Alan

Meet Alan the barn owl, looking rather wet and bedraggled!

This morning Rach and I cycled to the Aqua Sana Spa and had a lovely relaxing morning. There was a heated outdoor pool and lots of different rooms such as the Indian Blossom room, Japanese Salt Bath etc., and we finished off with a hand and arm massage.

Scarlett was booked in for an encounter with the Owls at 12.45pm so we left the Spa at 12pm, and Rach asked if I'd take her while she fed Violet. Unfortunately it started raining just as we left and it was the heaviest rain I've seen in a long time. It was quite a walk to the Falconry Centre and although Scarlett was on her scooter it took some time to get there so we both got absolutely soaked!

The Owls were all wet so the guy said they wouldn't be doing any flying, but we were each given a glove and were able to hold them and stroke them. Scarlett was quite amused that this Owl has the same name as Pappy and he was her favourite. It was very difficult holding him and trying to take a photo so I decided on a selfie.

We walked back in soggy shoes which wasn't very pleasant, but got changed and went to Rachel's lodge for something to eat. They said that they'd decided to head home tonight as they'd had enough with the weather and it would be better than putting the girls to bed to just get up and leave in the morning. Also we had plans to meet our friends Karen & Andy for dinner as they live about 30 mins away, so it's not as if we'd have spent the night together.

We had a table booked for 7pm at a pub outside Centre Parcs, so we cycled to the security lodges and asked if there was anywhere we could leave our bikes - we couldn't cycle all the way as we don't have lights. The security guard said he would keep them in one of the lodges for us so they'd be dry, and then asked if we'd like a lift to the main entrance. So Bob took us in his Mini bus which was very kind of him as it saved us a long walk!

We had a great night and a lovely meal - it was actually nice to get off the park. I know a lot of people like Centre Parcs but I don't think it's for us and Rachel said the same thing. So although we've had a nice time together, I don't think any of us will be coming back.

Thoughts are with those in Orlando - yet another act of madness!