our garden and get lots more seeds.
- For the past week, Rosmel has been laboriously removing the stones from the grassy area around the Tower of AN. This will make it smoother to sit on and allow the grass to grow better. Plus, we will be able to use the stones in another project!
- At the beginning of October, we let the Alpacas of AN into the area around our vegetable garden.
- Pedro spent several days sifting and preparing the dirt in our garden so it will be ready for the arrival of seeds!
- The dirt in the garden is starting to look good. The garden fence is going up today and we will be planting in a few days!
- The Alpacas LOVE the luscious new grass!