A full album of photo are available here

The big change from last time was the “Hunters of the Sky” Birds of Prey show. This was almost worth the park entrance fee on it’s own. I was expecting a couple of birds flying to and from their handler, but there was so much more. A dozen or more birds in the sky at any one time, swooping low over the audiences heads. Other birds demonstrating their intelligence by turning over rocks and going down fake rabbit holes. Along with a very interesting commentary by one of the handlers.

The demonstration is put on my the Hawk Convervancy Trust with the aim of promoting their work. I’ll definitely be playing them a visit on my next trip down the A303.

Their website is Hawk Convervancy Trust.

I downloaded a walk from the internet and started off at Temple Meads where there is a statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel

The walk basically followed the river Avon through the town travelling from east to west.

Next stop was at the Blue Reef Aquarium. I am alway wary after my visit to the one in St Davids, but this one was very good. Little expensive to get in but well worth the money.

Further along, I hopped onto the ferry to cross the river to where the SS Great Britain is located. Another attraction that is well worth the price.

Eventually I reached the bridge, but my journey wasn’t complete, I still had the 74 metre climb up from the river level to the bridge.

There were lots of other great places on the way and I have definitely changed my image of Bristol.

Once again I was able to eat mackerel fillets that had been freshly smoked in a makeshift smoker built out of an old filing cabinet.

The weather was great and the surf the best I’ve seen here.

The day started out very wet with the promise of sunny spells later. I planned the following;

Lakeside to Bowness, Bowness to Ferry House, Walk from Ferry House to Wray castle, Wray Castle to Ambleside, Ambleside to Bownesss, Bowness to Lakeside.

It started to go wrong at Ferry House. When I got there the rain became very heavy and the 2 mile walk to Wray Castle is very exposed. I decided on the spot to take the shuttle bus to Hill Top instead. Hill Top was Beatrix Potters’ House, I had passed it many time before but it’s in the middle of nowhere and the parking is very limited. I have no great interest in Beatrix Potter, it was just because it was there. The shuttle bus seem to be the ideal way to avoid the parking problem.

When I got there I got my ticket, these are timed and mine was for a hours time. Ordinarily this would not be a great problem, except, inexplicably, the shuttle bus doe not run mid day. (normally it’s every 30 minutes). This would have meant, hours wait to get into Hill Top, 15 minutes to walk round it (it’s not very big), hour and a half wait for the next bus, which only seats 18 so there would be a good chance it would be full. So with this in mnid, I cut my losses and just took the bus back to Ferry House.

Back at Ferry House, it was still raining heavily and so I decided to get the boat back to Bowness where I could pick up the boat to Ambleside and get to Wray Castle from there.

I stopped for a bit in Bowness and had an excellent lunch, then caught the boat to Ambleside.

When I got to Ambleside, it turned out the with the timetable to Wray Castle, I would have missed to last boats back to Bowness and Ambleside.

I had a great day, but never did see Hill Top and it’s the last time I try. Also Wray Castle was a missed opportunity as it’s shortly to be closed and redeveloped as a hotel.

It’s very well laid out and they have a lot of exhibits.

It had stopped raining, but there was a lot of flooding, but this is an idea walk as much of it is through woodland. It’s a circular walk and it’s uphill all the way there, but downhill all the way back.

The thing is huge and you can see it on the horizon long before you reach the visitor centre. The Visitor Centre is a bit of a disappointment – with just a gift shop, cafe and single exhibition room. Outside, the only thing you can see and get close to is the Lovell Telescope; there are other telescopes on the site but you can’t get near them as they are in use. There are a few things scattered around the site but nothing to keep your attention for long. You can see everything on offer within 10 minutes of entering the facility. There is also a garden you can walk around which will take up another 20 minutes or so.

So was it worth the visit? I think so, just don’t expect a day out,

Next a stop off in Penzance.

Never been too impressed with this place and this was no different.

Ended the last day in Cornwall at Marazion and St. Michael’s Mount.

After lunch back at the cottage, walked down to the beach at Polurrain and spent some time relaxing

Took in Ann’s pasties in the Lizard and unlike my last visit they had some! – very nice.

By the evening the weather had started to improve and we were treated to this rainbow over the cottage.

Headed east towards Botallack.

Then lunch and a stroll along the promenade at Sennen Cove.

And finished the day at Wheal Peevor – a World Heritage site, marred by inconsiderate dog owners who have decided to use the place as a dog toilet and leave it all over the paths.

Had lunch and spent the afternoon in Falmouth.

Then after lunch, spent the remainder of the day at the Seal Sanctuary in Gweek.