One of the ten must-see sites in Yorkshire is the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, outside Doncaster.
A wide assortment of animals from sea lions and polar bears to red pandas and big cats live in expansive enclosures behind tall fences. Katie and Ian always take their guests there, especially when there’s a 50% discount!
So, we were off to YWP by 8:30 on Monday. December 30th. The day was clear—no rain! But there was wind and freezing temperatures. I dressed in triple layers and packed two shawls and a light blanket.
After walking through half the park, we went into a café not only to have lunch but to warm up. Poor Ian was poorly dressed for the chill. “It was freezing!” He later recounted.
He tried not to complain, but he could hardly help it. So, once more, I pulled out my shawls and implored him to use them.
“No, no. I’m alright…. I’m just so cold!”
“So, use one of these!”
“No, no. I don’t want to be a bother!”
“It’s no bother! Please. I brought them to use!”
“No, no. I don’t like to cause a fuss! But I am just freezing!”
“So, use one of these! Look, I’m standing right here in front of you with warm, woolen shawls in my hands==like God and His salvation!”
“No….well, okay.”
Katie and I tucked a shawl over his shoulders and down his back and then adjusted his jacket over it all. “Oh,” he declared. “This feels better already!”
I marveled at the variety of animals that roamed wide, open spaces around us. They didn’t reject the provisions of a comfortable habitat and regular feedings. Yet, we humans so often reject the gracious provisions that a caring God holds out to us. Such an irony causes me to marvel even more.
That sounded like a great adventure! As always, thankyou for sharing with us. I did accept your Whatsapp invitation but have yet to hear from you personally (?) Maybe I missed something…all my love…Nancy
Sorry that it has taken so long for me to reply. I have just this morning managed to open the comments. They’re heart warming to read. Thank you for yours.
I will search out the WhatsApp situation with Katie’s help when she get home from work tonight. Thanks for letting me know that you accepted the invitation. Most likely the problem lies with me and the likelihood that I haven’t pressed the right button .I hope that you will hear from me within 24 hours.
Thank you for sharing, I smiled as I read your account of how cold it was and how Ian was refusing the warmth of your shawl…I marvel at your comparison to God wanting us to share in His love and salvation. Praying you are continually blessed. I so treasure the moments we had during our fellowship prior to our break.
Thank you, Renee, for your response. Yes, I have often recalled our time at the restaurant where we seemed to be on the same frequency–fun!
Do you know Linda Mitschele who sells Jafra skin products and has been a part of BSF for years? She responded and said that she read my blog to her BSF group.
In His love, Linda
👌awesome
I appreciate your letting me know that you read my blog because I know that you are a very busy lady. Reading one more thing could be a real chore. That’s why my goal is to keep my blog to just 300 words. It doesn’t always happen, of course, but sometimes it does.
I am not missing the fact that along with maintaining of five other lives in your household, you are suffering from leg and internal pains. It’s not an easy row you have to hoe. So, I pray God’s abiding presence, strength, and hope for you.
Delightful. This could be a children’s book!
Thanks for the reply, Deb. Expand on your idea of a children’s book. You with your artist’s eye probably have some very interesting images in mind.
Great job on getting your blog up and running!
Thanks, Jeffrey, it seems that I finally figured out the comments. I’ve received some here and others in my email. Who knows, I may not even have to contact you this weekend. Is Oklahoma plagued by either fires (as in California) or COLD, snow, and ice (as in England)?
Are the replies that I post to readers’ comments out there for everyone to read?
Dear Linda,
How exciting to read your descriptions of your shared shivering experience in Yorkshire’s Wildlife Animal Park and Ian’s initial polite British refusals of aid. We trust your Christmas was uniquely meaningful and this new year will be a spectacular time of seeing delicious new sights!!!
I look forward to more posts!
With Blessings,
Sheri 💗
Thanks, Sheri, for reading and responding. It is encouraging to know of your interaction with my writing. Blog Number Three (“Without Ribbons”) tells about my “uniquely meaningful” Christmas. I don’t know that we will see new sights; I’ve requested a return to old sights like the Herriot House in Thirsk, York, and Whidby by the English Channel. One new sight that we have settled on is Betty’s, a historic tea house, featured in a number of movies, especially of the World Wars and Call the Midwife.