Eagle Eyed

We are at Center Parcs Elveden Forest, not far from home but at times it has felt like another world.  Clearly a popular holiday experience, there nearly a thousand lodges on this site.  However, by choice on a weekend away, mine will be the only car in the car park.  As I drove past row upon row ... upon row of cars (you have to pass through the car park to reach the lodges) I began to feel like this was a bad dream.  Definitely outside my comfort zone!

We have been treated to this trip (for a small fee) by a youth group Amy goes to.  Several of her friends are also here and she has some organised activity time with them.  Ruth has made a list of all the things she can/would like to do .... we did look at the high ropes and zip wire but these activities which she used to enjoy are currently beyond her :-(   

Despite my initial horrors, there are good things to report, most notably the wonderful staff.  We arrived at the Tropical Pool not long before closing time last night but one of the lads not only helped get Ruth into the water - ramped access and they have wheelchair that goes into the water - but he encouraged the girls to spend time after hours, trying the facilities out.  They had the pool to themselves, a great way to start the weekend.  Today, in very cold, wintry conditions Ruth and I attended demonstrations of Owls and Birds of Prey.  Very interesting and entertaining chat from Keith Mutton, the 'Bird Man' who spends much time around airfields using the trained birds of prey to clear wild birds from runways.  Here an Eagle Owl called Moonlight shows off his wings.

After a couple of hours back in the warm lodge I think I have thawed out now!