For some mysterious reason I'm usually to be seen in West Cork every year around 22nd August and this year was no exception. North Cork donkeys usually take advantage of the situation, and Jacinta first of all, as they all know that I won’t miss visiting them and bringing carrots and apples by 10-kilo bags and gingernuts for the treat box.
So on a fine Sunday morning last August, off I went to donkey paradise. But this time I brought two new donkey admirers... my sister, who is from Vietnam and was for the second time in West Cork, and a new Irish friend, Maria. I’d sent pictures of Jacinta to Maria earlier, in May, and she had been very impressed by her stricking personality and I knew how much she was looking forward to be officially introduced.
« Wow, I’ve never seen so many donkeys at a time » was the first thing Maria said when we arrived in sight of the first paddocks.
Jacinta was inside with Lorcan when I hailed her. She was extremely busy that day, doing one of the things she does best besides braying : eating. She barely raised her head to say « Hi girls ! Lovely to see you but I’ve got a rack of things to do you know… » and down again to graze the lush green grass. Eventually she came up to the fence to get a scratch or two but was back to grazing in no time. Maria was amazed at the amount of food she seemed to be able to swallow. Looking at her, I was wondering, shall we have to put her on a diet some day, for her to keep her attractive figure? She should be careful. Maria, who is working in show business, says that there are roles for donkeys in many a play or musical. She even suggested I should do a survey of it for a next blog entry. That could be a career opportunity for Jacinta and she should keep fit and healthy, just in case. I’m fairly confident where her voice is concerned.
Both Maria and my sister were appalled when I told them how Lorcan got his floppy ears which now make him so popular.
Then we took a walk up the hill to visit the Waltons and their pals. They were all in very good fettle, scratching, grazing, snoozing… and it was a delight to see them. I also had the opportunity to introduce Gandhi to the two-legged brigade.
It was about 2 pm when we decided to go back to the picnic area in order to do what Jacinta was just still doing—though at that time Julie-Ann had taken the lead in that matter… see picture. But of course, we bipeds did it sitting around a table and using forks and knives with our forehooves.
After a last friendly scratch behind a considerable number of ears, back we drove to Cork city, Maria with a stunning Hee-Haw bag. At one stage we considered buying a whole lot of donkey ties for all the male performers of a recent musical to wear on stage but we eventually thought that, although it would be great fun, it just didn’t suit the subject of the musical. Though... my sister bought a couple of things for her nephew. As for me, I have the 40-years on DVD which I have already watched several times and my 2010 donkey calendar is now patiently waiting to be hung on 1st January.
