I've just been to Chester Zoo today, my main aim of going was to take a friend who really enjoys animals. It's the first time that I have been to such a place since I was a very young child, and I quite enjoyed it. I have always up until now had a slightly negative view of zoos, imagining that the animals are not happy; for example those that pace up and down continuously in their cages, or pick their own fur out are obviously stressed out. I'm glad to say that I saw none of that today, except for a cheetah that was pacing up and down because I think it had been separated from it's mates and they were in the compound next door; there must have been a good reason for this.

My favourite animal was the giraffes, you have to see them in real life and close up to see just how beautiful they are; their coats look like exquisite velvet, they have such serene looks on their faces, and they move around in a very majestic way, as if they have been given lessons at a finishing school on how to walk around gracefully!

Here's a You Tube video (not mine) of some giraffes at Chester Zoo.