Saturday, October 13, 2007
13th October Pili Palas
I am writing earlier than normal - before I wilt!
It has been a nice day but my chesty sinus bug has worn me down.
The weather has been murky and grey again today, so there was no point heading for the mountains.
We drove over the bridge to Anglesey and soon were at the Pili Palas. I have to say that on a dull October day the place did not have the look of a palace - some grey buildings set amongst some scrubby soggy fields.
We paid our money and soon we were in a small hot and humid area with some lovely butterflies fluttering by.
There were not as many butterflies as expected - though later when it was even more hot and humid in there, more appeared.
Anyway we were determined to enjoy ourselves and from the butterfly area we went to various other areas - bird, reptile, lizard, terrapins, pets etc.
Katya had a book and quiz sheet but we decided to do the answers later.
We sat and watched some film about the life cycle of the butterfly and so a some new words were learned, like chrysalis, pupa, metamorphosis and proboscis etc.
Katya was eager to go to the cafe - we all enjoyed a jacket potato, but there was little that to her limited diet was pleasing. But there were some lovely chipmunks running in a cage close by.
Then it was time for the indoor play area. In theory Katya was too tall but there were very few people about to bother. Before long Katya was busy organising 2 small boys to be part of her Lets Pretend game - off the boys went to the shops to buy things for the house area she had created. The three of them played very happily together.
Then we went back to the butterflies and other animals to answer the questions on the quiz sheet. Having learned the word "proboscis" it was good to see how the butterflies used it to feed on nectar or fruit juice.
There is still lots more to do in the work book Katya insisted on having as we went in.
Then of course it was time to walk through the shop - and a need to buy a souvenir arises. We had already talked with Katya and she agreed that she would not spend more than £3. Eventually she bought a sticker book and shiny stickers of bugs and insects of all kinds.
We drove home in the drizzle and have had a quiet time.
I feel in that rotten state that you get with various stages of a cold - and yet know you shouldn't grumble cos its only a cold. Actually I will ask Mr Swinn on Tuesday if he wants me on an antibiotic because so often it turns to a sinus infection which won't shift.
At least I don't need to think about cooking dinner this evening - the oven goes on and the containers of Chinese food will be heated for another tasty meal.
There is supposed to be a dry spell tomorrow, so I guess we will get up early and go to the boot sale on the Anglesey Showground in the morning.
We will drive home after lunch - back down the 300 miles.
Hope you are having a good weekend.
Maybe Roger has a replacement car now.
Right - Katya wants some more bread and butter. Of course anybody could do it, but Grandma cuts it in to shapes of things. Today we have had butterflies and flowers.
It has been a nice day but my chesty sinus bug has worn me down.
The weather has been murky and grey again today, so there was no point heading for the mountains.
We drove over the bridge to Anglesey and soon were at the Pili Palas. I have to say that on a dull October day the place did not have the look of a palace - some grey buildings set amongst some scrubby soggy fields.
We paid our money and soon we were in a small hot and humid area with some lovely butterflies fluttering by.
There were not as many butterflies as expected - though later when it was even more hot and humid in there, more appeared.
Anyway we were determined to enjoy ourselves and from the butterfly area we went to various other areas - bird, reptile, lizard, terrapins, pets etc.
Katya had a book and quiz sheet but we decided to do the answers later.
We sat and watched some film about the life cycle of the butterfly and so a some new words were learned, like chrysalis, pupa, metamorphosis and proboscis etc.
Katya was eager to go to the cafe - we all enjoyed a jacket potato, but there was little that to her limited diet was pleasing. But there were some lovely chipmunks running in a cage close by.
Then it was time for the indoor play area. In theory Katya was too tall but there were very few people about to bother. Before long Katya was busy organising 2 small boys to be part of her Lets Pretend game - off the boys went to the shops to buy things for the house area she had created. The three of them played very happily together.
Then we went back to the butterflies and other animals to answer the questions on the quiz sheet. Having learned the word "proboscis" it was good to see how the butterflies used it to feed on nectar or fruit juice.
There is still lots more to do in the work book Katya insisted on having as we went in.
Then of course it was time to walk through the shop - and a need to buy a souvenir arises. We had already talked with Katya and she agreed that she would not spend more than £3. Eventually she bought a sticker book and shiny stickers of bugs and insects of all kinds.
We drove home in the drizzle and have had a quiet time.
I feel in that rotten state that you get with various stages of a cold - and yet know you shouldn't grumble cos its only a cold. Actually I will ask Mr Swinn on Tuesday if he wants me on an antibiotic because so often it turns to a sinus infection which won't shift.
At least I don't need to think about cooking dinner this evening - the oven goes on and the containers of Chinese food will be heated for another tasty meal.
There is supposed to be a dry spell tomorrow, so I guess we will get up early and go to the boot sale on the Anglesey Showground in the morning.
We will drive home after lunch - back down the 300 miles.
Hope you are having a good weekend.
Maybe Roger has a replacement car now.
Right - Katya wants some more bread and butter. Of course anybody could do it, but Grandma cuts it in to shapes of things. Today we have had butterflies and flowers.
