What to expect on a Coombe Mill feed run
We were lucky enough to spend Christmas at Coombe Mill. One of the highlights had to be the daily feed run to help Farmer Nick feed the animals. Here is a little guide to what to expect from the Coombe Mill feed run.
- You might not know what to expect at the start of the week….
2. But the kids will very quickly make new friends….
3. Some of these new friends have more than two legs….
4. Save your food scraps (but no meat) to take with you as the pigs will really appreciate it.
5. Every parent thinks exactly the same thing when the piglets are fed: “this is just like dinnertime at our house”….
6. There will be mud. Dress accordingly!
7. However, no matter the weather – wind, rain or sunshine – it is a great way to start the day
8. The kids can help drive the tractor with Farmer Nick or Farmer Amber – or maybe even Fiona! The best parts of the journey to drive appear to be either “across the river” or “the fast bit!”
9. Secretly, every single one of the adults tromping through the mud behind the trailer and tractor are hoping that one time Farmer Nick will say “I think it is about time we let one of the adults have a go on the tractor”.
10. Even if the mums and dads can’t have a go at driving the tractor, there is still the opportunity to help out Farmer Nick. For example, when the donkeys needed moving to a different field, the parents stepped up – and armed with a bag of parsnips and the “donkey whispering” skills of my husband (who knew?) – we had corralled the donkeys into the new field before Farmer Nick and the children had carried out “Plan A” aka drive round the pond beeping the tractor horn whilst the parents open the gate and “look big”
11. You will definitely learn something. One morning Emily hurried over to tell me that “Eggs come out of chickens bottoms!” (which was accompanied by actions to illustrate this new information)
I smiled reading this and looking back on the photos. the girls faces are a picture at the first tractor ride,clearly apprehensive about what was going to happen. How a week changes things, they looked so relaxed after a day or two and really made the most of the whole Coombe Mill experience. It was such a pleasure to watch their enjoyment here and feel their excitement, especially with Christmas in the middle too. I want to turn the clocks back and watch all over again, at least I have your post here to remind me of the fun times they enjoyed.
It was an amazing holiday, and so good to see the girls increase in confidence as the week progressed. Thank you so much for making our Coombe Mill Christmas so wonderful x
Love the feed run – such a magical part of Coombe Mill. Glad you had a great time. So much of this post made me smile. Like the adults wanting a go on the tractor – lol was bad enough all the kids wanting their turn next so much when I went.
I never thought that I would be looking forward to going out in the pouring rain at 9am every morning in my holiday, but it was great. I would have loved a go on the tractor though – especially the “fast bit”
Karen it looks absolutely wonderful. I too love how the girls faces changed during the week. They clearly loved it. What a fab thing to do for Christmas!
We were so lucky to have gone, it really was magical. Your girls would absolutely love it!
How lovely to spend Christmas at Coombe Mill and the feed runs always sound like so much fun. Looks like you were well prepared with the wellies and puddlesuits and Emily and Freyja certainly look like they were enjoying it all 🙂
I cannot recommend it enough. If you get the opportunity to go, then you must!
Brilliant. Sounds like bliss for children. N would be in his element although it would be a busman’s holiday. Happy new year
It was absolutely amazing!
This looks so good Karen, I really want to go! My kids would love the feed runs too, your two have the cutest looks on their faces! Love the first pic where they are maybe not so sure! Glad you had a lovely time xx
Yours would love it. I can really recommend it x