Donkey Week Diary; Day Five

Sunday at Donkey Week is always spent at Town Barton Farm, at Tedburn St Mary outside Exeter.

Mule

This farm is unusual in that it houses the biggest number of mules in the Donkey Sanctuary. Luckily, given how fractious mules can be, there is also a large herd of donkey that the Weekers can fuss, cuddle and walk.

The day was the usual mix of donkey walking, grooming, informative talks and trailer rides. In addition to those highlights, Town Barton also turn out their mules onto the new Spring grass, which event is called the running of the mules. It's an amazing experience with the mules ecstatic at the prospect of fresh grass and sunshine. They run, prance and roll along the run in a wonderful display of sheer equine joy.

Rupert waiting for his church entrance

Another unique feature of the Town Barton Day is the church service, held in Tedburn St Mary Church, complete with donkey companions; Town Barton Day is a huge family affair, Donkey Weekers are joined by staff’s families and friends and it is a massive open day.

Lunch is provided at Town Barton by the Women’s Group of Tedburn St Mary, a veritable feast of salads, pasties, quiches, sandwiches, cakes, biscuits and a wide choice of soft and hot drinks and the huge open wall barn offers some respite from the hot sun!

We decided this year to self-drive to the farms, which meant we didn't have to rush off, and we were able to take advantage of donkey walking and trailer rides after the busy day.

On returning to Sidmouth we cleaned ourselves up and enjoyed a delicious roast dinner in the Donkey Sanctuary Kitchen Restaurant, with a fun talk from Dawn Vincent with lots of stories of donkeys across the years.

Full of roast dinner and chocolate brownie, it's time to head to bed on the penultimate day.

This week has flown by - last formal day tomorrow...what SHALL we do with our time..?