Our Annual trip to Bristol Zoo Gardens

Finally, the month is up where I have had to inject myself every day with a 'Clexane' syringe to prevent blood clotting after my operation!

So with my new found freedom (just for one more week, we will discuss more in my next blog!) we decide on our annual visit to Bristol Zoo Gardens. My two gorgeous nephews are over for their annual Summer holiday from Dubai (I know...the irony!) and Bristol Zoo is where they want to go every year...and who can blame them?

We arrive at the car park and get our ticket "what a lovely man" says one of the nephews as we head to our allotted space..."and he was very helpful" says the other!

Outside the main entrance stands a beautiful Wow Gorilla Noah, the prettiest Ive photographed so far.

Inside its pretty busy, a lovely sunny day and so many activities for children of all ages to enjoy. Not only the variety of animals but the ginormous inflatable slide, the specialist talks and displays by very knowledgeable and humorous staff...The Kookaburra was brilliant!

As the boys visited the Nocturnal House and Aquarium I went in search of one of my favourites - The Fruit bats. At first you don't quite notice all of them...they hang around just above your head and not just on the netting. Look around and you will see them hanging on the building as well. Covering their little heads with wings that look like they are made of pvc. Fluffy bodies hidden underneath. Oh to just give them a little smooth.

The boys loved the Gorillas, the Prairie dogs, Giant tortoises, Exotic birds and particularly the Otters. Oh and they loved the fact that there were bits of Rat in with them...boys love a bit of gore!

Finally, my ultimate favourite - The Butterfly Forest. For someone who adores butterflies and does what they can to ensure their survival, this was just the perfect end to the day. Large exotic butterflies floating all around. Some stopping to feed on the feeding stations and fresh fruit.

A great experience for adults and children to be amongst these fragile and beautiful creatures. Its also very educational with various stages of the life cycle of a butterfly, clearly visible through the windows of the Conservation rooms.

Lastly, a child hood memory for me rekindled with this old photograph displayed by the now named 'Smarty Plants'. Its how I remember the Monkey Temple. Rhesus monkeys climbing all over this Iconic building!