Winter seemed to last for ever this year and the children and I talked on a daily basis of the battle between Winter and Spring.We watched patiently for signs outdoors,the first leaves on the blackcurrants,blossom on the cherry,garden birds nesting and of course the long awaited arrival of the swallows.At last and over a month late, Nature burst into bloom and we knew that once again we could rejoice at the wonderful rebirth of life on earth!

It was also time to make our annual trip to the zoo!So ,taking a gamble with our weather ,we agreed on a date in early May!!And luck was with us.The sun shone and it was warm!!A very excited group of children and parents left Sligo on the train ,the first train trip for many and it was very exciting. As always,picnics started before Ballymote and the journey flew as children chatted and played together whilst parents mingled getting to rekindle or start new friendships. On arrival in Dublin,we hailed taxis for the zoo and within a very short time were at the “best place ever”!! On our way to the picnic area,we were greeted by some of the S.American rain forest  animals,the white faced saki,the sloth ,lion tamarin and squirrel monkey!!As the children had just finished their projects on S.America,it was wonderful to see the real animals !There were yelps of delight at discovering  yet another animal. which they all “adopted” as “their own” from project work on the continents.

The children were delighted to have the peacocks strutting amongst us whilst we ate our picnics and admired their magnificent plumage. Children just love the reptiles so the new Zoorassic World was our first stop. Stan,the life sized replica of T.Rex was a big hit.There were also real reptiles to see which are part of Dublin’s Zoos project in breeding endangered species.

I have been visiting Dublin Zoo with my school for nearly 30 years and it never fails to amaze me. New conservation projects and  international breeding programmes for endangered species are just some of the wonderful things that are happening there. It gives children an appreciation and a knowledge about animals from all over the world and opens up a wonderful world to them,allowing them to see and respect living creatures.

Our day continued in a very leisurely and relaxed way with a very happy group of little children who shared their magical awe and wonder at all they experienced with us. What more could one ask for?It was one PERFECT DAY.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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