This isn’t a story based on Mr Orwell’s famous book, Animal Farm. It’s about the trip out we made when we took the Grandchildren to a small breeds farm and owl centre in lovely Herefordshire. Easter school holidays and we were fortunate to have both Grandchildren stay with us for a few days.
Small Animals
The weather was kind to us this year as the last time we visited was on a bitterly cold day in February. As the name suggests, this is a farm full of small animals such as sheep, goats, ponies and toy horses. This time of year too, there are quite a few young Spring lambs and goats that the children can pet and enjoy.
Food
Another feature, especially for the children, is the provision of small tubs of food pellets that you carry around with you and feed the goats or the sheep as you come across them. Wanting to join in and be a part of the Grandchildren’s gang for the day, both the wife and I carried a small bucket of pellets too. I had no idea what I was in for.
Instructions
There are strict instructions to feed only the goats and sheep and you must place a handful of pellets on the palm of your hand and offer them to the animals. The children were naturals at this and so was the wife, but me, oh my, it was one of those moments where you put your hand out and just before the slobbering mouth of a sheep takes in the pellets, I kept pulling my hand back! It felt like putting your hand in a bowl of jellyfish and waiting for the sting.
Slobber
Of course, it wasn’t anything like that, but when I finally managed to do it, it was still a strange sensation, especially with those animals that have tongues like sandpaper! I’m glad I did it though and it gave the Grandchildren a good laugh. Bit by bit though, I started putting handfuls from my bucket into the children’s buckets without them knowing. I just couldn’t live with the slobber!!
Website
The Small Breeds Animal and Owl Farm has a website and comes highly recommended. Even my Grandson asked if we could return the following day, but, tenpin bowling was already on the agenda.
These are marvellous facilities for children. I’m so with you to the extent that I leave it all to the children 🙂
Thank you, Derrick. A truly wonderful place. 😊
Oh what fun! I’d have enjoyed every second of this.
Thank you, Susan. I did enjoy myself and it was great fun. 😊
lovely read Trev and fun times! 👏👏👏
Thank you, Cindy and definitely fun times. 😊
At least you didn’t get attacked by a goat. The big ones can get pretty crazy about pellets 🙂
That’s right, they can be feisty. Thankfully, these were placid and slobby. Thank you 😊
Nothing quite like a handful of dubious looking slobber!
Sorry for the delay in replying, Peter, I have only just seen this. And yes, there’s nothing like a handful of slobber. Thank you.:)
What a great experience for the Memory Book. 👀🍃💕
Indeed it is, thank you, Gail. 😊
You earned your stripes that day Trev 🙂
I did, thank you, June. 😊
This sounds too slobbery for me, Trev, yuck! 😂
It certainly was, John. Thank you 😊
I am old enough to remember our milk being delivered by horse and cart (in a suburb of Manchester!) and my Mum givin me a crust of bread for the horse. The horse looke ENORMOUS! and I was quite scared but it was very gentle thank goodness and took the bread with its lips which were soft.
I can vaguely recall the horse and cart up in Birmingham. I remember picking its droppings up for the garden. Thank you. 😊
It’s a lovely experience for children. Important too, I think, for them to appreciate other species.
Yes, without a doubt, it helps the children. They asked to go back, but unfortunately we didn’t have enough time. Thank you, Yeti 😊
My takeaway is that for you, tenpin bowling > slobber. I agree!
Thank you, Jim 😊
I’m guessing you might not have grown up in the country or on a farm, lol. It looks like a good time. I don’t remember how old the grandkids are.
You’re right, Herb, I grew up in the city. My grandkids are 11 and 7. Thank you, Herb. 😊
Fun times😂
Indeed they are, thank you, Cheryl 😊
Trev, sounds like a great outing! What’s a little slobber between friends? 🙂
Thank you, Cheryl and it was great even with the slobber. 😊
I am with my granddaughters after 14 years, and it’s taken the grieve away from Len’s passing 😊
Good news, Susie, thank you 😊
The bucket doesn’t look that big in the picture… I am laughing … 🙂
Thank you, Julie. It’s not that big, but big enough 😊
What a great place!
It is indeed. Thank you, Luisa. 😊
My first thought came back to George Orwell’s writings, since I recently read this book.
This was a lovely read.
Thank you, Kajal. 😊
Sounds like the makings of great memories.
Indeed it was. Thank you, Mark 😊
Great to find you again 😁 I have missed your adventures. Sorry about that. Last time that reclining chair had me in. That gave me an anxiety attack. Trust me. No more electric chairs. I gave mine away. Big relief 😂😂🌿🌿🌿😂
I’m glad you found my blog again. Sorry about the recliner, but I am glad all is well again. 😊 Thank you, Kindness.
Looks like lots of fun!
Thank you, Kally and it was great fun. 🙂
Wonderful fun and sweet memories.
Thank you, Holly. Sorry for the delay in replying. 🙂
I fell the same way about dogs. I like dogs, a lot. I like playing with them, petting them, scratching their tummies or behind their ear.
I don’t like being licked and getting slobber all over my hands, legs, arms, or face. My face is the worse.;0(
I agree, I don’t like that at all. Thank you. 😊