Animals at the Zoo

It was Miss E's first swimming lesson this morning at the next level. She had been really apprehensive because she had this particular teacher last year and ended up swapping lessons because she didn't like his style - very bam bam bam, come on, faster, zap, zap, zap let's get you to the Olympics!!!!
But she was only six so we hoped she might get on better with him now. And it helped that Miss A's sister has him and said how much she likes him!
So off she went with Mr K this morning and did really well apparently. 
I asked her how it had been with the teacher and she said "in the middle" which is her way of saying - grudgingly - "OK, I suppose!!"
After lunch we decided to go Whipsnade Zoo. It's been months since we last went in the Summer which is ridiculous as we have membership so it's free!
As usual we drove straight to the Lookout Cafe for tea and to let the Little Misses climb into the boot - their favourite thing about going to the zoo!!
We drove down to Africa and went to see the lions.
Ordinarily the lions are all lying down fast asleep and are - truth be told - a little bit dull. Today the male was guarding a huge lump of bloody meat (horse we found out) and roaring and pawing the ground. It wasn't a full on roar more a grumble but it still vibrated right through you and was pretty scary!
Not as scary as the actual lion kill I saw once in Zambia just feet away from me  but pretty dramatic for a day at the zoo!
Lots of the females were prowling round close to the glass and we had such a sense of how huge they are. Their shoulders as high as the Little Misses' heads!!
Miss L had a zebra mask on and had her face pressed right up to the glass. One of the females walked right up to her and I couldn't help but grab her and pull her back!!!
Amazing!!
We sheltered from a shower in the giraffe house. While we were in there one of the giraffes started doing a wee and one of the others bent down, stuck out it's ridiculously long tongue and started drinking it. Uuugghhhh!!!!!
There was such a collective groan of disgust from the adults watching and screams of giggles from all the children. Hilarious!!!
From there we went to see the zebras and flamingoes and then to the adventure playground for half an hour before the sealion show. Miss E spent much of the time on the monkey bars. I don't know where she gets her strength from - I can't even do one monkey bar!!!! See extras for her effortless backwards crossing!
The sealions were fab as ever. They've had a pup since we were last there who managed to steal the show despite not technically being involved!! He was like a naughty toddler!
We walked back to the car, let the Little Misses eat their picnic in the boot and listened to the Grand National as we drove round Asia!
We'd all bet £1 on a horse and Mr K won with Rule the World at 33-1. Whoop whoop!!!! It was an each way bet but he got £21.
Which covers the other bets I made that he doesn't know about!!!
A quick look at all the disgusting creepy crawlies in the Discovery Centre and then it was time for home.
What a fabulous afternoon. We must go more!!