Searching for Spring....

The Mini on the hunt for Spring!

Dearest Muleteers, I have been a little worried that Spring has got lost, maybe she has wandered off across the ocean to our friends in the USA?  A mini mule like me loves the green grass and warm temperatures that Spring brings so you will see why I was so worried.....  I persuaded FH to accompany Explorer Mini on a search for the elusive Lady Spring.....

We set off to see what signs there were in the neighbourhood of Spring appearing, surely she must arrive soon?

I can't tell you how relieved I was to find my first clue that Spring has already paid a fleeting visit... look at those lovely daffodils, I had to sniff them to check they were real.  I offered to pick some for FH with my teeth but ughh they don't taste nice so best to leave them to look pretty.

The daffodils are a beautiful sign of Spring

Next we wandered off up the lane to see what delights we could find in our neighbouring fields, it's such a long way when your legs are as tiny as mine, I'm always happy to walk with FH though, special us time is welcome.... I am No. 1 you know but don't tell anyone else will you?!

Mini Mule on the Hunt for Lady Spring!

Spring rewarded us for our walk with her next clues.... I spy with my little eye (and rather large ears ;-) some bleating lambykins!  These ones are lucky as they're with their Mums enjoying the sweet, tasty grass that Lady Spring has delivered.

These little lambykins are not so lucky, they are orphans.... thankfully our nice neighbour is rearing them as tame lambs, us mules keep an eye on them and take it in turns to visit them and talk to them over the fence, they just say....baaaa, baaaa but they're cute anyway :-)

The Mini visits the lamb creche!

The next clue Lady Spring has left us is the carpet of Snowdrops, they are staying a long time with us this year, normally they would have said goodbye by now but the freezing temperatures have let them stay a while longer.  Aren't they pretty?

A carpet of beautiful snowdrops

After a hearty Springtime walk (I'm convinced she's arrived now!) I could tell we were nearly home as I could hear Dragon neighbraying.  Come quick you missed a sign!  

Look there's blue sky here too!  Not just horrible grey clouds but real blue sky.

Mule alert - blue sky ahead!

And look there's buds on the maple tree too!

Finally home time, I am such a clever Mini Explorer, I found Spring, she was there all along just quite well disguised.  Phew!  This Mini is all overcome with emotion at the arrival of the long awaited, best season of all..... only one thing for it...... a secret kiss from FH! Ssshhhh don't tell the others!

A secret mini mule kiss.... sshhhh!

Mule Rescue

Something is not right, something is definitely wrong.... there is a very scared creature on the other side of the fence and it's making very scared noises..... I think its lost its Mum, I think it's stuck.  Quick FH, stop calling me for dinner and come help!  Those naughty minis have disappeared in for their dinner but no I am NOT coming until you come sort this problem out.  I will stand here at the top of the hill and look over here til you get the hint for goodness sake!

The Momma sheep wants baby lambykins back and you're gonna have to deal with it cos I can't get over there and open the gate for it.

FINALLY!! You got the hint that I wasn't moving for all the shaken food bowls and enticing noises in the world, sometimes there are more important things in life than food (yes, I did just say that!).

Now then, get over that fence and rescue the poor lambykins.


Hee haw, hee haw,  Catanian.... we need you!  FH doesn't have a sheepdog so you'll have to do!

Sheepcat extraordinaire!

The poor lambykins is very afraid and running around so FH you'll have to be quick.....tehehe that was quite amusing when you dived on the floor, nearly in to that cow pat...hehehe

Right one lamb caught, one Momma sheep on the other side of the fence, one Sheepcat scoping out the gate.

Phew Momma and baby reunited, after a quick nuzzle and comforting drink I saw Momma bring the lambykins right near to the gate and look pointedly at FH, Catanian and me.  I'm really convinced she was saying thank you, how lovely.

Ok, all sorted, just checking that there are no more escapees and then it's time for a nap and that dinner you promised me, I think extra carrots are in order...

We're particularly pleased to reunite Momma and Lambykins as here in the UK it's Mother's day, Mum's are just THE BEST!  For all the Mums and Grannies out there we salute you for keeping us all on track and bringing joy to the world.

God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made Mothers.

Rudyard Kipling

Splish Splash....

The sun has been shining for more than a day - wow!  At Muleteer HQ this is a reason for celebration... Dragon style.  And what better way to celebrate that heading out for a ride?

I called up my neigh-bours My Heroine (aka Breeze) and The Sensible One (aka Chance) and asked if they fancied going out for a girlie day out.  Of course we decided we better take some humans as they come in useful for things like opening gates and directing traffic...only thing is we have to carry them!

So along came my friends and we decided it was time for a splash in the river, you may remember that my friend Breeze and I have been working on our splashing skills in case we ever need to earn hay money.  Breeze is an expert at the river splash with her front feet...





Here she is showing off (in a rather abstract way... appalling camera work FH) her skills.

Well anything Breeze can do I'm gonna give it a go too!  I eyed up the water, it was a little chilly around my mulificent feet but looked ready for some action.

I got on in there and splished and splashed and paddled to my heart's content :-)

After rather a long time of hilarity and some very soaked humans we decided that it might be time to stop playing in the river, my hooves were starting to feet like wet sponges!  So off we went waving ears at everyone we passed.

Eventually it was time to leave my neigh-bours and head off on my own.  FH had grown stiff and decided it would be a good opportunity to hop off and give me a break. She really doesn't realise how tough I am does she?

I had a little snuffle in the drain to see how much water there was, for once it was only a trickle. No raging torrents here at the moment, mmm now I think I'll just test the hedgerow too... yum!

Then back in the saddle and FH told me to take her home to the ranch.... hmmm I think she means petite English country cottage?  We passed under my favourite railway bridge, no trains to spot today which is always a disappointment.....

Nearly home I was struck by a funny noise coming from over the hedge, a high pitched bleat.

Whatever could it be?

Oh it's that time of year again where the lambs are springing around and calling for their Mums!  They are so cute and bouncy, FH and I had a lovely time watching them enjoy themselves!

Alas all good things must come to an end, a couple hours, gallons of river water, a few bouncy lambs and some good miles later I was ready for a roll and of course a bite to eat. Ready to do it all over again the next day.

Til next time Muleteers, happy riding!