The Long Awaited Day 40

So, I didn't blog my Day 40 photo of the day and that's because there is more than one photo to share.  It was forecast a bit chilly and windy so we went off to Rio Safari with a bit of trepidation.  This was unfounded as it turned out to be a lovely day, sun shone, lions roared etc.  As zoos go, this is not one of the best although I must say it is much improved since the last time I visited which was about 5 or 6 years ago (maybe even longer).

We saw ...

tigers - of which I am a little diappointed that I clipped his ear

A Giraffe being fed by Charlotte

And on it's own

A dromedary

Some Jaguars - with enormous feet - would have liked these at home - just right for warming my feet on in front of the fire.

And a wee beastie either an Iguana or a Karma Karma Karma Chameleon - I forget now

There were of course lots of other animals and birds too.  The sea lion show was pretty impressive - I mean who doesn't love a sea lion.  The male ostrich appeared to be completely smitten with Nattie and proceeded to give her a quick mating dance display every time she went near - much to our delight - obviously pleased to see another long legged bird. Lllamas, pygmy hippos, dwarf goats, snakes, aligators, crocodiles and assorted deer type things and not to forget the chimpanzees on their island, which I'd not seen before

The only disappointment was the lack of Babati the elephant who had gone to the vet for a routine check up.  All in all, a good day out and I've since discovered that there are lots or promotional offers for discounted entrance tickets.  Using my Ikea card would have got me 50% off.  Oh well, I know for next time.

Silent Sunday

There's a rat in me kitchen what am I gonna do?

Actually it's a mouse in the logburner.

Or should that be two?

There are in fact three - but you know - never work with children and animals applies especially to photography.  

It proved impossible to photograph them through the front glass, so what's a girl to do but open the door.

Fortunately, this one went back inside and they can't actually exit the log burner.  I'm hoping that they will exit the way they came in, but if they keep getting fed hamster food, I can't see that happening too soon.  Got to love animal loving girlies!

The Rhinoceros I found in my Shed

I know you're waiting for communion and end of year dance show pics, and they are coming.  But, I just had to show you this.  Rather stupidly, I decided to clean out the garden shed today.  Well, it was 30°+ and the shed has a metal door and no window, when I came across this

I think it is a European Rhinoceros Beetle or Oryctes nasicornis.  If you know differently, please let me know.

Mouse Trap

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you will know that we have a lot of animals, ponies, dogs, chickens, rabbits etc.  This in turn means a lot of animal feed, which also means a lot of mice, like 100's of mice.  It was time to get tough and a run of the mill mouse trap was not going to work, there were far too many.  Poison was not a good idea, with fed about and those sticky mat things - yuk!!

So, I let it be generally known that I was looking for a cat :-)  One day, these two showed up

They settled into the feed store nicely and not a sign of a mouse.

Then my friend Susana turned up with

He/she joined in with the other two and although they were a little standoffish to start with quickly made friends.  Still no mice and threee kittens, perfect.

A few days later, Saturday morning and I was in the shower, the door bell rang and the girlies went to get it.  A few minutes passed and they came thundering back in - Who was it? I asked - Oh a man in a grey van with two cats for you, we've put them in the shed with the others!!!

 

So, there we have it, me, a completely no cat person, now the owner of five gorgeous kittens and a mouse free feed shed.

San Anton

So, on Sunday we went into Orihuela for the fiesta of San Anton. San Anton is a "barrio" or neighbourhood of Orihuela and San Anton is it's Patron Saint. There are lots of colourful stalls selling special sweets, that are typical for these fiestas.


Inside the small church, they held a special mass


and afterwards, the priest came out to bless all the animals that people had brought along.


There were dogs



clothed dogs


Cats on leads

Cats in doll's prams


Goats

and ponies.


After the blessing there was the International competition of Charlatans or market traders!! Managed to watch one, but then we went in search of refreshments!!


At the other end of the table to the above Charlatan, was a big wooden strong box. If I'd had a bigger handbag...