Owl and Monkey Haven

Today we decided to go to the Owl and Monkey Haven on the outskirts of Newport.  It was a really nice place, very new with nice enclosures for the monkeys and owls. Many of the monkeys and owls had been ostracized or attacked within their groups while at previous zoos, though some had been rescued from being illegal pets.

There was a really nice play area for Ethan and Owen to play in while we had a cup of tea/coffee.  At 11:30 they had a "meet the keeper" event with the owl keepers and we were allowed to stroke the chest of a Tawny owl (I think, we were a little late joining the presentation, but the keeper was saying that the eyes are large and all dark indicating that it is a nocturnal animal).  Then the boys were allowed to touch an Eagle Owl owlet, which was 6 weeks old today.  He/she was already developing flight feathers and had tail feathers (they can't easily sex birds of prey).  It was one of a brood of 3 bred in captivity, and they are handling it and training it for things like school visits (and this encounter).

Across the road is a Lavender farm and teashop. Since we had brought a picnic and drinks we didn't visit their tea room, but we had a look (and sniff) around their gardens and gift shop; very nice, we all liked the scent and aromas of real lavender.

It started to rain proper as we were returning to the car (it had sprinkled a little all morning). So we decided to stop there and eat our picnic in the car, while we planned what to do next.  We decided to head back towards the campsite in Thorness Bay, via the supermarket on the other side of Newport.

After returning to the site we changed into our swim stuff and went to the pool.  Alison sat on the side watching and we all played in the pools.  Ethan liked the water slide!

We had a lovely dinner of filled pasta in a creamy tomato sauce, with Caesar salad on the side with olives and garlic bread.  The boys ate really well, especially Ethan, who later also had a slice of bread and butter and an apple too.

Boys in bed by eight o'clock and we watched "Popstar to OperaStar" on TV - some interesting participants including Midge Ure (of Ultravox fame), Cheryl Baker (Bucks Fizz - previous UK Eurovision Song Contest winners), Andy Bell (Erasure), and Melody (from the PussyCat Dolls) (those are half of the 8 that I can remember).

Not bad for our first full day on the island!