Living Coasts, Torquay and being cold

Yesterday we went on the train down to Torquay to go to Living Coasts (http://www.livingcoasts.org.uk/) and to do some shopping. Living Coasts is like a zoo for the sea, and although is perhaps only an hours entertainment it is great fun. Contains mostly birds (with a smattering of seals and fish) and the penguins are the highlight (everyone likes penguins, surely?)





I think the above penguin looks a bit sad!



You could walk under the sea pool and see things swimming above, which was quite fun.





The estuary area lets you get close to birds that otherwise you would only be able to see from a distance on the Exe, such as the Avocets here.



And Auks and Puffins,



We then went to the Harvester restaurant on the harbour and had a really nice meal (Harvester have vastly improved recently) and then into the town to do some Christmas shopping.

It really was quite freezing down by the coast, but it was also freezing today when I decided to go for a cycle ride along the river Exe to the Double Locks. Two Winter Warmer beers helped, but I was still very very cold! This is me being cold, and a friendly Robin that kept me company!