Kingfisher!

I'm determined to put a shot of a kingfisher in my journal for this canal holiday and this Kookaburra might be the only one I see!

There was a bit more ice on the marina today after a cold night. Kat & G went for a walk to Tixall wide and came back with reports of how thick the ice was on the canal ahead. That was our decision made. Solace would be staying in the marina today.

A quick search of the internet revealed a Garden and Wildlife Centre a few miles away at Eccleshall. The Gentleshaw Wildlife Centre turned out to be very interesting as it wasn't just a typical business out to make money. It was a centre for rehoming birds and animals confiscated from owners who had treated them badly, keeping them in appauling conditions.

The two kukuburras had come from a zoo which had had to close but the "wolves" were a case of stupidity of breeding. They are classed as "dangerous animals" so can't be kept as pets, but neither can they be released into the wild as they aren't pure bred to be accepted into wolf packs. I've put a shot of Saxon and a description of their plight in Extras. The other extra is a cute little American kestrel. 

We then had a nice cuppa in the adjoining Garden Centre tea room. A very good trip out on a day when we couldn't take the boat out.