Somewhere, in the middle of this pile of children, there is a pony.
Squeegee has a huge fan-club here at Bondi Village. This week we have a chattering of children on site (we think that's the correct collective noun... after all, hummingbirds come in a charm; it's a murder of crows; a paddling of ducks, a skulk of foxes....) One family, here for their annual Bondi Reunion, has nine children under the age of nine...
The pony is in line for saint-hood. He dutifully stood to be brushed by many eager little hands. He let his mane be combed, and styled. He patiently stood still while little ones got into the saddle. He walked out very carefully with Harriet, and his precious cargo. Some even got to trot for a bit if they were feeling brave.
For some, it was their very first time ever sitting on a pony. Cameras were everywhere.
Squeegee even had an escort everywhere he went. A few of the very little ones were a bit nervous -- but even Elizabeth and Maria warmed up to the chance to brush the pony.
So the big horses didn't feel left out, they too came in for their share of attention.
And the chickens? Well, I do believe some of them spent more time being carried about by children than they did running around pecking at the grass!
