Animal Magic w/e at Martin Mere

It was a very busy w/e at Martin Mere, animal magic went ahead despite the recent outbreak of food poisoning relating to farm animals. We had hand wipes, anti-bacterial hand wash and hand hygiene notices everywhere! On reception and meet and greet we also reminded people at every opportunity about washing hands before touching food, I am sure everyone must have been fed up with us before the end of the day!!

We had all the usuals including snakes, hissing cockroaches, spiders, chinchillas, meerkats, a raccoon, huskies, owls and ferrets. The ferrets were walked so much by the children that they had to close for a while to give them a rest! There were giant stick insects but unfortunately one fell off its perch and broke a leg!!!!!!!!

For me this Newfoundland dog stole the show, she is only 9months old but already larger than her neighbours the pig and the pony put together. She was allowed inside the reserve but was kept in a small pen, she was so placid, she just lay down and slept for most of the day.

The meerkat is apparently a house pet hence the harness - mmm now that gives me an idea!

The huskies were very noisy and excitable and for obvious reasons were kept outside the reserve.

The birds of prey were very popular but I chose my time carefully and was allowed in to take my photos - thank you.

This is Boo, he was rescued when he was found to have a damaged wing which was left untreated. He is now unable to fly as he is left with a permanently bent wing. He looked happy enough to me but was a bit camera shy, for ages he would only pose for profile shots.

At last - 'take it quick before I change my mind!!'

This was a case of - 'leave me alone it's been a hard day'

Look at me I'll pose for you!

Notre Dame, Pompidous and street artists

Now I have sorted out the computer I can return to the Paris photos - sorry folks but I have just a few more!

On almost every corner you can find a street artist. Most seem to work really hard and don't mind being photographed as long as you don't try to take pix of their actual work. A few however seem to have a camera phobia and turn their back to you!

Notre Dame stands proudly on the Ile de la Cite. The building took over 180 years to complete (1163 - 1345).

The main entrance comprises three carved portals with biblical scenes representing the life of St Anne, the story of the Last Judgement and the Virgin. The row of statues above is known as the Kings' Gallery

The softly lit chapels were being used by the locals for private prayer and although photos were permitted a flash was not.

Centre Georges Pompidou

It has an "inside out" appearance, the utility pipes are all coloured differently and the escalator tube is red.

Street performers mingle with painters and roller skaters in the Place George Pompidous.

Wizzy the Martin Mere beaver

This is Wizzy the baby beaver at Martin Mere, he is now on view to the public for a few hours each day. He is 14months old and has been hand reared since he was found in a sorry state having been rejected by the rest of his family. He had been attacked by one or more of the other beavers and was found with bite marks all over his body. He was really ill for some time and made numerous visits to the vets whilst being treated for his wounds and the abscesses that developed. Sadly he can not return to his family but will hopefully be found a partner.

He is now allowed out into a playpen for a few hours each day as he continues to improve. It was interesting to see him as I have not been able to see any of the other beavers, even though they have been tempted out with fresh food each day they remain elusive. We can only watch as they rearrange their site by felling trees and building dams all done presumably under cover of darkness!