A Zed and Two Noughts

Decided I just couldn't be arsed bothered with work today, having lost so many evenings and weekends of late, to report-writing. So Me, MrsB and J headed off in the last of the morning sunshine to go for a walk and have a bite of lunch somewhere. However, got halfway there and realised no one had any cash, just as some heavy rain set in. This needed quick thinking, so we about-turned and decided Chester was out new destination.

Enroute there, I got to thinking that shops and retail might be too much temptation for me and my girls, so suggested Chester Zoo instead. This was met with great enthusiasm so a new plan was harched. We then remembered that Callum, the son of our friend's the Thomas's was working there as an intern volunteer over the summer, so thought we would try to find him to say 'hi'. I got J to text his sister to find out which animal section he was in: "Oh", said loving sis Rhianna, "he is around the Rhinos, but spends his time shovelling shit all over the place".

What I didn't appreciate was just how expensive zoo's have suddenly become in modern times: " Are you willing to pay an extra 10% to aid our new charity" I was asked at the very pleasent young ticket-desk 'chugger', as well as various other gift aid claw-back devices. All very honourable of course their wonderful Act for Wildlife, but at £52 for the three of us, it just came as a bit of an unexpected shock thats all. So much for my cheap afternoon out.

We did have a great afternoon though, and the rain even kept off in the end. Sadly, we never did get to find Callum and his poo-pile logistics, even though we went to the Rhino talk looking for him. Personal highlights for me today were:

1. Sambava Tomato Frog - Just for it's name and sad expression (See above)
2. Snowy Crowned Robin Chat - That just sat on it's perch singing away and impersonating people's whistles
3. Black Lar Gibbon - That kept repeatedly spinning itself on a line until it was too dizzy to walk.

A nice pint and a couple of wines to cap off our day in the Bull's Head Pub in Mobberley. I had forgot what fun it was not to work.

Postscript: The Sambava Tomato Frog I read back at home is native to Eastern Madagascar, and get the name from their colors and round shape. It seems they also inflate their bodies when threatened. I know that feeling well, but am feeling more relaxed on that now, as according to Radio 4's Today this morning, a recent study of 37,000 Swedish men showed those eating the most chocolate were the least likely to have a stroke.

Finally, kindly offered-up by Dhackett68 is the Goodies Funky Gibbon. Thank you, wish I had thought of that!