End of Season Farewell!

It's that time of year again..... when all of us here at Gypsy Wood Park get a bit sad. Woody's told us he doesn't want the fun to end, and all the animals will miss their friends. But, it's time they all had some time to chill-ax over the winter months.

 

Gypsy Wood Park will be closing this Sunday (16th September). Our staff, and our animals will all have a well deserved break, with plenty of relaxation and rolling! Some of our animals, like LaLa and Dinky the ponies, have gone away to school over the winter. They need some lessons in riding so that they are all ready and prepared for next year's rides. They can't wait to be fully qualified ponies!!

 

So, a big, big thank you to everyone who came to see us this year. We loved every minute, and we hope you did too. And of course, let's not forget to say a big cheer for our fabulous team of staff who make Gypsy Wood Park the magical place it is - thanks so much to you all for your hard work and dedication this year!

 

And, last, but definitely not least, a big shout-out for all the amazing animals who fill Gypsy Wood with their fun, love and frolics.

 

So bye for now from all of us. We can't wait to see you again next year. We're open on the 23rd March 2013. See you sooooooooooon!!

 

 

 

Woody's Fancy Dress Party 2012

Ok, so the weather might not have been on our side (typical bank holiday rain!) but that didn't stop us all having a BRILLIANT time at this year's Woody's Fancy Dress Party.

A fabulous day was had by all who attended, and all of the staff, who as ever, got into the spirit and threw themselves into helping Woody make sure that the rain didn't stop play. There was plenty of fun to be had, and here are some pictures of some of Woody's best dressed helpers!

A big thank you to all who came along, and to all the staff who helped make it Woody's dream day!

And if you missed the fun this year, you'll have to wait till next year! Woody's Fancy Dress will be taking place on Sunday 25th August 2013. But don't worry - Woody will remind you closer to the time!

Thought for Today

"When I sound the fairy call,

Gather here in silent meeting,

Chin to knee on the orchard wall,

Cooled with dew and cherries eating.

Merry, merry, take a cherry,

Mine are sounder, mine are rounder,

Mine are sweeter, for the eater

When the dews fall, and you'll be fairies all.

 

Cherry Time, by Robert Graves - English poet and scholar (1895 - 1985)

 

 

image by Richard Doyle on wikipedia

 

 

 

 

Pot Bellied Pigs

Gypsy Wood's Pot Bellied Pigs are some of the happiest pigs we know!

Bluebell and Primrose are both 6 years old and they've been happily living here at Gypsy Wood since they were very little.

Native to Vietnam, these tough little pigs are perfectly suited to the climate here in Wales. They love it when it rains because then they can splash about in the mud to their heart's content!

Did you know....?

..... Pot Bellied Pigs can live to be as old as 30 years!

.... Adults can weigh as much as 200lbs; that's a whopping 14 stone!

....Their hooves and tusks have to be cleaned and trimmed regularly to keep them in good health.

Come and see our happy pigs for yourself, at Gypsy Wood Park, North Wales

Leprechaun Luck

If you go down to the woods today............ you might be lucky enough to see one of our handsome leprechauns!

But, just what are leprechauns? And where on earth does that funny name come from?

Well, they are a type of fairy that originally comes from Irish folk stories. They are usually depicted as old men and they wear red or green coats and big hats!

They are especially good at making and fixing shoes, which they do in return for big gold coins that they hide in their secret pot at the end of the rainbow. But, they are notoriously mischievous and they love to play practical jokes on the other fairies.

Legend has it that if a human catches one, they will be given three wishes in exchange for the leprechaun's freedom. But we don't know about that - we're yet to catch one here in Gypsy wood!

See if you can spot one in the woods today!

What's in a name?

The origin of the word "leprechaun" is thought to be varied, but one explanation could be that it comes from an Old Irish word luporchan, which is a mixture of the words for small (lu) and body (corps).

Thought for today!

"Do you believe in fairies? If you do... clap your hands!"

From Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie - Scottish writer and dramatist (1860 - 1937)

 

 

image by Janny Sandholm on wikicommons

 

 

Come and find our fairies at Gypsy Wood Park!

 

 

 

Pygmy Goats

Come along to Gypsy Wood Park and meet some of the beautiful Pygmy Goats that live here.

Peanut, Acora, Poppy, Robbie, Gizmo, Lexi, Hector, Zebedee, Gypsy, Charlotte, Jay, Eccles, Mrs P and Cariad are all full of beans and love to race around their grassy pen.

Pygmy Goats at Gypsy Wood Park

Pygmy Goats are native to Africa and are traditionally used for milking of for meat. But, here at Gypsy Wood, all our pampered Pygmys have to do is have fun and look pretty - the two things they're best at!

Pygmy Goats are hardy animals, so when the Welsh weather gets chilly, it doesn't bother them at all. They like having things to jump on, because they have a big bounce and a spring in their little step. They aren't very good at being on their own, which is why we keep lots of them together. They're all the best of friends. They are also naturally friendly and good natured animals, so they make great pets.

Beautiful Zebedee as a baby - born Summer 2010

Did you know.....?

....Pygmy Goats can live to be as old as 15 years.

....Pygmy Goats like to eat grains, oats and yummy greens.

....Pygmy Goats are naturally affectionate animals once they trust their human carers.