Zoo!

On Saturday we met up with Grannie, Grandpa and Auntie Jude at Chester Zoo.  We were incredibly fortunate as 1) it didn't rain and 2) ALL the animals came out to play.

Tom did really well considering he had all his close family to hand and didn't seem at all overwhelmed, in fact he spread his love really well, sharing his time quite equally between everyone, apart from wanting to go to the loo every 20 minutes and getting tired towards the end of our time there, he was really well behaved.

First stop was the elephants - including some little dumbos - they were fed inside and then plodded outside for us.  Next stop was the giraffes - my favourite, it was too cold for these to be outside, we found them munching away in their house - there was a baby there, but already quite tall.  

Next stop was the reptile house and then the jaguars.  Both jaguars were out and about playing.   One on top of a tree stump and the other prowling - Tom was engrossed with the 'cat' so we stayed a while watching them.

Tiger family - Chester Zoo

We then stopped for lunch - paninis and cakes all round - Tom did best of all as he had a bit of everyone's sandwiches - and ate everything without any bother: he was sitting next to Grannie and Grandpa so was on his best behaviour. I was sat next to him but was told in no uncertain terms that I had to vacate so Grandpa could sit next to him - I know my place!

Once suitably refreshed we headed to the Orang utans who were out playing and swinging - including some babies - they were very entertaining. 

Sleepy cub

We then found our way to the tigers and believe it or not the two tiger cubs were out right in front of the viewing platform - we couldn't believe our luck.  They were sooooooooo cute - the two cubs were playing with each other, one got pushed off the platform and became a bundle of fur on the ground.  We spent quite a while watching them, then Tom saw the monorail and decided he had to go on it - so the two grandfathers were sent with him and the rest of us walked.

We went to the monkey house - where Tom learned to 'oo - oo - oo - oo' and swing his arms like a monkey (thanks for the lesson Auntie Jude).  By this time he was getting grumpy and we decided to make it a day - we had had such luck with everything we had seen, thought it better to leave whilst we were ahead.

Little & Large

We then drove to Auntie Jude's house - Tom fell asleep (even though he was in the front seat) and we managed to successfully transfer him to her bed, however, he turned over and bumped his head on her windowsill so that was that.  We decided that a bit of cake would cheer him up so I got it out, planted 3 candles in it and we all sang happy birthday to him.  It was a test, if he didn't recognise it, no more cakes would come to him.  He passed the test: 'Doctor Yellow!', 'Cake!'. Once he had consumed a slice he perked up and was ready to open yet more presents.  This he did with suitable panache - a lot of train bits and pieces from Grannie and Grandpa - including a signal box, engine shed and tunnel, all of which were very well received.  He got another Driver Ted DVD from Auntie Jude which I'm looking forward to showing him.

Doctor Yellow Cake
(Japanese Bullet Train for those wondering!)

We then had a mad display with his duck which he waved manically in the air and then threw in a random direction.  It was hilariously funny - Grannie was almost crying with laughter at one stage.  Once a reed diffuser had almost got knocked over, we called it a day and said our goodbyes.  Then home, stew, bath and bed.

A really good day and once again we were all shattered at the end.  

Thanks to everyone for Tom's pressies - all have been well received, we are all looking forward to playing with them.