I made a little trip
this summer. John did a brilliant job looking after the animals on his own and
I could not wait to go home and help out. That's the way I travel. I get home
sick at the airport going out. On the other hand, after my little trip, I'm now
convinced that we should have donkeys and a Jersey cow, or two. Both the
sweetest animals and they would fit right in with our lot. Animals with a mind
of their own seem to find us... But I do not want peacocks; thank you and
meerkats would not like the cold.
Meerkats likes me,
though. It was quite embarrassing when a whole team of them started following
me around their pen at Durrell’s, the wildlife park, on the island of
Jersey. They must have thought I was related. A small boy who had been
screaming his head off to get them closer burst in to tears. I kindly asked him
to be a little quieter and he might stand a chance to actually meet them. I thought
his granddad would hug me, as he had been saying the same thing. Funny how some
family's thinks everything must be so loud an action filled. Even visiting
animals...
The hotel where I was staying had the
most charming staff. One morning I was up a bit earlier than breakfast and
found some of the waiters busy out in the garden. They were feeding sparrows,
finches and blackbirds (I think) with bird breakfast. There were also water
bowls and happy dispositions on both parts. It turned out this was done every
morning and it made me really happy. It goes to show that nice people really
have a need to help others. The bickering about right or wrong did not disturb
me, or the birds. The debate was about the fact that what would happen to the
birds when the staff went on holiday. I suggested a big bird feeder so then we
started talking about rats instead. They could find the feeder, but none of us
knew if there were any rats around. All in all, a very clever discussion. But it
was before morning coffee and the point was that they cared.
So now I am really looking forward to
going home tomorrow to see our animals. Mr Chip will have claimed my bed and
the sheep will be miffed that I have not fed them constantly. As for our
chickens, who knows how their mind works but at least they are all alive. (more
about that later...). So if you want to do an interesting outing you should go
to visit Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. And some Jersey cows.
Do visit The Durrell foundations web site www.durrell.org and join, they do an amazing job saving what can be saved and they have very good cakes at their zoo cafe.
Text by Nina
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