Devon Camping 2019 Day 5 - Exmoor Zoo & The Thatches

Day 5 and the weather looked very grim today and turned out to be the worst of the holiday. However rather than waste the day sitting around in the tent we decided to make the most of the bad weather and headed off to Exmoor Zoo to see the "Beast of Exmoor". We had a good day despite the rough weather and had to make a few dashes for shelter every now and then, on the plus side the Zoo was very quiet!

When we got back to camp the kids once again wanted to go body boarding even in the bad weather. Tina stayed at the tent and I took them down to the beach, but we didn't stay for long as even Joshua was feeling the col this time.

In the evening we walked in to the village to have dinner in a pub/restaurant called "The Thatches" which was highly recommended by our camping neighbours who had been to this site on several occasions and knew the area well. The food did not disappoint and was very good, albeit our most expensive meal of the holiday! Rather appropriately the menu had a dish called "The Exmoor Beast" which was supposed to be a very spicy burger with spicy salsa and jalapenos. Given the fact we had seen the Exmoor Beast today and that I like spicy food I decided to give it a go - verdict : Not in the slightest bit spicy, but very enjoyable.

Upon arrival at Exmoor Zoo we were greeted by a beautiful peacock.

All wrapped up in fleeces and coats for a rainy trip to Exmoor Zoo.

Very cute little monkey.

Good old meerkats.

Only one of them brave enough to venture out in the cold and wet.

Very colourful looking monkey.

Nice hair cut!

Up close and personal with the Puma's.

The Puma's didn't seem to mind the cold and wet and were prowling up and down.

Finally we got to see the infamous Exmoor Beast.

Basically a black panther.

This was one ugly looking bird, check out the top of the beak!!!

This is a singing dog which is extremely rare and almost extinct. Apparently there are only two in the whole of the UK and this is one of them.

Joshua getting to stroke an Alpaca.

Then Brandon's turn.

Even Holly braved the Alpaca and fortunately it didn't spit on any of them.

Look at the stunning colour of these birds.

An Iguana with a giant tortoise which decided to poo and pee in front of us.

A beautiful lion mane monkey.

Just hanging around, plenty of animals to see even in the bad weather.

Holly being brave and holding a very large snail.

Brandon doesn't look too happy to hold it.

Joshua with the giant snail.

Holly got to hand feed some wallaby's.

Such cute little things.

They have plenty of wild cats at the zoo including a couple of cheetahs.

Any this Euro Wolf had a lovely coat and fur colour.

Despite the cold and wet the kids still wanted to hit the beach when we got back from the zoo.

Holly felt the cold first so started playing in the sand.

Even Joshua started feeling the cold today, so you know it was bad.

But he still wouldn't wear his wet suit as he said it rubbed.

Joshua trying to keep Holly warm for me.

Family dinner at "The Thatches" - lovely food.

Me tackling the Exmoor Beast.

Outside "The Thatches" with nice full belly's and ready to duck the rain showers on the walk back to the site.