Is it just me or are there never enough animals on display at Edinburgh zoo ?

[rookiemater]

We decided to make the first trip of the year to the zoo seeing as sun was shining.

On the way there had usual debate about whether we should become members and as DS is 2.11 and by us becoming members we get him in for free for another year we decided to go for it.

Now DS had a relatively good time and enjoyed all the outside play areas and the inside one. But Edinburgh zoo always seems to be never as good as I would imagine it would be.

They have huge animal enclosures and in one them they had a special type of mouse .

Then most of the animals seem to be out of sight and DH always wants to see the big cats so we have to hike to the top and by that time DS wants his lunch. Then they had got rid of the toys in the members eating section which meant that DS was out of sorts. Then the penguins refused to go walking at the allotted time ( although this is clearly outside the control of the zoo staff)

I think its just the fact it is on a hill narks me as its actually a fair old trek to get round. Anyway, its too late we are committed to many more days out there now.

rookie, LOL at pampered princess!!

I find with the pass that we are not attempting to see every single animal in the zoo trying to get our moneys worth!

I often ask ds before we go in which animals he thinks we might see and perhaps pick two or three that I know are close together and go to see if we can find them. If we are on a short visit, we often don't get very far up the hill at all!

My ds's favourite thing at Gorgie farm is the railway line beside it and the trains zooming by.

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I went to Almond Valley Heritage Park in Livingstone today...£5 for an adult, free for under threes..

up close animals willing to be stroked...new born baby lambs under a heat lamp...Tellytubbie giant rabbits..ride on tractors...trampolines...only one play park (take note Edinburgh Zoo)...healthy food in cafe...soft play (although torn-faced assistant spoilt it somewhat)...interactive museum...

and a sunny day...it was great...

only the expensive and impossible to avoid gift shop was a bit of a nightmare (and cost me £14 )

I used to have membership at Almond Valley when we lived out that way. It was really good, and there was always something to do whatever the weather.

We're members and we go a lot. DD1 has been in love with the Rhinos since she was born pretty much. Although she feels a bit let down if they don't wee when she's there. She also wants the job of varnishing the pygmy hippos when she grows up. I told her I was joking about that but she still holds a torch.

Can I take back everything negative I said about the zoo. It is becoming my favourite new place. The baby pigmy hippo is unbelievably cute, even if she is never awake. DS loves all the new play areas particularly the sand pit and we did the new chimpanzee bit today.

Oh and the picnic area means withthe annual membership its a cheap day out, particularly if like today its raining so I don't have to get an ice cream.

It just required a bit of a mindset change, now if we see one or two animals its a lucky bonus rather than the point of the day.

HI rookie. Fancy meeting up and going there sometime? We renewed our membership and now ds has his own wee card with his photo on it. It's really cute.

We saw the baby pygmy hippo up really close trotting round after the mother. Somebody said to me it looked like a haggis which I though was quite accurate!

Oh hello there, are you back from your world wind trip of the UK, did you have a good time ?

We definitely have to go back as I have not seen that darn baby hippo yet. I'm meant to be doing something coming Monday, but if you are around would love to meet Monday after.

I am about to go on the third leg of my trip tomorrow, just until Friday.

I have put 27th in my diary