The Grand Ranch tour.

 Chris had booked us a farm tour, so a very quick breakfast and no time for coffee!

A code to get in the gate and then we were greeted by Hollie, chatted a bit about the farm and then

we went to see the miniature highland cows. This is Love Bug. We could pet and brush them while we learned about the breed.

We also met Hay Hay, the rooster who loved to be carried, and Duck Duck, the goose that was scared of everyone except River.

River and Maya were definitely the bravest, wanting to touch and try everything.

We petted the miniature pigs, no idea why I have no pictures of them, and then fed the llama.

He would eat a carrot from your mouth

so it was almost like getting kissed by a llama.

Maya is still carrying around Hay Hay.

Hollie was a very relaxed guide; tending to the animals, explaining things to the kids, answering all our questions.

Miniature goats were next. Some are yoga goats and they give you a goat back massage. Chris and I both tried that.

The others opted to just let them climb on their shoulders

to get the treats.

Maya getting mugged by goats.

Then there were sheep and a donkey.

That's one spoiled rooster. Mike has talked about wanting to get backyard chickens. I think Maya is in!

The last pen and the highlight of the tour was the 4 miniature highland cattle calves.

We were introduced to them, got to pet and brush them and then

fed them

their

milk

bottles.

Cigi was getting braver

as she watched everyone

getting

into it.

Left with a baby cow equivalent

of a milk mustache.

After Hollie put halters on them we walked them out of the pen. That's one of the ranch's holiday homes in the background. There are 3 on the property and more being built. You can sit in your hot tub and watch the animals or feed them from your kitchen window.

We walked them over to an old tractor for

a family picture.

Not quite as comfortable with the cow

as Mike was with the rooster.

After the tour some home made bread with some of the ranches own honey. Hollie told us that the bees were the most difficult to keep alive then revised that

to say the flowers were the most difficult. They have a 350ft well. They also had a vegetable plot and a fruit orchard. Lots of work.

Two chicks and a chicken.

 The farm tour was great fun and although the kids were a bit cautious at the start they all warmed up to it and got more comfortable with the animals. Maya wants to go back and has renewed enthusiasm for keeping chickens.