Today I joined our wildlife expert, James Chubb, on a ramble to catch up with some of the wild residents here at the Sanctuary. I must say it was a real eye-opener to realise just what we have on our doorstep and it was a chance to ask James questions as we went round checking mammal traps and reptile refuges, to find out what lives in the woodlands and fields around Slade House Farm.

On a cold February morning I opened a door and stepped into another world... that of the elderly donkey living at Axnoller Farm. It's not every day that something catches you unaware, but this was one of those moments as I took in the sight of around 50 donkeys standing side by side along the feeders eating their breakfast almost in silence. Each and every donkey wearing their winter rugs to offer them further warmth.

In this barn is a very special donkey that I fell in love with many years ago during one of my holidays to the Sanctuary. Her name is Panda and this is my journey with her to the present day.

It’s Wednesday morning, there’s a chill in the air and frost is still covering the ground. I leave the warmth of my office with camera in hand and venture down to Hurfords where public footpaths and bridleways pass through the Sanctuary’s fields and woodland.

A childhood memory of mine is eating sticky toffee apples round a roaring bonfire on Guy Fawkes night, so my mind got to wondering if we had any donkeys that I could give you a fond memory of to remember the 5th of November. And here it is... two donkeys called Toffee and Apple!

I was chatting with Kate Jones from Paccombe Farm the other day about donkeys and she said, "We've got a couple of donkeys that it would be great to tell our supporters about this Halloween!". It was a done deal... Kate would take the photos and I'd do some research into their background. Read on...

Take your minds back to almost 3 years ago when Paul Frostwick from Norfolk asked his girlfriend Sally to marry him... After being together for 9 years, Paul decided he wanted to pop the question to Sally with the help of Teddy (left) and Sally (right), two donkeys he had seen during previous visits.