I had not expected my weekend to include so much goat action, but goat action it did. As I was required to do a risk assessment in preparation for today's adventure, Matt, Mary and Harry accompanied me to Farming World on Saturday. I manged to be an adult for at least some of the time and remained calm and almost adult like throughout. (I am sure both Matt and Mary will correct me on this however). Then this morning, like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, I excitedly skipped my way back to the farm followed by 110 cheery children and 20 willing adults.

Of course I managed to restrain myself a little and allowed the children to see the guniea pigs and rabbits before whisking them off for goat action. I failed to contain my excitement this time however and positively glowed as I fed handfuls of grass to a particularly lovely pygmy goat and pointed out the fantastic ginger nubian standing proudly on the hill. 'I AM GOAT!' it vociferated to the rest of the farm 'hear me bleat!'

It was all to promote the awe and wonder element to the children of course.

At this point one of the aforementioned willing adults asked me what it was. 'What is it about goats exactly?' she asked as she stood head tilted to one side, clearly trying to understand why one fine white specimin was doing the hokey-cokey putting one hoof in and one hoof out of the water trough. As this is a question often asked I think it is worth clearing up.

Have you ever really studied a goat? I bet you have not. Their little beards (my class know what I am doing as I say that), their little fluffy tails (and again) and they are so, SO mischievous! Civilisation as we know it would not exist if it was not for the humble goat. Take Robinson Crusoe for example, how would he have survived on the island for so long? ;) We would not have such great literature as 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff', there would be no cashmere, no goat cheese, no 'goatee beard' (hrm perhaps I should stay quiet on that one) It would be life Jim, but not as we know it :)

Take the time to watch a goat. I know the opportunity rarely comes up unless you move in odd social circles, but next time it does, watch. It is worth drawing the attention of the locals and a possible run in with the area animal welfare group. They are wonderfully entertaining, peculiar, mischievous creatures and the stand up comics of the animal kingdom.

So take the time to celebrate the wonder that is the goat :)