Donkey Week Diary; Day Six

And then, the week has flown by and it's the last day. The last day of Donkey Week is spent at Slade House Farm, the main sanctuary farm.

The usual round of trailer rides, donkey cuddling and fundraising go on, but with a tinge of sadness. As a regular volunteer I will be back in a couple of weeks to work an event, but I felt sympathy for those Weekers who are too frail or live too far away to visit regularly.

So, what to do on the last day? It was another gloriously sunny day, such a week of good weather for Donkey Week, so time to slap on the suncream and see some donkeys.

We took a walk over to Trow Farm again to walk some donkeys and for me to see my Donkey Week donkey, Henry. I walked Little Bird again, she of the gentle patient nature, and then spent a long time grooming and talking to Henry.

I took the opportunity of a trailer ride back to the main farm and thrilled in the luscious green surroundings and the blue, blue sky. After a long depressing winter, it seems spring has finally arrived.

A pleasant afternoon of chats, an interesting talk on donkey advocacy and then the final farewell talk from the CEO followed

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155492454053201&id=152390983200.

We also found out which fundraising stall had raised the most (a gentle well-meaning competition) and who had won the big raffles. I bid in the Auction for an original piece of art I had set my heart on and got it! This was followed by farewells and hugs to fellow Weekers who are preparing to return to their hotels for the last time. No tears, we have all had a fabulous week, and we will be back next year!!

But my friends and I have something up our sleeve for the last day, to dispel the low mood. We always buy our donkey feeding tickets for the last day, so we have something to look forward to and it's a great way to end the week.

We load up buckets with ginger snaps, polos and sliced carrots and apples, add in some equine food (depending who we are feeding) and then get some time corralled with our nominated donkey while they munch and crunch through the contents of the buckets. I got an old favourite, Baby Donk, but we shared his treat with Jasper who didn't get a feeder.

This is a brilliant opportunity to spend some one on one with another donkey and I thoroughly enjoy doing it.

And just like that, we have one final coffee in the restaurant and raid the shop and Donkey Week is over for another year. Time to set the countdown clock to the next one.

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..?

Donkey Week Diary; Day Four

Today's farm was Paccombe, tucked away ten minutes from the main sanctuary site and home of donkey behaviour training. Paccombe is an interesting Donkey Week farm because there is no donkey walking, but plenty of stalls (including games and regulars Cocoa's Handmade Chocolates), a BBQ, two different trailer ride routes and a barn full of donkeys waiting for cuddles. There was two fascinating talks; Dawn Vincent talked about her granny, Donkey Sanctuary founder Dr Elisabeth Svendsen, with lots of funny memories and lovely photos. Lots of tears around the barn remembering that amazing lady and people's own personal memories.

Then Alex Mayers gave a brilliant talk on the donkeys' contribution to humanity, often overlooked in the pursuit of relief of suffering. I am so in awe of the work Alex and his team does, going around the world seeing donkeys who are in pain, abused or exhausted needing help and then planning for that help with the owners/community/governments.

But we don't detract from the donkey cuddling. At Paccombe you are allowed in the barn with brushes to stroke and love your chosen donkey.

I was chosen by Larry, who obviously needed a nap as he fell asleep on my shoulder, and I interacted with up to a dozen donkeys, stroking and talking to them.

Additional unexpected photo op was with handsome donk Martin who obediently stood at the gate while we had our photo taken with him.

The two trailer rides were ‘up’ (longer) and ‘down’ and I just managed to catch the shorter ride before the end of the day. I know that route, but am constantly surprised at the beauty of the countryside around there.

And to finish the day it was skittles night for the Weekers. We are all pretty atrocious players but it's an entertaining way to spend an evening and boosts the economy for the local village hall. Along with a raffle (I won some choccies!) and a delicious hot and cold buffet it makes for a fun night. Sunday tomorrow; this week is going too fast!

Donkey Week Diary; Day Three

Day three of Donkey Week saw us at Brookfield Hospital. Brookfield opened last year, and is the foremost donkey veterinary hospital in the world. Like the new shop, learning zones and restaurant, Brookfield was built purely on donations and legacies. What a magical legacy to leave behind you, healthy well cared for donkeys! There is a lovely article on the Donkey Sanctuary website from one of our kind future legatees; https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/legacy/ann-toogood

Patsey 2017

For me Brookfield was a surprisingly emotional day. Last year I met and bonded with Patsey, a lovely Irish boy, and I have carried his photo with me ever since. Imagine my thrill when I found out Patsey was still there and the wonderful farm manager Layla arranged for me to have some time with him.

Patsey (l) and Shadow

He was joined by his friend Shadow and we had lovely donkey snuggles and kisses.

He whuffled and nestled into my T-shirt, letting me know donkeys never forget; while cuddling him I noticed Layla had let go the lead rope and he was still giving me lovings without hesitation.

Patsey 2018

There were the usual rounds of donkey walking, cuddling and lunch, we were also given two fascinating talks; one on Donkey Sanctuary overseas work and one on the work of the Donkey Sanctuary vets (the latter was broadcast live on Facebook and you can see it here; https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155486037248201&id=152390983200)

We learn so much from the experts in their fields during these Weeks, and the environment helps with the whole ambience...people talking about donkeys while they are braying outside, obviously feeling they should be part of the show…

But not to forget Donkey Week is all about donkey loving and there was plenty of that!

