Welcome to Woodfest Wales Showcasing the World of Wood.Watch the latest high tech forest equipment demonstrated by working professionals.An interactive festival, full of exciting things to do for all the family.Step back in time and see craftsmen and women carrying out traditional Crafts and skills – creating beautiful, facinating and functional art, sculptures, objects, buildings and more….

So was it any good? Well we got there an hour after the opening time, so didnt have to que at all to get in. We managed to get everything we went there for, and dispite the fact that Asha was exhausted after two nights away, we all had a good time.

The cob horses were lovely, and the lads using the trial bikes to ride over  the trees were fascinating.   The Owls, and Falconry display was beautiful.

I have a couple of books about Canals which i shall read to her this week.

She also enjoyed seeing the cows in the fields close up, and the ducks in the weir.. it was lovely, and a pity we didnt have more time at the aqueduct to just sit.. but there is always a next time!

Feeling the drive there and back, was a bit much (we would have had to have left before 8 am to arrive there on time) One of the lovely home education families kindly invited us to stay.. It was amazingly kind of them, and we really do appreciate there generosity, and kindness.

Asha has also thrived on three days of socialisation, which means she really is ready for a few days at home again….

She and her sheba, used to spend much time together, and she was often to pester Steves Dad – Paddy..

Over time we left Birkenhead and moved to neston, where she fell out of the top window.. and managed not to hurt herself. She liked this home,

as it had a good garden to sit in, and wide windowledges which you could nose out of..

Or alternatively one could just sit on the nursing chair and relax!

RIP my little cat, we have spent many a day on my bed together – though your not really allowed, and often your company has been greatly received… I can see you in the garden, and you will always be in my heart, and memory. xxx

Before we went to CLAS today, Asha said her goodbyes to mousey, but the cat was still with us tonight. Before bed tonight, Asha covered the cat up, and told her a story. She also gave her a couple of teddybears to keep her company and some grass from the garden..

I have taken a couple more pictures of Asha and Mousey… Its very sad..

Asha chose to have the rather small and gentle Alpaca, ( (Vicugna pacos) is a domesticated species of South American camelid. It resembles a small llama in appearance. Alpacas are considerably smaller than llamas, and unlike llamas, alpacas were not bred to be beasts of burden but were bred specifically for their fiber. Alpaca fiber is used for making knitted and woven items, much as wool is.)  to lead, and what a great choice it was!

She then changed to having a llama for a while…  (

The llama (Lama glama) is a South American camelid, widely used as a pack and meat animal by Andean cultures since pre-hispanic times.

The height of a full-grown, full-size llama is between 1.7 meters (5.5 ft) and 1.8 meters (6 ft) tall at the top of the head.)

(At birth, a baby llama (called a cria) can weigh between 9.1 kilograms (20 lb) and 14 kilograms (30 lb))

And then decided that it would be kind to share the Alpaca with one of the little ones… who really was too small to manage her on her own!

After all children were suitably happy and exhausted we trundled off to the beach, for a play in the water and sand.. and a great time was had by all!

and to see an old photographic Exhibition in the town center.

After this we headed off to llechwood Slate Cavens..

To see the Chough, and to spend a bit off time around the small museum rooms which are there,

and of course to visit the old Fashioned Sweet Shop.  An area which Asha was very enthusiastic,, if not slightly stunned by!

I also bought a book about the Rock Cannon’s of Gwnedd.. By Griff R Jones.

Well we started the day with a story in bed, followed by crumpets. We then moved onto filling the boot of the car with all the recycling from the last 3 months, which hadnt been picked up. We then went to the tip, and then to the post office.

We then drove towards Bangor, and called into the farmers shop and bought Bird food, cat food, three 75 kg  sacks of compost and a new set of over alls for Asha.   (Will try and get a photograph of her in them tomorrow, i left the camera at home all day today!) We then went to the cash and carry, but didnt buy any meat, but did get a few other bits and peices for the New freezer. (Ice cream, beefburgers, chips) and a new cereal tub for some cereal, to save it being all over the cupboard.

After that, we headed home, emptied the car, and headed over to llanberis, for a play on the public swings, which Asha truly inspired me with. Her balancing ability and confidence has exploded this week.  We then headed to petes eats for a small tea, and then back down to the laggoons, to climb trees (well asha did) Mummy just tried her hardest not to panic, or offer assistance, when it wasnt needed, and we  fed the ducks and swans, before coming home, and now she is in bed exhausted.. Me.. I am exhausted too, and gratefull that daddy does bed time!

The Welsh Mountain Zoo, is based above Conway Bay, and is a beautiful, if not hilly zoo, with fantastic views of the bays.

We were kindly taken by J, so I didnt have to drive, and Asha really enjoyed playing on the “sky line” and has really mastered making it work for her! I also took a second take at the way she swung on the rope ball, and grabbed hold of the string rope ladder, and climbed off without any help! I truly have a little Monkey at times!

As always we went to watch the Californian Sealions sealions rock , The owl getting a good long fly, and the penguins parade, and spent a while looking at the tiny meerkats.. She also enjoyed the pandas, and the snow leopard. But as she has spent most of today pretending to be an ostrich, on a nest, I guess its the Rhea;s who inspired her immediate imagination the most!

Taken from rspb site

Seen in flight from below the osprey has white or slightly mottled underparts. The long wings are angled, bending at the ‘wrist’ which has a black patch contrasting with the white wing linings, and at a distance it could be mistaken for a large gull. This spectacular fish-eating bird of prey is an Amber List species because of its historical decline (due to illegal killing), and low breeding numbers.

Ospreys are found in a variety of freshwater, brackish and marine environments. The most important habitat requirement is the presence of ample supplies of medium-sized fish obtainable near the surface of clear unpolluted water. Several birds sometimes congregate at good feeding sites.

The osprey is a specialist feeder, relying on medium sized fish, both marine and fresh-water. The bird will fly above the water’s surface to locate fish, sometimes gliding and soaring up to 70 metres high.

The catching technique varies with the type of fish, but they all involve an almost vertical plunge dive with wings half-folded and feet thrown forward at last moment. The fish are caught in talons after a dive to a maximum depth of 1m. The fish is held head first, when carried to a perch or to the nest.

And for some beautiful photographs!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/

Not bad going.. for 15 months worth of feeding the birds every day by Asha!

Looking forwards to next years, and I am going to find out how we can attract some different breeds and more numbers into our garden.