today was our our village's annual 'golden mile' walk/run. It is a fund-raising event aimed at raising money for the upkeep of the village tennis court/multi-purpose play area. As such a small place we are really lucky to have this facility and it is well used by adults and children alike.
The weather was good and there was a good turn-out. All manner of runners/walkers and plodders were there, both two and four-legged, but we were the only people there with donkeys. No surprise there.
The walk is along a public footpath that crosses a dairy farm and on this occasion the cattle, which are Jerseys were fenced off. We had all four donks with us. I led Jack, who is the only one who wears a proper bridle with a bit in his mouth when they are out because he does have the tendency to be a bit, shall we say, 'over-eager' on occasion, and this gives me a bit more control over him. As soon as he saw the cows in the distance his ears pricked up, as did his pace. He then started braying. He is the loudest donk in the world, so this raised a smile among the other golden milers. This was the first time that the young donks had been along this path, and the first time to my knowledge that they have encountered cows. When I have been along there before the cattle have always come straight over to check out the old donkeys and this time was no exception.
All people and donkeys who completed the walk got a medal, and we all adjourned to the pub for games and a barbecue.
three good things:
Good weather for the walk
Angus survived two consecutive nights of partying
Village life at its best. It was lovely to look across the pub garden and see lots of happy faces and an enormous group of children/teenagers aged from three to seventeen all playing together. The little children living here are so lucky that they are not only tolerated by the teenagers (who coincidentally are all boys), but are really looked out for and entertained by them.
Oooh you are good. I raised some money recently for our local playing field by hosting a cake sale, No running for me, only eating! This is a great shot Jan, cows are just so nosey. I reallyl want to reach out and stroke Jack's lovely soft looking coat.
Love your photo and your narration. Donkeys are great (and I have a soft spot for cows as well). Looks like that one jersey is saying "what kind of animal are you?"
A big fave of course for the donks but especially for the cows & jerseys too ...our cows were jerseys so very special to us!!!
Isn't it lovely living in a village, the very best place to live!,
@jantan Funnily enough I remember reading this article at the time...the Farmers Guardian is the main newspaper in our house & still is.
We had 120 jerseys & 70 followers in the end having changed over gradually from Holsteins. Ours were on an average of 6000. 2 kgs & 6.25 butterfat.
Sounds like they are on the NZ scheme, they block calve like that over there too...must say I did like to see our Jerseys out in the sun though!!
They do look a bit bony but that is normal & everything about feet etc is very true.
VERY true is the no money in it statement, you do it because you love that way of life.
Our two sons went out to NZ for that very reason, they were happy to work for the pleasure but could see no future for the family dairy farm in the UK.
Thank Jan for the info!
Love reading about your donks' exploits. Sounds like a great day. And the image of children of all ages playing/hanging out together is a rather lovely one.
Your village life sounds so idyllic it makes me want to abandon the city. I love Jerseys as well - well the cream in particular! Walking the dog past cows is a piece of cake compared with walking a donkey (or may be not...)
I love your description of your fund-raising walk. Glad you had a good turn out.
It's funny that the cows are so curious about the donkeys, and it looks like Jack is curious right back.
So sweet that the donks received medals too. :-)
I really enjoy reading about your adventures and daily activities. It's SO very different from life in the suburbs of Los Angeles.
Donkeys encountering cows while on a fund-raising walk?
I absolutely love it.
Isn't it lovely living in a village, the very best place to live!,
We had 120 jerseys & 70 followers in the end having changed over gradually from Holsteins. Ours were on an average of 6000. 2 kgs & 6.25 butterfat.
Sounds like they are on the NZ scheme, they block calve like that over there too...must say I did like to see our Jerseys out in the sun though!!
They do look a bit bony but that is normal & everything about feet etc is very true.
VERY true is the no money in it statement, you do it because you love that way of life.
Our two sons went out to NZ for that very reason, they were happy to work for the pleasure but could see no future for the family dairy farm in the UK.
Thank Jan for the info!
It's funny that the cows are so curious about the donkeys, and it looks like Jack is curious right back.
So sweet that the donks received medals too. :-)
I really enjoy reading about your adventures and daily activities. It's SO very different from life in the suburbs of Los Angeles.
Donkeys encountering cows while on a fund-raising walk?
I absolutely love it.