Just
next to Marineland is La Petite Ferme de Provence, a specially
set up "farm" with small animals to captivate and
interest small children. James said he really wanted
to have a pony ride, and ran off in the direction of the ponies
as soon as we got in. We were not sure if he'd get scared
when he saw the pony in the flesh, but as you can see he loved
it. Bridget led the little pony, kept docile by the use of
a nose bag, up and back the course. Fantastic!
There
were also small electic powered boats (one adult only per
boat, so they said). All children had to wear lifejackets,
and James, well, let's just say he wasn't too keen. And so
that's how come able-swimmer Bridget, carried along in a slow
moving boat in all of one foot of water was also wearing a
life jacket. The things we do to keep the peace. But then
again, he did enjoy the ride.
From some distance off, James had caught site of a large
inflatable chicken in the centre of the Ferme, and was keen
to investigate. It turned out to be a large slide, with
a scramble up a rope ladder on either side. Shoes off, James
carefully made his way up the rope ladder, oblivious to
the children who attacked the slope with abandon, and climbed
all over him as he ascended. Then at the top, and down he
came. Not put off by the rapid descent and much to our delight,
he went round again and again.....
And
whilst all this was going on, Matthew took his afternoon rest.
Literally whilst ALL of this was going on - he was asleep
when we entered the Ferme, and still asleep when we left.
Just as well we didn't have to pay for him. Admitedly the
visit to the Ferme was quite short, sandwiched as it was between
the dolphins and sharks, lunch and the whale show in Marlineland.
