Martin's menagerie

I gave the moths a rest yesterday and we did the best thing you can do in Leeds on a dull and rainy day: took a trip to Tropical World at Roundhay Park. Penny and I hadn't been for ages. In fact, I think the last time we were there, the old Mynah bird was still in residence, squawking its famous cry of 'Roundy Paaark'.




It's half-term and the antics of the visiting children were almost as diverting as the butterflies, birds and other beasts on display. It's a marvellous facility and a great tribute to Leeds city council and those generous donors Marjorie Ziff and her late husband Arnold. Needless to say, among its attractions are meerkats, including recently-born young. You can get very close and they don't take a blind bit of notice.






There's also a good selection of creatures to curdle the kids' blood enjoyably. It was salutary to hear a Mum keeping her obstreperous daughter in order by warning her that this crocodile might pounce on her. The only pouncing we saw was on ice creams as the sun finally came out.