We went to the zoo again yesterday, but almost did not make it. We headed up there about 11am and got there to find that there was a queue of several hundred people with the same idea queuing to get in. The car park was also full and every side street was jammed packed with cars. We toured all the neighbourhood looking for a space but to no avail. We had decided that we would head to Balmoral beach in Mosman instead just as a family in front of us stopped beside their car and started to leave.

We unpacked the car, loaded the kids onto their buggies and headed to the entrance. The number of visitors had multiplied since we last past the entrance, but fortunately we noticed a prepaid entrance with no queue, so we walked straight in.

We had made a picnic and so looked around for a nice shaded spot to sit and eat. We found a quiet spot beside the giraffes and zebras. Very civilised, sitting eating our lunch with a knife and fork. The weather was heating up, but still pleasant when in the shade. It had been 24 degrees at 8am when I got up!

We wandered around and saw the usual, lions, tigers and elephants. The great thing about having the "zoo friend" pass is that because you havent paid to get in you dont feel the need to speed round the whole place making sure you see absolutely everything.

We saw one of the bush talks all about the creatures you find in and around Sydney. We saw a Funnel Web spider, (the most venemous spider in the world), the Sydney Red Back, (likes to find home in toilet seats), and the Bird Eating Spider which can grow to about the size of your hand. For all of you afraid of spiders, did you know that every spider is venemous, even the Daddy Long-legs is! Fortunately, no-one has died of a spider bite in the last 20 years in Australia. We also saw a two headed lizard and a python. Adam was very brave and touched both! Leigh on the other hand was about 4 or 5 rows back keeping a safe distance with Emily. I found the whole thing very interesting and am now keeping a lookout in the back garden for some deadly creatures. Photos may follow!