Felt like shit this morning... And the 2 hour drive to Andover didn't help either! Went to visit The Hawk Conservancy Trust for a day with birds of prey. (A belated birthday gift for the Fish!) To be honest I was quite stand offish with the birds, who knows how unpredictable they can be?? Was reassuring when both our guides came out wearing eye patches! (Kidding!)

They armed us with our leather gloves, OJ would have been jealous and you had no choice but to get used to birds pretty quick. They started us with "Frodo" the biggest eagle they could find! We then had a go with the Kites who like to swoop and grab and not hang about on the glove. A few owls, and some Harris' Hawks and the day past by really fast. Much more enjoyable than I thought it would be but the birthday girl was grinning ear to ear the entire time which was all that mattered!!! Owl stroking check, I think Orangutan wrestling may be on the cards for next year!