We visited the Redwings horse and donkey sanctuary at Aylsham as a nice thought for an idea for somewhere to spend the afternoon. We were vaguely aware of this place, but Margaret and I had never taken the time to stop and visit.
Redwings horse and donkey sanctuaries are a group of nine sanctuary farms that take care of abused neglected and abandoned horses or donkeys. The charity was established thirty years ago and has gone from strength to strength.
We found our way to the Aylsham centre and parked our car in a spacious car park. The view of the local area is stunning, with horses roaming freely in a large number of paddocks stretching to the horizon. There is a one kilometre nature walk that stretches right around the farm with a variety of horses available to be closely examined and petted by the many visitors.
We entered through a very impressive visitors centre with a fine cafe and snack bar adjoining a sales area where visitors are able to purchase some wonderful souvenirs.
There is no charge for entry, as this well run, very important facility, relies on the charitable donations raised by visitors and horse lovers.
Redwings horse and donkey sanctuaries are a group of nine sanctuary farms that take care of abused neglected and abandoned horses or donkeys. The charity was established thirty years ago and has gone from strength to strength.
We found our way to the Aylsham centre and parked our car in a spacious car park. The view of the local area is stunning, with horses roaming freely in a large number of paddocks stretching to the horizon. There is a one kilometre nature walk that stretches right around the farm with a variety of horses available to be closely examined and petted by the many visitors.
We entered through a very impressive visitors centre with a fine cafe and snack bar adjoining a sales area where visitors are able to purchase some wonderful souvenirs.
There is no charge for entry, as this well run, very important facility, relies on the charitable donations raised by visitors and horse lovers.
We strolled along a grassy pathway to get to the first paddock, past a group of Shetland ponies that are fondly known as The Gangsters. We were very impressed by the space and the conditions available to the very happy healthy residents.
In the next paddock there were two beautiful brown horses, the larger of the two looked like a stallion, he was very stand-offish, looking disdainfully on, while the mare sidled up to us to receive pats and strokes from Margaret and Helen.
In the next paddock there were two beautiful brown horses, the larger of the two looked like a stallion, he was very stand-offish, looking disdainfully on, while the mare sidled up to us to receive pats and strokes from Margaret and Helen.
In the same paddock there were two smaller ponies who strolled towards us to receive the same treatment, one was a very distinctive spotted pony named Cookie. Suddenly the stallion responded to this invasion and chased these two interlopers away.
Helen and I then wandered along another pathway and came upon the magnificent Gulliver and Maya two very impressive good looking, very friendly horses. This is where Helen fell in love. Gulliver this handsome stallion captured her heart, I took some photographs of them together looking into each other's eyes.
I patted and stroked Gulliver's neck and he suddenly gave me a gentle bite on my shoulder, just a friendly nip, I think he preferred the attentions of Helen.
I patted and stroked Gulliver's neck and he suddenly gave me a gentle bite on my shoulder, just a friendly nip, I think he preferred the attentions of Helen.
I left them together and carried on along the path to take some photographs of the donkeys. There were three in a paddock next to Gulliver and Maya, two of them were named Wiggins and Whacko, but I was unable to find out who was who.
I came across two young ladies driving a small truck with a trailer full of horse muck. I enquired what happens to this and one of them replied.
"A farmer comes and takes it all away!"
I had to reply. "That's like gold to us on our allotments!"
Helen and I then wandered along a pathway towards the cafe where Margaret was sitting.
We passed two un-named horses in a paddock that was very overgrown with long grass, they took no notice of us and just continued to feast on the grass. We decided that these two horses hadn't been here long as the grass was too overgrown.
"A farmer comes and takes it all away!"
I had to reply. "That's like gold to us on our allotments!"
Helen and I then wandered along a pathway towards the cafe where Margaret was sitting.
We passed two un-named horses in a paddock that was very overgrown with long grass, they took no notice of us and just continued to feast on the grass. We decided that these two horses hadn't been here long as the grass was too overgrown.
We then caught up with Margaret at the cafe and we all enjoyed a wonderful cup of tea.
Helen had decided to adopt Gulliver and she paid £12.50 for a year, with the option of renewing the adoption next year. Helen will receive a newsletter giving her an update on how Gulliver is getting on during the year. Margaret and I gave a donation to the sanctuary towards the wonderful work they do in rescuing and looking after some seriously neglected ill-treated horses and donkeys.
Helen had decided to adopt Gulliver and she paid £12.50 for a year, with the option of renewing the adoption next year. Helen will receive a newsletter giving her an update on how Gulliver is getting on during the year. Margaret and I gave a donation to the sanctuary towards the wonderful work they do in rescuing and looking after some seriously neglected ill-treated horses and donkeys.
"Rocky Bottom." This was a great way to finish our afternoon's excursion.
This little place is built in the middle of a farmers field halfway between the main road and the sea. The Sheringham Shoal wind farm is clearly visible on the horizon as one looks out to sea. There was a combine harvester hard at work in the adjoining field and I took a picture of this machine that is guilty of replacing so many workers.
The restaurant is very atmospheric with weathered wood surrounding a patio that overlooks the sea, and with many old fashioned deckchairs scattered around. The restaurant serves a menu of seafood and a variety of fish.