Its been 2 days since our last animal escape

As is the way of things on old farms, the latch on one of our gates broke recently. With plans in the works to rejig a number of the fences, we decided to "make do" with a temporary fix that involved a chain and an ikea kitchen hook to keep the gate closed until the new set up could be finalised. You know, we didn't want to spend money when it was going to have to be redone later anyway. It was working well. Kevin, who does most of the chores and goat visits involving that gate has had 0 problems getting in and out of the field, with no escapees.

This week, however, marked my first time in the last year running our Meet the Goats farm tours. My first day back started well, even with an observer from a local organisation, a missing hay delivery and extra guests I hadn't planned for. No. Big. Deal. I was back at it. I remembered my quippy lines and I was in the flow. Until I had to grapple with the gate.

I let the cow through to milk no problem, but just couldn't get the new latch to hook properly (I realised later part of it had fallen into the mud). I made due, wedged it closed and thought I had made enough of a fastening to come back to it after milking. Honey went to her stand, I began my milking talk but after most of the guests took their turns, I could hear the grunting of the pigs getting louder from the wrong direction.

Loretta, Dasha the goat and the 2 kids had graciously let themselves out of the field via the broken gate and around the back. While the goats were happy with the forage in the garden, Loretta headed straight for the milk bucket at the kitchen door. I looked up to see 2 gallons of old milk spilling all over the paving at the front as she gleefully slurped the smelly milk puddle.

With the activity in front of the house, of course the cow didn't want to move and then with the commotion of the laughter from guests, the baby goats had to come see what was going on. Fortunately, they headed straight for their Aunty Honey the cow and were quickly and safely shut in the milking barn until I could move one very large KuneKune pig with itty bitty legs.

There are few things more humbling than trying to move an enormous pig from a lake of milk whilst being watched by 10 strangers. There is no moving a pig that doesn't want to go any where, so a called on my high school improv training and just went with it as Loretta slurped. Eventually, with 2 buckets of food and a lot of patience, Loretta decided that she would come with me to the back garden, where other than the additional belly scratches and selfies, she took no notice of any of the excitement she caused and proceeded to fall asleep.

...and I went out to buy the new latch on the gate straight after.