A little jaunt down to Devon...

The Other Half's parents are very lucky to have friends who own a holiday lodge on a campsite down in North Devon, about 10 minutes drive from Ilfracombe. Last year we went with them for a few days away and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. This year they let us go on our own!  It is the first time just the three of us - Roo, daddy and me - have been away together on holiday and although four days may not seem like much if you are used to two weeks in the sun every year, to us it was enough of a break away from the normal routine to return feeling refreshed and (almost) ready to get back to work...

The weather wasn't too unkind - hot sunshine the first day, warm and breezy on Friday and Saturday and then non-stop, pretty epic rain on Sunday (and Monday when we were trying to pack up the car!).
I couldn't get a decent wi-fi signal on my laptop and mobile signal was a bit touch and go too so, apart from a couple of checking in phone calls to the OH's mum who was looking after the shop, we did actually manage to stay away from work for the whole time we were away (no mean feat when you are self employed!).

Here are a few photos of our holiday. It's a beautiful area to stay. I just wish we could stay a little longer...

Ilfracombe Tunnels Beach and Harbour

Tunnels Beach, Ilfracombe

paddling

surfs up!

Back through the tunnels...

Ilfracombe harbour

Verity

The controversial Damien Hirst sculpture 'Verity' stands guard at the entrance of Ilfracombe Harbour. Viewed from the landward side she is a very naked, very pregnant woman, standing on a pile of legal tomes with sword aloft in her left hand and scales of justice held in her right. On the seaward side her skin is pared back to reveal the anatomical details - including baby in womb. She is said to represent truth and justice. There was quite an uproar when the statue was first installed (as there usually is surrounding most of Hirst's work). Whilst I'm not too sure about the anatomical side I think from this angle she is quite stunning...

Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park

Wallaby welcoming committee

dinosaur walk through suitably primeval forest...

Spider monkey - so cute!

'you lookin' at me?' Marmoset with attitude...

raccoon feeding time!

 

beautiful Hudson Bay white wolf

Bundle!!!

grey wolf enclosure

One of the bonus attractions...

Roo particularly enjoyed the Dinosaur Show exhibit where an enclosure of life size dinosaur models, including a fearsome T-rex, comes to life every hour, on the hour. Right next door was a very clever parrot that is also a master mimic. He happily chirped, wolf whistled, did mobile phone ring tones and the most convincing seagull impression for his audience.

The highlight for me, apart from the wolves, which were simply magnificent, were the otters.
When we first arrived at their enclosure we could only see two of them on the far side of the river but they quickly spotted us watching them and trotted over, joined by the rest of the clan, and entertained us with their playfulness and adorable squeaks and cat-like meows for a good 15 mins while I took pictures...

Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park was a great day out* with plenty to see (although we didn't see the lions as they were sleeping at the far side of their enclosure) and do. The park was recently taking under new management and the new owners are working on updating attractions and enclosures. They also hold regular talks and displays throughout the day - don't forget to check out the notice board near the entrance. We will definitely head back next time we stay in the area - if only so I can get some film of the adorable otter family!!

*here's a tip - whether you are staying on a campsite or hotel check out all the leaflets of local attractions usually found in the foyer/reception area. We found one that entitled us to one free child entry to the park with two paying adults, perfect for our family - it saved us a tenner!  The park also offered a deal whereby full paying entrants get 50% off a return visit.

Sunshine days are numbered...

Apparently this is the week the weather will break. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow but definitely very soon.

I am not surprised. We are off on holiday on Wednesday - just a few days down in Devon, near Ilfracombe - so of course this glorious sunshine is going to end just in time for our once a year trip to the seaside.

 *sigh*

Actually it may not be that bad but I am not counting my chickens and making sure I pack plenty of activities for Roo. Just in case...

Yesterday, however, was glorious so we had a little day out with Nonny and Roo's Great Great Auntie. We stayed local, calling by at Lydney harbour (we'll be coming back with a picnic later in the holidays!)...

one boy and his Nonny

A log bench with rope carving

boats!

exploring the locks

view down the River Severn from sea gate

...then on to the park. There is a great little cafe here, plenty to keep Roo occupied and some lovely flower beds, mature trees and a pretty fountain to look at. I even managed to get my crochet out while Roo was playing :-) Unfortunately there is nothing like this in our home town and we have to travel 20 mins or so in the car (when we can get a lift) or catch a bus. But it's well worth it!

Big slide!

monkey boy...

at the top

swings and shadows

me and my shadow...

