A Walk on the Wild Side

When we're out walking we're always on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary: the Peacock Butterfly we spotted flying in early February, or the cowslips in autumn.

Yesterday's walk was more out of the ordinary than usual and we were glad to have Gaynor and Tim with us to confirm our story....

Our walk was one we have done several times, through the forest at Guesnes...  but never before had we seen one of these by the forest path..

We couldn't believe our eyes...

Colin was the first to go for a closer look...

 Tim noticed the foaming at the mouth stage prior to spitting???

Of course, Gaynor and I were more sensible and detoured past this typical woodland creature...

We went on to enjoy the sculpture trail...

 

It was at this point I noticed Tim's posture had changed somewhat..

Could it be that the camel had "turned" him in some way??!

We admired the incredible height of the Pines...

and took a look in the hunting lodge, where I tried my hand at the sling-shot. Suffice it to say that Colin's coat was sufficiently tough to withstand the force of the stone as it rebounded off the wall with surprising speed.

Then there were more surprises in store..

And as we approached the end of the walk the whole thing became clear..

The circus must be using the area to overwinter...

Whilst we found this little goat rather endearing..

we were mighty thankful we'd not met with the occupant of this cage..

Not your usual walk through a forest in rural France; but then again.......