Early start for us today as we needed to pack up and shift to Days Inn while waiting for Sharon to return from her holidays with the family. By 1.20pm we were all ready to leave for the hotel and Jo came with us to take us out to the Zoo. After we had checked in at Days Inn, Chester, I found out they didn't offer complimentary breakfast, which was a pity.

When we got to the Zoo, which apparently is the first zoo in the USA, we proceeded straight to the food outlet as we had not had lunch. Alison and I shared a miserable cheese and egg burger while Adrian had some kind of chocolate loaf. Jo got us in for free as she was a member of the zoological society which she joined when her Mum came to visit earlier in the year. The best part was the free parking that went with the membership which otherwise would have cost USD12.

Of course Adrian wanted to go to the reptile section, he and his snakes!! while I was busy looking for the loo again!!! I had to walk some distance before I could find one, and then sat down waiting for the others to come out of the reptile house. Unfortunately it is a typical old fashioned zoo with a long walk in and longer walk out!! The Great Cat Falls made up for the walk with the big cats at touching distance when they are up next to the glass separating us, the visitors from them.

The rain had started getting heavier as we came out of the big cat area and we took shelter in the primates house where we saw Orang Utans at close range. Something that I learnt about the Orang Utan is the fact that they like to cover up their faces with anything including cloth or paper boxes etc.

As the rain got heavier we decided to call it a day and started walking back to the car, when Jo received a call from Sharon who was about one hours drive to their home. We decided then that dinner was on.

It was almost 5.30pm then and we thought we would stop at McD for Adrian and at the same time we could have coffee while waiting for Sharon. Sharon was back at 6pm and we were going to meet at restaurant but then Jo remembered she had to walk the dogs. We offered to take her home and Sharon could then take her time getting ready.

We ended up in a Thai restaurant nearby which served pretty good food, including phadthai. Jo's David joined us just as we started eating and he was looking forward to the phadthai, which got his approval. Apparently the restaurant was under new management and it had changed hands three times this year. With the support David is going to give hopefully the restaurant will remain open for some time.

By 9.30pm it was closing time and we had to say our goodbyes and thanks to Sharon for the loan of her flat and also a very nice dinner. Adrian was especially sad to leave his new found cousin Ciara, but life has to go on, and he is learning that slowly!! We found a 7/11 store to get milk for the morning breakfast nearby the hotel and yet another day is gone! And as I wrote this I saw rain streaming down and wonder how on earth are we going to camp in this weather?