We had a really nice day. Fingers crossed it's not the last day of summer...

Dick Whittington Farm Park

During the holidays we took a trip down the road to Little London to visit Dick Whittington Farm Park (formally known as the Mohair Centre)

It was packed (as we were expecting as it's school holidays) but luckily for us most of the visitors seemed happy to stay in the indoor playcenter with all it's climbing frames, big slides and ball pits rather than brave the freezing wind.

feeding the goats

hello!

Unfortunately we weren't able to bottle feed the lambs today (one of the reasons we went!) because they were having their inoculations but we did get a sneaky peak at them all huddled together in their warm and cosy stall...

There are plenty of other animals to see too including llamas, pigs, Shetland ponies, plenty of rare and unusual breeds of chickens and pheasants, even a huge turkey! They also have a couple of rescue owls and a reptile house with various lizards, tortoises, terrapins and fish and another small barn housing small furry creatures - guinea pigs, rabbits and rats.  I know they have animal 'discovery' sessions where various animals are brought out for children to handle or just get a closer look.

this little piggy...

amazing colours on this iguana

chickens

Roo in the reptile house admiring lizards

farm cat doing the most sensible thing on a cold day...

cute fluffy chicks!

As we headed back to the play barn so the kids could run around like loons while we drank coffee we were treated to this spectacle of a peacock showing off for the missus (who seemed pretty unimpressed to be fair) I was impressed though!

Hey lady Peahen! Look at me!

no, really, LOOK AT ME!

Has she gone? Oh. *tail down*

Even Roo was inspired to take a picture...

Roo. Doing what mummy does....

We spent another hour and a half inside - unusually for a tourist attraction like this they are quite happy for you to bring a packed lunch although there is a cafe selling hot food, sandwiches and drinks.

Dick Whittington Farm Park is all about the kids - it's the only place I have ever been too where the adult entry fee is less than the kids entry fee. Even better, until the end of June, every adult coming with a paying child gets in free!

If you are ever in the area I heartily recommend a visit - it's no major tourist attraction, all plastic and shiny, and a little off the beaten track but all the better for it!

A day out to the Zoo!

Last week me and the Little Man spent a few days at my parents house eating well, playing in the garden (yes, the sun appeared!!!!) going for walks along the canal and generally just taking a break from the routine. My dad has mentioned before how much he would like to take the Little Man to the zoo but, to be honest, I didn't feel he was really ready to appreciate it fully until this summer. So we took one day out of our break to head across the Severn Bridge and visit Bristol Zoo Gardens.

We arrived at about 10.45 to see the car parks were full and queue about half a mile long at the entrance! Luckily for us we were travelling with my mum and her wheelchair so we were able to get a special parking spot close to the entrance and, because we had pre-booked our tickets online we avoided the queue too! (plus you get an extra 10% discount so it's well worth remembering!)

The Gardens are beautifully laid out and we were blessed with lovely weather which made the whole experience much more pleasurable!  Yes, it was busy, but we expected it to be. There was more than enough space for everyone to enjoy their picnics and, with the exception of the nocturnal house which was dark (well, duh!) and humid and quite frankly I couldn't wait to get out, nowhere was over crowded and manoeuvring a wheel chair around the place was pretty easy too.

Food and drink available to buy on site (from cafe/restaurants/booths and vending machines dotted about the place) was over-priced, as you would expect, but take a picnic along and this is, overall a pretty cheap family day out. And it's educational too!!  Just be aware that you have to walk through the gift shop to get out and if you are watching the pennies then put blinkers on the kids as you walk through or I guarantee you will be going home with a collection of cuddly meerkats and plastic dinosaurs!

Here a few of my favourite pictures from the day. . .   Enjoy x

snoozin' is what us Lions do best!

Dinosaurs roam free at Bristol Zoo!

T-Rex (scarily huge)

the seals were mostly asleep...

but they still managed to captivate the Little Man

beautiful Silver back Gorilla had his 'I've just woken up' face on...

even the meerkats were trying to nap!

...although there is always one left outside, keeping watch

butterflies feeding - these were about the size of my hand!

LM with Alfred - one of Bristol Zoo's first, and most famous, Gorillas

gorgeous snuggly ring tailed Lemur. Also napping. Hmmm.....

Please visit the 'Bristol Zoo Gardens' photo album on the Tales from Mount Pleasant Facebook page for loads more gorgeous pictures of the zoo's inhabitants. Some of them are even awake!!! ;-)