Gremlin’s Fireside Chat

As part our recent holiday to Sligo we went to the IRISH RAPTOR RESEARCH CENTRE; and we had a great time watching and looking at the eagles, hawks, owls and vultures – some of whom are massive.

One of the things I have always wanted to do is hold a raptor – and this centre allows you to do this. I had the fun of having a piece of meat in my hand and have the raptor fly to it. The following picture was taken then:

Gary at Raptor Park

We all had a fantastic time at the centre and we plan to go back – please visit and support this privately funded research centre because its a great afternoon out and deserves our support.

Yesterday after a visit to the excellent National Museum of Country Life I had a while to wait for my wife to finish so – it being a lovely sunny day – Maeve and myself retired outside for some fun. Maeve sat down beside me and we watched people for a while. The museum is based in some lovely countryside (and not in a town) and in the background I heard a cow bellowing and this gave me an idea for a game.

“Maeve” I said “cows go….” and then nothing. Maeve looked at me with a puzzled expression. “Cows go mooo” I said and to my delight Maeve copied me saying “moo”. I repeated the phrase and “cows go” and Maeve replies “moo” – she’s learning and not bad for 20 months of age. I repeated the “cows go” and “moo” replies a couple of times. Then I switched to … “Maeve, sheep go baaaa”; Rapidly Maeve replied “baa” every time I said “sheep go”.

I can now say “cows go” or “sheep go” in any order and Maeve will reply with the right sound…. time for some more animals i think.