When we were in Le Grand-Pressigny at Easter, Nick had to visit the insurance office in Descartes – a challenge for his French language skills but he was determined to manage by himself – so Lulu and I went to the park for a walk.
There is a little zoo in the park. We have looked around there before and in summer the animals are often sheltering from the sun in their little huts so we don’t see them. Equally in winter they are indoors keeping warm so we still don’t see them.
This day, Good Friday, was a lovely warm spring day and they were all out enjoying the sunshine. Amongst the various animals there were some very cute baby goats.
Lulu was very interested in the baby goats. I guess they were of a similar size to her and she pressed her nose through the wire fence to say hello. I wondered if she thought they were some kind of dog – she had never seen a goat before, not to my knowledge anyway !!
Next thing – THWACK !! – mother goat hurled herself at the fence to head-butt us !!
She was obviously not too keen on this strange poodle creature getting close to her babies. I was very glad the fence was between us. Having several kilos of goat thumping against me or Lulu would have hurt a lot I think. Mother goat bounced off the fence then decided to have another go !!
Some of the animals were tall and handsome.
Others were small and …. bushlike.
The chickens were magnificent. Click to enlarge.
...and I didn't even realise that there was a zoo there. If we go I'll be sure to watch out for the goat family!
ReplyDeleteGaynor, the park at Descartes is always a joy to visit.
DeleteThese are great pictures. I had already seen at the beginning what Lulu looked like, but when I came upon the words "this strange poodle creature" at the same time that I came upon the photo of the strange spotted-zebra-like creature, I momentarily thought, "Lulu?"
ReplyDeleteMitchell, luckily Lulu is smaller than the spotted horse/zebra and therefore fits better on the sofa !!
DeleteI like the bush the best.
ReplyDeleteSpo, I really thought it was a bush until its legs started to move !!
DeleteChalk up another misadventure for Lulu.
ReplyDeleteAnd be thankful you don't meet these critters on the highway when you're riding your motorcycles. Imagine that mama goat charging you on the roadway, when your travelling at your normal speed.
What a fun post!
Bear, luckily there are no wild goats around that I know of, but we have had a few near misses with deer in France and foxes in England. Very scary.
DeleteHello Jean:
ReplyDeleteGoats can be extremely aggressive creatures in our experience so we too should have been grateful for the protection of the fence. Clearly Lulu got more than she bargained for by having a closer look!!!
This small zoo is so attractive and makes, we are sure, for a perfect visit. The zoo in Budapest is extremely popular and has the most marvellous Art Nouveau architecture in the animal buildings. Children in particular seem absolutely fascinated and it is immensely popular with families at weekends.
Jane and Lance, I love zoos, so long as the animals look happy and well cared for. These animals have plenty of space in a natural habitat so it's a delight to see them.
DeleteWhat an enjoyable place to visit, Jean. I bet Lulu was glad about the stout fence between herself and Mama Goat! There's a great zoo about 20 miles away from our French house and we always take the grandsons there when they visit. In it there is a small domestic animal enclosure where visitors can actually pet the goats and sheep which seem to revel in the attention, especially the baby goats. :-)
ReplyDeletePerpetua, being able to touch the animals is lovely - so long as they don't take exception and start head-butting !!
DeleteI love the goats, they are gorgeous, that sheep is just weird!
ReplyDeleteIf you want to see some pretty goats in France, drop in at 'Les Hauts Bourdiers' farm in Nouans-les-Fontaines, east of Loches. The angora goats are cute as can be and the lady of house makes the most beautiful garments of the goat's wool. Being a creative lady, I'm sure you'll love it! When are you leaving for France? Martine
ReplyDeleteHello Jean, I'm glad to see your nice photos in a larger size. We'll be back in France tomorrow. Sorry about that weather...
ReplyDelete