Viva Las Vegas!

The Superbowl wasn't the only thing that Lynne Messenger had in store for me on our USA trip - we also took in Las Vegas, where I had a go at gambling and even won a few dollars. Check out http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/7666852 (click on "slideshow") to see all the photos. Thank you so much to Lynne and her friend Alison for showing me such a good time and of course to all those who made donations to SHADH - your generosity raised £360 towards Lucy's work with the donkeys in the Holy Land!

Now, where shall I go next? Any offers?

First donkey at the Super Bowl!

It's a busy life being me - I'd only just got back from one overseas jaunt when Lynne Messenger asked if I would like to go to the Superbowl with her. Well, I didn't know anything about American Football but if you go to http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/7666852 you will see that I soon learned! Click on "slideshow" to see all the photos from the trip, with captions.

It's a tough life ...

... but someone's got to do it - here I am relaxing on the beach in Costa Rica. All that surfing's worn me out! Surfing and sunbathing weren't the only things I got up to in Costa Rica - see http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/7406550 for all the photos of my adventures with Michelle Conner.

Thanks for my wonderful trip Michelle and if any other humans would like to take me around the world, just e-mail wendy@safehaven4donkeys.org I love visiting exciting new places and in exchange for a donation to SHADH, I'll gladly go on vacation with you!

Did you know donkeys can surf?

Well this one can! Here I am riding a wave in Costa Rica.

Michelle says I was a great travel companion and everyone wanted to know what I was up to - well I guess it's not every day you see three grown-up humans trying to keep a donkey on a surfboard, even if I am a small cuddly donkey!

Giles 2

Hi! I'm Giles 2. What happened to Giles 1 you ask? He went off to the USA and liked it so much he never came back so I'm his younger (and much better looking) cousin!

My first adventure was a trip to Costa Rica with SHADH supporter Michelle Conner in December 2007. Here I am getting to know Michelle's nephew Lucas - read more about my adventures in my next blog!

Giles' friend goes travelling too

My old friend Mr Shaddy (Shads to his friends) came to live with our supporter Liz McLean in the summer of 2006 and, spurred on by my adventures, decided to do some travelling of his own.

Here he is on his way to the Eurotunnel a couple of weeks ago and sampling a glass of wine in France!

I've been to California!

Well, after a somewhat strenuous journey from Florida, business class is not what it used to be, I landed in San Francisco safely. The fog was horrendous and I couldn't even see these Golden Bridges I had heard so much about. When I did arrive at my host's home I was happy to see that I was not the only 4-legged there. In fact there were about 20 distant relatives. I use the term loosely as they were all of Icelandic decent, however they welcomed me so whole heartedly, I couldn't very well explain to them that we were possibly less related than the average horse and donkey would have been. I did become especially close with an Icelandic named Undri. He was also visiting, from Canada, and did his best to expertly guide me around the vineyards and orchards, even though I think he was more surprised than I was anything could be growing in January. He and I did manage to get a nice picture together, although his large head of mane kept blocking me from the photo. From farm country I headed south, to the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles. Actually I did not really spend much time in the city. My weekend was all about meeting a fellow donkey celebrity, Eyore, of Winnie the Pooh fame, and there was only one place to find him; Disneyland. Yes, supposedly the "Happiest Place on Earth". While I won't disagree that it was a "happy" place, they certainly charge you a hoof and a tail for it. All I can say is that I was glad that the Pound Sterling has such a favorable exchange rate with the US dollar. Once waiting in several long lines we finally made it through the shiny gates, to the entrance. There I got a nice picture in front of a statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse, displaying some fine inter-species friendship. The rest of the day was spent on rides and eating strange fried and sugared foods that made me feel oddly dizzy and compelled to purchase souvenirs. My favorite ride was the Dumbo ride, although a cruel name for a noble elephant, because I really felt like I was soaring through the air, but without feeling in danger to my life, which is more than I can say for a couple of those rides! ( Space Mountain should have a warning sign! ) In the end I never did find Eyore, however I did meet many other famous characters, such as Minnie Mo