Sunday 16 February 2014

A blue sky day

The sky looked like this all day today...


so the middle boy got his birthday treat of a trip to Cotswold Wildlife Park.  It's somewhere we've been before, and the boys really enjoy it.  A mix of animals, play areas and lots of space for running around.

First stop, penguins.


This one didn't have a head.


Those of a nervous disposition when it comes to snakes should look away now.  This black mamba came right up to the glass and followed the littlest boy around.


I was transfixed by it.  It's extremely venomous, killing a human in a matter of hours, and in some cases under an hour.  Unless there's treatment with anti-venom a bite from a black mamba is fatal.  100% of the time.  It's aggression is unpredictable and it's the fastest moving snake in the world.  It's been referred to as death incarnate.  Altogether terrifying.  But fascinating as well, especially to small boys.  Let's go outside for some air.



One of the loveliest creatures there - the wolf.  I'm not that keen on seeing big animals in captivity, but to see them at close quarters was such a privilege.  


More snowdrops, this time fancier frilly ones.  In fact there were a few different varieties dotted about.


Before we left there was just time to shin up a tree.  If you look closely you can see the biggest and the littlest, who is very intrepid and not at all bothered by being twenty-five feet off the ground.  How happy it made them all to find the perfect tree for climbing.


On the way to and from the park we passed a bit of flooding.  This was near the River Thames at Lechlade.  It gave me pause for thought.



Hoping you are all safe and warm and dry, wherever you are.

And thanks for identifying that plant for me.  It sounds as though it will be perfect for the front garden.  Apologies for not replying to any questions in the comments at the moment, for some reason I can't.  No idea why.  I'm hoping that one day it magically resolves itself.  In fact this is very much my approach to life.  Working so far.

42 comments:

  1. This looks like a wonderful place to visit, and a perfect choice for a boy's birthday treat. My kids would enjoy it there. I love the shot of your little guy taking a photo of the penguin, they look like fast new friends. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like a fun day for you all - glad the weather was good for it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It does look like a fun place ... and though I am NOT AT ALL a snake lover, I admit the black mamba's fascination. It's rather a nice pearly grey, isn't it?

    What a very gorgeous tree for climbing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. The mamba is quite handsome. Look at those EYES! Beautiful and DEADLY! I love the wolf. Looks like he has been playing in the mud.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a lovely place to visit friend...looks perfect for kids! And such a pretty garden there as well! Now does that penguin really have no head?!?! How does it survive?!?! And I have never heard of a black mamba before...very interesting! I am praying that it stays dry for you all. All the best friend...Nicole xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh, what a fun place to take your boys! The snake gave me pause as my uncle was a snake lover and had rattlesnakes.. one time he called me over for a hug and a snake head shot out of his shirt and hissed at me.. I ran right up the wall in fright! Gorgeous photos, my friend. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. That black mamba has the distinct expression of a snake that has seen a prospective lunch!

    When I use reply on my blog the screen shoots up t the top and I have to scroll down to make my responses but at least it works.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It looks like you had a wonderful day. I always head for the reptile house first when we visit a zoo etc., snakes fascinate me, I wouldn't want to touch one though.

    ReplyDelete
  9. So you got our sunny day then? Love the wolf on alert.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I rely on magic every day CJ, it works often. The wildlife park looks like a great place to visit. I see you were lucky with the weather!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It was a gorgeous day yesterday and I'm glad to hear you had such a great day out. I love the Penguin posing for the photo and the Wolf is beautiful, although like you I don't like to see it in captivity, either. The flooded fields are a horrible sight, I so hope we get lots of days like yesterday to dry everything up.

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a fab outing. The penguin in the second photo is a real poser stood there waiting for his photo to be taken, and I love the photo of the headless one. I sometimes have problems leaving replies to comments, I have to go in to the blog through dashboard, give that a try, it might work for you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I can't believe your boys can climb that high! Something that my brother and I never did.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beautiful blue sky!
    It's ages since I've been to the Cotswold Wildlife Park, but from what I remember the gardens are as much of a draw as the animals. Love the penguins.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I expect that your comment thing will sort itself out magically one day - the vagaries of blogger are way beyond me! Looks as though you had a great time out, that tree is perfect for climbing isn't it, I wonder how many people have been up there in the past! Hope that you have a good week. xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. An interesting post and terrific pictures. It's good to see that you enjoyed yourselves.
    Snakes really do give me the heebie-jeebies so I would have stayed well away. xx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hey CJ,

    I love that approach to life. I'm hoping that a similar approach will resolve an issue here too. Wolves are beautiful aren't they? I'm glad your children enjoyed themselves, although I would have had a coronory if mine had climbed that tree!!

