There is a single moment, it seems to me, when our day begins, when the boundary  between night and day is crossed, and that is the opening of the pasture gate. As soon we are move about the house, Chloe and the donkeys gather at the gate, waiting to be fed, perhaps get a treat, maybe get brushed.

All eyes are on Maria – the dogs waiting for the signal to go through the gate, the ponies and the donkeys eager for some food.

The dogs have rushed to the gate from the house and watch Maria and I closely – they are commanded to “stay” or “wait” until the gate is open.  They are literally quivering in anticipation. They are rapt. Maria often looks back to see where I am, I am always coming behind them with the camera, and when they all enter the pasture, I turn on the water hose and then come into help shovel the manure and direct the dogs to move the sheep around or keep them off of Maria.

Then, our day is underway, and this morning, the staff was assembled at the gate, at the moment our day  begins.