When we awoke this morning, the temperature was -2°C. There was frost everywhere but it was clear and sunny. After a good full English breakfast at our accommodation, we set of for Noah's Ark Zoo Farm. It was still only 2° when we arrived there. As has been the case at the other zoos we have been to, it was good to meet some animals new to us as well as some old favourites.
An alpaca
Some of the ponds had frozen over during the night. The level of the ice is above the water because there is a recycled cascade that was turned off over night. When it was turned on again this morning, the water level dropped.
Although it is harder to see, the surface of this pond had frozen over too.
I was very lucky to get such a lovely photo of this robin. They don't stand still for long!
A coati takes a morning stroll
I think this lion enjoyed the sunlight as much as we did!
A capybara enjoying the sun too.
Some animals, including this llama, were reluctant to come out of their shelters.
To get a ride on this rather unusual slide, one enters the elephant's mouth...
...and exits through its... well, you can see!!
"Have you seen my eyes? I know I had some once!"
A Bactrian camel
You may remember seeing a photo of a stuffed East African Crowned Crane earlier in our trip. It was nice to see one non-stuffed and alive today!
A Chook
An African Grey Hornbill
A turaco - they are native to Eritrea, Ethiopia and South Sudan
A Green Iguana - a native of South America
Crocodile Monitors are native to Papua New Guinea.
A Nile Crocodile
Gerbils come from Africa and Asia. They like desert habitats.
It's only a cow but I liked it.
"Kelsey", the common kestrel
A Harris Hawk
A Barn Owl
"Just exactly what do you mean by 'There's no more food until tomorrow?' " (A Ring Tailed Lemur)
An Alexandrine Parakeet (from India and nearby countries)
We had planned to visit Tyntesfield House on the way back but, when we got there, the sign said they had no more tickets for the house today. When we saw about 20 buses lined up in the carpark, we understood why! A little further on, a sign on the road led us here:
St.Bartholomew's, Failand, is not old by English standards having been built between 1883 and 1887 but it was still well worth a visit.
I presume this is St.Bartholomew looking out from above the door.
The clock was made by the same firm that made the clock in Westminster Palace (The Houses of Parliament). Apparently it has exactly the same movement as the more famous clock which includes the bell "Big Ben".
The Nave - we were fortunate that there was a couple at the church cleaning out the bell tower, otherwise the church would have been locked.
The organ. This is the first organ that I have played in England. It is completely "tracker action" (meaning that it has no electric parts apart from the blower). It's old and a bit "clunky" but still produces a lovely sound.
This window of Jesus knocking on the door is based on the famous painting by Holman Hunt.
This carving was opposite the one below in the church. There was no indication of why they were there.
St.Bartholomew, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, was, according to tradition, flayed alive, crucified and then beheaded. His symbol is three knives.
No eagle in sight on this lectern!
Each little church has its own surprise. This one has a very impressive tapestry of the Canterbury Tales. It was designed and embroidered by Edwin Hayes of Capel Curig, Snowdonia. It took nine years to complete and includes sixty animals!
The Rose Window
The West Window, although quite plain, is still beautiful, especially with the tree behind it.
After St. Bat ho lo mew's we went to the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
We checked the opening times for the nearby Clifford Observatory and found that it closed at 4:00pm. I was NOT pleased when we arrived at 3:47pm only to be told that the last entry was 3:45pm. The rather snotty teenager with a ring in her nose would not be moved. SO not impressed!
There were some lovely views to be had as the last of the sun disappeared over the horizon.
The River Avon flows through this, the largest gorge in England.
We got back to the Cathedral in time for a cup of tea before Evensong at 5:15pm. This service was sung by the girls and men of the choir. The music was performed at a very high standard and included the responses by Leighton. The setting for the canticles was Dyson in F and the anthem was E'en So Lord Jesus, Quickly Come by Manz. After dinner at... Toby's Carvery, we arrived back "home" at 7:30pm which gave plenty of time for writing the journal.