Om-bloody-niverous!

Kai, Zoe and I had a grand day out at Öland’s funfair and zoo on Saturday with two other families.

The day didn’t start too well. No sooner had we left Löttorp than the skies opened and there was a major downfall. Thunder, lightning and rain so intense that we had to drive at a snail’s space as we couldn’t see the car in front of us. I was convinced we’d have to re-think the day but by the time we got there the weather had cleared up and it was actually sunny for a few hours before the skies opened again.

The zoo was a strange place. Most Swedish zoological parks these days are hyper-organised and almost too slickly professional. Last summer we were at Kolmården, where Kai and I watched a display of birds of prey that felt like a stadium rock show. Pounding heavy metal music. Witty repartee. Every wingbeat meticulously choreographed.

Here everything was a bit more amateur in the best possible way. Most of the staff were clearly schoolkids doing a summer job. On a day when it was half-empty that suited me fine.

First out was a large piranha. One of the (very young) zookeepers was feeding this ferocious Amazonian predator with pieces of melon. I commented on this and she told me that all their piranhas had gone vegetarian!

The funfair was perfect for Kai as he could go for as many rides as he wanted. The splendidly bequiffed young chap working the Octopus looked like a refugee from Mozchester. Probably hoping that Mozza would just happen to stroll past and give him a part in his next video!

The goats were a big hit with both K and Z. Kai stroked them and Zoe was a tiny bit frightened but also very delighted by their rather pushy attempts to get food. To my horror I felt something nuzzling my thighs and discovered that the horrendous beasts were doing their best to eat my shorts. Any animal prepared to sink that low must truly be described as omnivorous!