We’ve seen the sign for “Birdworld” on the motorway for years. Today is the day! And we are amazed: this bird zoo is much bigger than we thought from the park map. And we’re excited as we’ve never been this close to the flamingos. The aviaries are also home to many native and exotic birds from all over the world. We actually recognize some of them! Owls, turtle doves, northern bald ibis, pheasants, kookaburras, parrots, pelicans, Humbolt penguins, avocets, hornbills, toucans… all of them pretty fluffed up and braving the British weather.

The Humbolt penguins certainly feel at home here. They have a large enclosure and plenty of space to swim and dive around their penguin island.

The beach habitat of the spectacled penguins is also huge, and looks like a scene from “Jaws” with the boat and jetty. It’s funny how a few other black and white birds have also crept in and are barely noticeable.

In the farm section at the very back of the park, we also see sheep, goats, ducks, guinea pigs, turkeys and chickens. In summer, the large playground is certainly busier than it is today.

As the cafés in the park are closed in the off-season, we drive back to Fleet for a late lunch. And LucY now insists on only parking in front of shops in its colour. 😉 We try the Philly Cheese Burger from McDonald’s. It’s pretty good. Then LucY gets a car wash. Because our car has had a visit from birds tonight. We make a mental note never to park in the hotel car park under the tree again.

Then we head straight to the garden centre in Fleet. This one always has the best Christmas department, and this year is no exception. But the garden centre also has so much more to offer! And I say it each time we visit: one day I’ll buy the octopus champagne bucket or the octopus wine bottle holder that’s on display here. Even though neither of them match our interior design style at all.

So cute, all the Christmas decorations! Gabi talks me out of buying the electric Father Christmas who keeps climbing up and down the ladder to the Christmas tree and plays 15 Christmas carols at the same time. Yay!

We continue to the supermarket and buy our usual things: sweets and crisps. Back at the hotel, we don’t want to leave again, so we order dinner via Deliveroo. Less than half an hour later, someone brings our Indian food. So convenient. Later, we eat our dessert from the supermarket.