Bertie has very large ears that he swivels with ease looking interested in all around him. Also, he is very photogenic as members discovered when they visited The Flicka Foundation, horse and donkey sanctuary, at Mabe Burnthouse.

Bertie is a very rare French Baudet de Poitou donkey. Standing high and sturdy with long, thick and woolly coat - he is gorgeous. He was sharing his stable with his best friends: Hermonine – a friendly attention seeking grey donkey; and Doris – a sweetie, the overall smallest donkey at the sanctuary.

Connecting with these quiet and friendly donkeys is easy. When stoking them, a feeling of wellbeing and calmness comes up through their coat – a unique rather coarse texture, colours varying through shades of white, grey, and brown.

This brief visit, including a cup of coffee, was a breath of fresh air for the members. The Flicka Foundation is open daily except Mondays and Fridays, 10am to 4pm.

“It does you good to see, to talk and to touch these loveable donkeys. They look so content with life. We shall come again soon” said President Margaret Williams. “I only wish that Bertie, Hermonine and Doris could talk to us’.