Holiday's Part Two

Holidays Part Two

Week two of our Family Holidays consisted of a few days at home (doing absolutely NOTHING -    ), and then a few days, out and about, inclusive of a visit to my Brother - in - law near Leicester. After some discussions, we decided to have a couple of Day Out trips, one to Twycross Zoo, and then, the following day, a visit to the National Tramway Museum at Crich in Derbyshire.

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Twycross Zoo

It was Thursday, so it must have been the Zoo.Firstly, before I post the piccy's (or some of the better ones least ways) I have always been a bit nervous of the concept of Zoo's. I have, as far as possible, been a believer in the concept that Animals belong in their own surroundings. Before people start "commenting" , I'm also well aware that Mankind, amongst other circumstances, has been the major "issue" to many animals not having anywhere to go.

But it still makes me nervous.

I, like most people, have several favourite animals. Meerkats and Prairie Dogs are amongst them

I'm told that that the chimps for the Tetley Tea Adverts came from twycross Zoo. And Apes and Monkeys were obviously a large part of the work that this Zoo carries out

I just felt (and I'm probably wrong as the signs around the park used to say) that this Orang was looking a little sad - but, if you read the signs the "sad" look actually means that the Apes and Monkeys are fine. If they have a "smile" they are, apparently, under stress (the showing of teeth is an act of aggression)

You should have heard the "oohhs" and "arrghs" when people saw the real Monkey (or should I say Monkeys) involved below. In the pen there were a mixture of Black and Ginger coated animals, hopping from one pole to another. Then, from the back corner, another Ginger Furred animal appeared.

And then, our Laura saw that the Monkey was not alone. It was a mother and Baby

This bothered a few of the people stood around, although, of course no one could enter the pen and sort it out (below)

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The Crich Tramway Museum

I came to this sight a very long time ago as a young Scout. And my memories of then, compared with what we saw there now, everything was so different.

I know that some people don't see the point in looking at old types of transport (and to some extent I can see that argument myself) But Crich (and The National Railway Museum at York) are about more than the hardware. They are about the history, the people,the lifestyles that went with the Trains and Trams involved. I would recommend them both to anyone

And what's more, you not only get to look at well looked after pieces of history, you can ride on them too (Am I sad - or what?  )

This image is a bit "odd" for me. If you look over my "little boys" shoulder (Little - that's a good one) you will see the strap belonging to my "new" Nikon D70. So I had to take this picture with the "old" Fuji s5000 - still not bad though?

Although this was an image taken earlier in the day, you just couldn't stop all the kids (and that included several 40 + year old "kids") from wanting to ride on the open top deck.

As you can. For the second time in two days, my lad captured me on "film" (is that the right description for a digital picture?).

Hope you enjoyed the short skip through some of our holiday snaps

Holidays Part One

Hi Guys

have been away for a week or two on leave (and I have also had my first week back at work - what a "blessing" that is - NOT  ).

All that said, the holiday could be said to have been split up into several part :

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The Lake District

This was the main family holiday, and it was just what the doctor ordered. No hassles. No worries and plenty of time to take in the sites.

Below are some of the photo's - hope you like them.

This is photo, taken by my beloved, showing me doing what I'm fairly good at.

(And for those who need to know, the good looking lad on the left is my Son - I'm the other one trying desperately to hide behind the camera -  )

 

 

These are, of course, the world famous Red Arrows.
This fly past is, apparently, the RAF's way of saying thank you to the people of the Lakes for allowing them to practice their low flying techniques.

 

 

 

 

This is just a view out across the lake.

Its very hard to explain the beauty of all the land, the mountains that surround you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left are my kids - paddling.

They never grow up do they. Whether its by the sea, or by ANY set of water.
If there's a safe "beach" they will paddle

 

 

 

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The final two images are from our visit to the World Owl Trust's main complex, housed in the grounds of the stunning Muncaster Castle (previously visited, I later remembered by my favourite program - Most Haunted)

If you have the chance (and to be honest it is a bit out of the way in some ways) you really should try and make a visit here. I could imagine that it's obvious charms would be completely transformed by a good burst of sunshine. The view from the front door of the castle is breath taking.

To be honest, weather wise, it was evil. I know the Lakes and the mountains can be rugged and windy.

But the rain didn’t just fall, it was more than that. It was possibly the worst rain shower that I have EVER seen. Luckily it quickly passed to; firstly showers, and then , later in the morning (or was it early afternoon?) it just gave way to cloudy skies and a very stiff breeze.

 

Isn't our friend on the left absolutely beautiful?

One of the reasons we joined The World Owls Trust was to play some small part in their protection and welfare (and those of the other Owls species around the world). We should all try,I think least ways, to try and preserve what we have.

If we continue to destroy them, we also destroy part of our selves.

Part two, or more accurately week two, of our holiday to follow