Friday, July 1, 2011

Adventures at a damp and deserted zoo

The District and Supreme Courts are in the middle of their two week winter break, which means a bit of down time for criminal lawyers. Each year, D's work uses some of the time to hold an advocacy course, and this year, for no apparent reason, they held it in the conference rooms at the zoo. On Wednesday morning E and I dropped D off and then braved what looked like yet more rain to put our annual zoo membership to good use.

It was a perfect day to be there. The combination of weekday and weather had obviously put most other people off (without the zoo pass I definitely would not have been game). We got there as it was opening and for the first hour almost literally had the place to ourselves. Little E loved it. She has got the walking gig under control enough that I am happy to let her trot around the more contained areas on her own. I mainly put her in the pram in order to get between areas beacuse although she is quite steady she is definitely not fast. But in the African animals section, the Australian wetlands and the Australian aviary she toddled alongside or ahead of me and loved it. Often she looked back to make sure I was coming along beside her, or held her hand up for me to hold, accompanied by the most heart wrenching little "mumma?" She got to stand right up close to the glass in every exhibit without having to fight hordes of other kids. She pulled at plants and stuck her fingers in puddles. Despite the threatening skies it didn't rain at all. 

It looked and felt as though we owned the place:

Beautiful morning sunshine winning the fight against damp grey sky

Checking out some botanical action on the path between the Australian wetlands and aviary
She trotted as fast as I have ever seen her go down the slight slope on the huge and empty lawn and had a fantastic time playing with a fallen palm frond.

Look at my grown up baby in jeans and hoodie and big girl shoes
Later we sat together in the cafe and had morning tea. E was ridiculously pleased because I let her have the three tiny teddy biscuits that came with my tea. She fell asleep in the car on the way home and slept for two and a half hours. 

I've said before that I can take or leave the zoo, but in these conditions it's an outing I'll gladly repeat.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

How lucky were you to have that weather!

Mrs M said...

nice one, that sounds like my kinda outing

Niki Hudson said...

Sounds like a perfect day! Experiences through the eyes of a child are ever so much more rewarding. Looks like your little one was quite content! :)

Daisy, Roo and Two said...

Sounds like you had a lovely morning! Visiting from Maxabella loves...

Maxabella said...

I really love the zoo, myself. It's a place where children just grow before your eyes. x

Seana Smith said...

Hello there, I do like Perth Zoo a lot, have had a couple of memorable expeditions there with my older boys before the twins were born. My husband would sometimes work in Perth and we'd go for a visit, almways having a trip to the zoo. And how marvellous for you to have it almost to yourselves - ideal.

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