For the last couple of weeks we've been looking after 2 syrian hamsters, called Toffee and Mocha. Their original owner was a student who was returning to Singapore. She had found a new owner but needed someone to look after them in the meantime.

I was trying to take a photo of Mocha (which is difficult because she's a very dark brown colour and she sometimes disappears into the shadows) but she wouldn't keep still. Emma tried feeding her which helped a bit, she (Mocha) would sit still and eat. This worked fine until Emma gave her a monkey nut. She pouched it whole, instead of opening it and eating it. The nut in its case, in her cheek pouches, would rattle every time she walked. We had to resist the temptation to pick her up and gently shake her to hear the rattling.

Toffee

Mocha, with the soon to be pouched monkey nut.

It had been raining overnight so we were expecting things to be a bit soggier on the sunday. Yesterday had been really sunny and the local radio had reports of huge queues of traffic leading to the park. Today was much quieter, no queues, easy parking. The downside was a muddy field.

Most of the acts who perform in the main arena do shows on both saturday and sunday. While we were there, there was a comedy gymnastics troupe, a daredevil/stunts/escapology family, and the obligatory falconry display.

As well as performing acts, there were tents with local history/crafts/environmental societies hawking their wares. Everyone seemed pleased to engage you in conversation or hand out leaflets to promote their cause.

The final act we saw before leaving was what can only be described as a 'stand up painter'. When we arrived he was half way through a painting of Robbie Williams, while Let me entertain you blasted out of the speakers. His next painting was to the tune of two Elvis songs but initially I thought 'Sorry Rolf, I can't tell what it is yet' before I suddenly realised he was painting it upside down. That made it much more impressive.