Usual Thursday afternoon walk with friends today, but we reverted to walking along the seafront and beach, instead of through the grounds of Lytham Hall. It was obvious that children are now on their school summer break and that the holiday season has begun. We had to dodge children, dogs and donkeys.

I worry about the welfare of beach donkeys but know that the owners must have a licence and that the donkeys must be checked out regularly by a vet. Also, it must be in the owner’s interest to keep the animals in good health, otherwise they would lose money. The animals always look sad to me, but I think that has a lot to do with the shape of their faces. I am reasonably sure these particular animals are okay even if they do look like Eeyore.

According to the nose plate, the brown donkey is call Rambo but the fluffy pink blanket doesn’t seem to go with the name, not to my mind anyhow.

I'm off on holiday tomorrow evening, but I won't be going anywhere near crowded beaches or on donkey rides.