Sallygardens Smallholding

Dublin Zoo

We set off to Dublin Zoo, probably for our third time in a year. On arrival I kicked myself for forgetting the pram for my two year old and dreaded carrying her around all day. Actually, I must remember to forget the pram more often. She ran around the entire zoo and I had trouble keeping up! The enclosures these days are enormous, and each one has several windows at various levels to suit children and former children of all ages. We made it to the African Plaines where we opted for the thrill of the zoo train guided tour, which is a great idea for getting the little ones around as much of the zoo as possible. Hey, did you know that chimpanzees can’t swim because they have such dense body muscle and hardly any fat, so they sink, oh, and it takes two hours to boil an ostrich egg … and, and, and the Maribou Storks legs are hollow inside.

Bring a picnic, theres plenty of lovely spots to eat, including picnic benches at the playgrounds. No need to worry about finding a bush, there are enough toilets dotted throughout for even the most frequent toddler … I know! Theres also a good restaurant with everything from sandwiches to Thai curry with a view onto an active meerkat colony. Having been to Eagles Flying recently, the kids were disappointed that they couldn’t touch the rabbits, guinea pigs and goats in the Zoos pets corner. The Zoos Discovery Centre made up for that because there they got to touch the skull of a ‘hypnobottamus’ and put their hands in a crocodiles mouth!

For me returning to this Zoo where I came as a child, its wonderful to see the improvements, but also great to see some of the surviving beautiful architecture that gives parts of the zoo a fantastic sense of history.

Tip : In the summer arrive before 11am to find parking nearby and avoid entry queues. Better still, get the no. 10, 25 or 26 bus. The Dublin Zoo website gives great directions and information about events at the zoo, including ‘meet the keeper’ details.

Review of Eagles Flying

I follow a saying my cousin said recently, ‘if its meant for ye it won’t pass ye’. So having loosely decided to visit Eagles Flying the previous day, we ambled through lunch and wondered, in a very non-constructive kind of way, how we would get our hands on the phone number. Luckily Nana being a 21^st Century kind of Granny, went on-line and Googled the necessary information. Next and final demonstration that day was scheduled for 3pm, it was 2pm and at least a 50 minute drive. Dan and I glanced at each other, each mentally assessing the length of time for manic packing, organising of children and pets. Could we do it? No, so we jumped into action nonetheless and by 2.20 we were heading off. We arrived at 3.10pm. Knowing the family running the venture were German, it was a safe bet to say that the demonstration would have started on time! We were on the verge of abandoning mission and carrying on to the beach, but Dan in his wisdom coerced us out of the car and we strove up the track to the outdoor auditorium. We had missed the beginning but were allowed to go in at a suitable juncture which ensured our scalps weren’t ripped off by an alarmed bird of prey with our untimely entry! Lothars commentary is laced with intriguing facts punctuated with superb dry wit, his own and his families passion for the birds is contagious. The commentary itself is enough to keep an audience spellbound, and the addition of these beautiful birds makes the whole experience one to remember. Falcons, vultures, owls and eagles swooped to and fro inches above our heads. The birds were taken to the spectators to show each and every person these magnificent creatures at often unnervingly close quarters which left us awed by their magnificence. As Lothar explained ‘don’t touch the bird unless you plan to feed it’ ie with a finger! After the show the children indulged in cuddling newborn rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, chicks, friendly ferrets and even a tame rescue hedge hog. This is one of our favourite places to visit in the West. I can’t wait for another house guest to come so we have an excuse to go back again. Memo to self : plan outings at least a day in advance.