Magical menagerie

Last Friday we went along to the Natural History Museum at Tring. I have very fond memories of visiting the museum when I was a little girl but hadn't been for a long time. It seemed like a perfect family day out and a great source of inspiration for me (in preparation for my Animal Fair pieces). Plus it is free entry!

The museum is made up of animals collected by Lord Rothschild. Unlike the majority of his family who are in the financial world, he chose to follow his passion for zoology.

This picture of him tells a 1000 words:

The family gifted the museum and its collections to the nation a long time ago but the Natural History Museum have transformed the place since my last visit as a little girl. I am thrilled that they have managed to keep the feeling of a victorian collector's curiosity whilst making the displays accessible and appealing to children. Lots of interactive games and information along with the sheer delight of looking at a mandrill's brightly coloured bottom!

The exhibits are displayed in very low light and there is glass everywhere so it was quite difficult to get good pictures but here are a selection of the best ones.

A week of animal adventures

It has been a week packed full of animal adventure. In between working on some exciting papercut commissions I have had to rise to the challenge of various animal rescues and treating ailments.

Terry is in the middle of lambing (last count 40 sheep lambed, 100 and something to go!) These lambs are some of the first born who are now gambolling out and about in the fields. Lambing is an exciting and nerve wracking time in the village. Everyone is hopeful that Terry's flock will remain unaffected by the dreadful Schmallenberger virus that has been affecting lambs this year. (So far so good).

Whilst there isn't much we can do to help Terry and Paul whilst they lamb, as dog owners we are acutely aware of keeping our dogs on a very tight leash. Imagine our horror when we were up at the allotment this week (right next to these lambs) and met a young husky. No owner, no collar, no control. After about an hour and with the help of five other families we managed to catch her. A beautiful and very friendly dog but completely unknown to any of us. Several hours later our neighbours had managed to track down her owners. Thankfully Terry's sheep seem ok even though the dog must have come through their field.

Another rescue was of a beautiful male greenfinch trapped in one of the fruit cages at the allotment.

And the ailment? Well our poor girls seem to have got all sorts of bugs and parasites troubling them at the minute. Terry has very kindly provided some medicine for them and we've been to buy some treatment for their legs. So spare a thought for me this weekend as I throroughly disinfect two chicken coops, feed and drink containers and catch and spray 15 chickens!

Have a great weekend (and if you do have a dog - keep it away from the sheep!)