I had lots of grooming and cuddles with Sooty and Harry.

Zac

I was paired with a nice quiet donk to walk called Zac, and that made for a wonderful walking session with lots of cuddles with the little gentledonk. With mobility issues I need to be careful and the grooms are more than happy to find a nice patient donkey for me to walk.

You know it's been a good day when your car is the last one in the car park!

The booplesnoot says goodnight x

Donkey Week Diary; Day Two

Once the formalities of day one are sorted, the next bit of the holiday is visiting the farms. There are half a dozen farms in South Devon and Dorset housing hundreds of donkeys which are not open to the public and these farms are opened up for Donkey Week, with charity stalls, refreshments and light lunches, and interesting talks on all aspects of Donkey Sanctuary work from overseas relief to local donkey assisted therapy. But there is no pressure, the Weeker is free to pass their time as they see fit. Some visit the talks, some spend the whole time with donkeys and some take advantage of the trailer rides, walks available.

First farm for 2018 was Woods, a peaceful farm nestled in the Devon countryside near Ottery St Mary. Home of David, well known in donkey circles for his floppy ears and also home to Timmy and Tommy, UK cruelty rescue, and Lola, Cheeko and Snowy - rescued from a nearby farm.

With my friend Mollie’s help I found a lovely peaceful jenny called Cassie who was happy to mooch about with the limpy two-legs.

It wasn't all donkey walking, I visited Cuddle Corner and did some grooming, went on a wonderful trailer ride, and also spent a lot of time in the presentation barn with youngsters like Jessie and Darcy stroking and talking to them while listening to the talk on Donkey Assisted Therapy. There is an interesting article recently on the Donkey Sanctuary Webpage listing 10 interesting facts and today was a wonderful example of #9;

“9) The bond between donkeys and humans is closer than you think
Research has shown that a donkey’s heart rhythm can synchronise with, and even influence those of a human when they interact. Because these heart rhythms reflect how we’re feeling, a donkey’s calming mood can reduce a person’s anxiety. The limbic system, the part of a donkey’s brain associated with emotion, behaviour, motivation and memory, is the same size as that of a human.”

https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/node/11864

The time spent with donkeys like Jessie and Darcy was a practical illustration of this, as I relaxed they relaxed and then it was heads on shoulders and whuffling…so intense it was hard to let them go, but when they wanted to move I had to let them...
a donkey's head is very heavy!!

I managed to help one nervous Weeker get the courage to stroke a donkey, telling her what was good signs and what was bad. The behaviour she found threatening was actually the donkey pushing his head towards her in anticipation of some fuss, not the prelude to biting! :-)

Evening entertainment tonight was the Bingo. A fun evening with Farmer Willie and his made up bingo calling! Great fun but I never won one game. I did however pick up a raffle prize - chocolates!

Tired but oh so contented. I am surrounded by fellow donkey lovers, all my stuff smells of donkey and I even dream of them.

Tomorrow Brooksfield and I hope to see Patsey Donkey again.

Night night everyone and all the donkeys.

Donkey Week Diary, Day One

I'm relatively new to Donkey Week and after only two years I was surprised how many people I knew, greeting my Weeker friends who I haven't seen since last year.

Day One is a gentle introduction on the main Slade Farm site; we catch up with friends, pick up our week schedule, a little craft shopping, risk a few pennies on a raffle or two, buy tickets for Bingo, Skittles and Cabaret Night. Seriously this event is like the coolest holiday camp with donkeys!

The Sermon on the Mount is the introductory talk by the Donkey Sanctuary CEO, Mike Baker. This year’s was very positive; all the building work is done (new restaurant, new shop and donkey learning zones) and the long campaign against donkey skins is finally turning the tide. Add to that promising news from Zimbabwe and the continuing work in 40 countries shows how our donations are being used. Donkey Sanctuary gets no government funding, so everything is done from donations, legacies and fundraising.

Once the Sermon was done, it was time for a coffee and plans for the day. We elected on a trailer ride to see the Poitou first - the Poitou all looked like shampoo adverts in the gentle breeze, their long fur rippling and blowing around. And the trailer rides are a fun part of the week on all the farms.

Then we walked over to Trow Farm, part of the Slade estate, to have our first donkey walking of the week.

Donkey Walking - one of the reasons this event is so popular...you pitch up at the barn, the grooms halter a donkey for you and off you go. A chance to walk the donkey, pet them, talk to them. Once you've had enough, it's back to the barn (usually walking much faster for the donkeys!) and the donkeys are tied up for Weekers to groom, to grab a brush and commune with your donkey.

This is not only restful and therapeutic for the Weeker, but it also benefits the donkeys. Being walked by novices helps with their patience span, and grooming is like the world's best massage for them.

After a busy day the Weekers travel to Sidmouth for the now iconic cabaret with local singer, Simon Rees.

He delivers an excellent evening with lots of audience participation. So lots of laughter, dancing and loud singing.

And so day one draws to a close, we are very tired but very, very happy to be back.