The donkeys were out yesterday taking the children for rides.
Quite a steady queue but not much value for money, if I had been riding that donkey I would have wanted to go a little further.
The dog is the one that was running all over the place !
Three good things:
1. Jack rang us today from Sheffield...it was lovely to,hear how he was enjoying university life....he is taking full advantage of everything he can join. Has booked the piano for one hour a week! That's all he could have it for.
2. Lovely comments & faves on my squiggles photo.......thank you all so much for still following me.
3. I haven't eaten much today....trying to be sensible & not eating chocolate! Steak & onions tonight for our meal so can really tuck in....plus nice chilled glass of wine!
@fueast I think you could be right Alison but I did think these looked remarkably well turned out. One think I do think is good these days are the welfare of animals such as these. When you think of the grotty spaces these donkeys used to sleep in during the season...I'm sure things have improved no end!
A beautiful sight -- The donkeys with their blankets provide a welcoming pop of colour on quite a deserted beach Surely it is the end of their season, time for them to have their well deserved rest I should think ! At least the donks are not perturbed by the run-away dog !! A well balanced composition Pat --and a fav for me !
I like the donkeys 'going-out gear'. Jinks does not like that type of dog ever since two on the loose had a stand-off with him on the lead! Picture postcard shot.
This photo has a lovely look about it - nice and clear and calm. Your settings must be just right! Fav from me. Nice to see this energetic dog - I expect he is quite safe and not going to run out on to the road!
@fueast@happypat I don't suppose I need to tell you how much I love this Pat! Wonderful pic. Beach donkeys these days are very very closely regulated and checked up upon - lots of rules about work hours, rest periods, weights of customers etc. In fact I used to go on a forum, (yes there are donkey forums) where one of the members was a Yorkshire beach donk operator. They were rested all winter, often going to stay with families who took them in, and had warm showers to get them cleaned up when they went back to work. I reckon they must get much more mental stimulation on the beach than my donks do too. Mine aren't too badly off, but a lot of people just keep them as field ornaments.
@jantan so interesting to hear this Jan....I expected that conditions for these donkeys are much improved over the years. I remember watching a sad little group of donkeys trailing back to their makeshift 'digs' during the summer season they always looked sad I tought. These ones looked well & happy & very smart as you can see. Only this one group on the beach so less of them so they can be cared for better. I'm sure your donks are very happy but perhaps might like a little attention all the time on the beach now & again! Glad these rules are in place !
This scene takes me back. I remember going for donkey rides at Blackpool when I was a child. How long does the ride take? I went on a camel ride when Deb and the kids were here at Birubi Beach and the camel trek is through the sand dunes. We get about a half an hour ride here, so not too bad. Will and Archie thought it was brilliant.
Thanks for the fab photo and all the comments. I have learnt so much about donkey rides on the beach. Great photo. All there is here is shetland pony rides at the lakefront. Not quite the same
This is a great scene Pat. I love the pier in the background;the lone figure by the water; the exuberance of the dog and the pop of colour from the donkey's trappings. Takes me back too to childhood days at the seaside.
I was wondering if the short ride was a welfare thing or a money thing. Lovely yellow coat! Better life for these than some you see working in hot countries.
