We left the campsite and said goodbye to the horses in their stables.

The canal swing bridge immediately outside was open so we waited for the barge to go through and then the bridge to swing back.

We then went to the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Slimbridge which is a huge centre of wetlands for both birdwatchers and kids. There was a tower in the main centre where you could look over the entire area. It was started by Sir Peter Scott the naturalist and also son of Scott of the Antarctic.

At the initial main pools there were birds everywhere. You had to be careful not to step on any.

People had paid for bird food so were feeding the birds around here. There were a lot of geese around but none got too pushy.

We headed toward the otter area as it was time for otter feeding. The keeper gave us good information on the otters who had produced about 5 litters and were now in their ‘retirement’.

We enjoyed seeing them swimming for their fish – and a persistent gull got some too!

Next stop were the flamingos in several areas. They were different types.

Further out the feeding area stops. There are then more serious bird hides with a bit of a walk between them.

There were many ducks with a lot of shell ducks.

We saw 6 cranes out in the reeds beside the estuary and the cows. They were quite obviously walking around. They then all flew off – quite an amazing sight as they are quite big. They had been bred here but live in the Somerset levels during winter and come back to Slimbridge for summer.

Glenn’s camera worked well to capture these shots.

After 4 hours in the wetlands it was now 2.30 and we were quite hungry. We left the centre and had a van lunch before heading off to our next location – the New Forest on the south coast.

The drive was through lovely countryside and small villages.

We arrived at Airview Farm CL at Ibsley just after 6pm in warm sunshine. It’s a nice big field with all facilities required. We sat outside and had a barbecue for dinner – a first on this trip.

We are near many lakes where Glenn can check out the birds.

We got a nice sunset.