Wonders of the World

Spring was in the air and it was time to pay a trip to see the animals at Edinburgh Zoo. En route we played “what animals do you think we’ll see today?”, and all the charismatic animals you'd expect got mentioned. But zoo’s have changed from when I was young. The diversity is much broader now than ever before and, thankfully, much more emphasis on the welfare of animals and the plight of megafauna across the world. Gone are the miserable looking polar bears and elephants. Replaced by sun bears and pygmy hippos. The kids loved it. We raced from one enclosure to the next, and they experienced a diversity not achieved in any of their childrens’ “At the Zoo” literature. It was a great day out – highlights were the giant pandas, chimpanzees and the tiger. 

We then stayed over in Edinburgh with good friends Prof David and Dr Claudia. The kids love their house – an Aladdin’s cave of books and antiquities – so the diversity of animal life merged into the diversity of the arts. Plus they got spoiled and managed not to break anything of large value (phew), so it all went down a treat. Next day was a trip to the National Museum of Scotland with buttons to safely press to their hearts content and more diversity – mainly of the robotic and mechanical kind. It was worlds of wonder of all kinds all weekend long, topped off with a couple of hardcore hours art and crafting. I’d love to still have that childhood wonderment of the world.

 Monkeys in human suits

 Human in panda suit

One lion

 Three lions

 Never tickle a tiger

And then Grandad paid a visit with excitement of a different kind. Little treats appeared and little Niomi ran the poor, old chap ragged. Luckily the sun shone plenty so it was out into the garden for the first cut of the grass, some spring tidying and a van makeover to prep for our holiday to Mull. We also discovered the highs and lows of sugar with our one (and possibly only) trip to a dessert parlour. One minute everyone was dancing on the ceiling, the next they were sobbing in the corner or trying to kill each other. Wow. Powerful stuff. Happy Mother’s Day! Well…till the saccharides wore off. Messy. This was a wonder of the world I could happily live without. 

 Always ready to 'serve' Grandad

Videoclip: Van Washing

 Sugar Rush I

 Sugar Rush II

 Sugar Rush III

Sugar Crash: The start of the end

Happy Mother's Day