Every morning, just before breakfast – we follow the farmer’s rule here, nobody eats until the animals do – we go outside to do the farm chores. Minnie has been let out before dawn, Red is let out once we get out, he likes to wait by the pasture gate to go to work. They are usually both waiting for us by the gate. The donkeys also understand the morning drill, they are standing by the gate also.

I love this sight, one of the first things I see in the morning, it is a ritual of life here, grounding and reassuring. Animals love routine, they are creatures of tradition.