    Leanne xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Finally blue sky and good weather to enjoy with family! You took some wonderful and funny photos! Really enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I like that approach - and you are right, it does work ;o) That is a perfect tree for a climbing, btw !

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi, thanks for your comment - you are quite right - I should be thankful that we haven't been getting the rain that you have in the UK. And the snow does provide hours of endless entertainment for the kids.
    Your day out looks wonderful - a head less penguin, that's almost a scary as the black mamba!
    Hope all the rain has gone away and there is not too much flood damage where you live.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your pictures are phenomenal! I almost feel as if I went to the zoo with you!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Love your visit, how blessed you are to have a place like this near you. watch out for that snake, it seems like something out of a Harry Potter movie.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

    ReplyDelete
  23. This looks like such a lovely way to spend the day! It is amazing to see animals up close, but I would have made sure I stayed far away from that snake:) That tree looks like it's out of a fairy tale. I would have loved climbing it when I was younger.

    ReplyDelete
  24. A great day out - with animals happy to pose. I have mixed feelings about animals in captivity. For individual beings it can be terrible. For the world - it's impossible to go beyond story book pictures without a physical hint of the wild beyond. Seeing wild creatures in captivity during childhood can change a person's understanding of the world. And that, ultimately, might contribute to saving the planet.

    ReplyDelete
  25. That looks a great day out in the sunshine and the pictures of the animals are wonderful. Hope the rest of the holidays is just as good. Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
  26. Looks like a great day out and happy birthday to 'middle boy' :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Looks like a lovely day ... and what a perfect climbing tree!

    CJ I sent an email to your Above the River Yahoo email address ... did you get it?

    ReplyDelete
  28. It is a stunning day in Gloucestershire today and the tree's look so inviting, my son loves to climb. I am such a busy person that sometimes you have to just stop and breath don't you.. Charlie

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thank you for your blog...I like gardens, and landscapes, and birds...
    You know certainly " incredible edible " ?

    ReplyDelete
  30. The photograph of the river is lovely. What a peaceful moment after the storm, just like this day seemed to be. It's nice to see you enjoying time outside together. I hope you have a good weekend CJ!

    ReplyDelete
  31. It is always a great moment to discover someone else in the three boys club, its amazing (or not) how many of us blog! Your photos are wonderful, that's the sort of thing my boys would like, especially the big tree to climb, especially my middle boy(8), he asked last birthday if he could have some climbing harnesses! I'm not particularly scared of snakes, but your description made me glad to step outside in the next picture for some fresh air! We have our holidays this week, so will have to think up some days out, only if the weather plays ball! Have a good weekend

    ReplyDelete
  32. Eeeesh!!! I hate snakes!! But the rest of the trip was amazing!
    Tammy xx

    ReplyDelete
  33. Lovely pictures, the park sounds really great, but I would definitely skip the snakes part!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I really enjoyed going along with you on this adventure! What fun you have with your little men! I loved the "headless penguin!" And I do agree with you about large animals in captivity, although the wolves seem to have a large, pleasant space to live in peace. So maybe that's okay this time.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Your blog is absolutely lovely! I started following along sometime back, and I must say your pictures are beautiful. Those penguins are adorable! :)

    Stephanie@crazylittlelovebirds

    ReplyDelete
  36. What a lovely blog you have, you day trip looked really fun and what a fab tree ti climb!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi CJ,

    So nice to meet you!

    Your blue sky day, so full of life's intriguing creatures, from playful to penguins, murderous snakes, to sweet little snowdrops and gorgeous gardens, was a joyful treat! Thanks for the wonderful, guided tour!

    Poppy

    ReplyDelete
  38. What a great Birthday treat and a lovely day out for everybody! And all the more enjoyable with a bit of blue sky and sun.
    It looks a good place to visit, thanks for sharing the photos with us and giving us a taste of it! Glad you had a great time, and I bet one of the highlights for your boys will be climbing so high in the tree!
    Gill

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hey CJ, it looks like you and your family had a fun day out, I love the pictures of the penguins, penguins are my favourite! Thank you for popping by and visiting my blog! Cate, x

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hello there - hope you are ok and enjoyed half term. We've had a few blue sky days here lately and it's been so, so nice. It's like we'd all forgotten what the sun looked like! x

    ReplyDelete
  41. What a perfect day out (apart from the close proximity of the snake!) all boys need is a tree to climb.
    Your outlook to life is just right in my book!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I just stumbled upon your blog and I love how you describe your world and your surroundings. It's refreshing and a great read. It makes me want to move to England!

    ReplyDelete