Living Life on the Veg

We took Pip and Bruno to the the Otter and Butterfly Centre at Buckfastleigh this morning. My objective was to replicate Robin Goodlad's 'Spin Cycle' which was taken here and which got a Highly Commended in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year. My best attempt is here but I fear I didn't come close to that wonderful photo. The otter in question is a British (Eurasion) otter which was found as an orphan in Ireland but which has been domesticated so is not suitable to return to the wild. Most British otters sleep in the daytime but Sammy is such a show off he enjoys all the attention he gets.

Izzy the Iguana was taken through glass and he's one of many rescued reptiles which have been adopted by the centre because they've outgrown their owners abilities to care for them. He's rather splendid. The organisation helps many injured or rescued otters which aren't on show and engages in breeding programmes with the many types of otter on endangered lists.

The main purpose of our outing and the reference of the title was a meal at the Riverford Field Kitchen. Riverford is an organic farm which specialises in veg boxes and the like. Their Field Kitchen has been getting excellent reviews over recent years winning best 'Casual Restaurant' in this year's Best of the West Awards. You book in and turn up at the place. You get placed on a long table and served your choice of drink then the set meal is served to all with only a choice of meat in the main course or vegetarian. One of my friends described it as 'eat your own weight in vegetables' and it certainly feels a bit like that. Gorgeous puds too.