Meet our one year old, Neve now called Neve-Maria for a really good reason. Her mother is feisty Bianca and the crankiest one of the lot but she is my favourite as she keeps everyone in-check! Bianca is my second eldest alpaca and has given us the most wonderful and full-of-personality alpacas over the years.
Usually we have several cria's born at the same time but our mating schedule did not go accordingly to plan so Neve was solely brought up by her serious and stern mother. We do find it so much better to have several cria's born around the same time, so they can buddy-up and get up to mischief together.
The interesting thing about Neve is that she is a very shy, quite and non-pushy alpaca - nothing like her mother! She has never pushed in or spat at feeding time and always kept to herself - a gentle little soul.
On the saddest day of my life, when we received news a family member has passed, I was down at the feed shed and visibly upset. This little alpaca, Neve, walked straight up to me and put her face in my face. She then allowed me to hug her. Alpacas are generally not affectionate creatures but are definitely inquisitive creatures and Neve was one never to be touched, so this was really quite out of character for Neve.
Anyways, after this day, whenever she see's me, she comes up to me and kisses me, sometimes she will cush (sit down) in the paddock and hang out with us mere mortals.
Here is one of my fav photos taken by guests, @arlie4cake of @mellybic hanging out with Neve. Looks like it should be a famous alpaca sweater commercial.
So if you have the chance to stay at the farm, you may also be able to take a photo or three of Neve-Maria my little angel.
This post is lovingly dedicated to Maria-Adele, Naples, Italy, 2018. Bacci!
Photo by @arlie4cake featuring @Mellybic and Neve-Maria, the alpaca.