A record of our trips, adventures, mishaps and successes in our endeavour to get the ultimate image, one that is sharp, in focus and of the subject we were after :). Friends we have made and met and hopefully encourage you to visit some of the places we have.
Blogs we link to:
On Friday 16th July the Intrepids along with a guest paid a visit to Amazonia at the M&D Theme Park. Amazonia is Scotland's Largets Indoor Rain Forest (See their web site). It has Monkeys, Reptiles, Spiders, Birds and fish as well as butterflys.
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Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park, Kirkcudbright at first glance looks to be a small place. However, I'm very pleased to say that first impressions was very wrong. It turned out to be a lot larger that first impression gave and is well worth a visit. It has a large collection of animals and all gave the impression they were well looked after.
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On the 11th July 2011 the Intrepids ventured out of their comfort zone of the East Side of Scotland and headed West to Ken Dee Marshes then Kirkcudbright to visit Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park. The weather was not too good as we set off - rain, then heavy rain and our spirits were a bit down. However, we made our way and we were rewarded with sunshine at our destination.
Ken Dee marshes is a RSPB reserve and proved to be worthwhile in visiting - Sid and Susan managed to get a few good shots of Woodpeckers, Willow Tits, Swans etc - alas I was not so fortunate as I had problems that day with my usage of a camera, I did get a couple of reasonable shots:
We spent a pleasant two hours at the mershes before heading for our ultimate destination Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park.
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As followers will recall at this time my mother was bedridden with Lung Cancer and I was being given respite by the good nurses from Marie Curie – and it so happened Eleanor Turnbull – one of the regular nurses had agreed to look after my mother to allow me to meet with my three good friends Susan, Sid and Rebecca along with our mascot Hogey.
The country park is a short drive from my house or a good 15 minute stroll along the river – we took the quicker option. As usual we were lucky with the weather despite the forecast for rain. It is a nice 2 mile stroll to the visitor centre along the river path and wooded areas. Our sadly missed mascot (another story) enjoyed himself in the walk out and the walk back. He explored the muddiest part of the river, chased rabbits and scoffed cakes given to him by my mother.
What do you do on a rainy, foggy or driecht day? Two of the Intrepids headed for the Chamber Street Museum or to give it its proper name “National Museum of Scotland”. We often visit this museum and it is well worth a visit. However, please allow yourself time to enjoy all the exhibits. At the time of writing this blog only half of the museum is opened as the other half is undergoing a complete renovation. The renovated area is expected to open summer of 2011.
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An extract from the Official Web Site “The House of the Binns stands as a living monument to one of Scotland’s oldest families, the Dalyells, who have lived here since 1612. The family home of the Dalyell family for nearly 400 years. The house was gifted to the NTS in 1944, along with the Parkland, contents and an endowment, under the Country House Scheme by Eleanor Dalyell, who retained the right of the family to live in the house”.
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The last time The Intrepids visited Edinburgh Zoo was 31 st January 2010. Regretfully this visit to the zoo was one of disappointment. We have been getting an impression of dilapidation over the last few visits.
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On Friday 23rd May 2010 two of the Intrepids and a probationary member headed for the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. In other words Susan, I and my young cousin Caitlyn went out for a couple of hours. A nurse had taken on the task of caring for my mother.
The Royal Botanic Gardens consist of four remarkable Gardens. Together they represent one of the world’s largest living collections of plants. (For more information click here)
This was not our first visit and it is well worth a visit, not only are the gardens lovely the site is a wonderful park and is very popular with the local residents. I would recommend you allow plenty of time to stroll through the gardens and the hot houses.
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