In New Zealand Gregg's is a coffee brand.
The bottle needs explaining to me. I was assuming it was where gain entry by breaking the bottle off a table and using the pointy end to ensure they let you in, but I could be wrong.
The Stupidest Idea I've Ever Had... (Zoo-tripping In The North-West)
- Thread starter Brum
- Start date
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- blackpool chester manchester wales
Did not know that, is it a chain or a branded item? And I just had to doublecheck but our Greggs is apostrophe free.
It's a bottle of handwash, Merlin run promotions with them (along with other brands like Cadbury's) where you get two for one or half price entry if you have a bottle/packet you get whatever discount is applicable. Usually they take the label off, and in some cases the whole bottle/pack whether it's empty or full depending on the member of staff.
The days of me having to force entry into a zoo by threats of physical violence rather than paying full price are long in my past, absolutely nothing sinister involved nowadays... !
Gregg's is a purely New Zealand company, founded in 1861, but since 2018 has been owned by Heinz Watties (although all the products are still logo'd as Gregg's). They are most connected to coffee, but also produce spices, jelly crystals, and other such things.Did not know that, is it a chain or a branded item? And I just had to doublecheck but our Greggs is apostrophe free.
Day 3, Part 1 - Regretting My Life Choices
When planning this trip I'd kept this day free other than my hotel booking for the evening as I was undecided on whether to hit Blue Planet Aquarium and Liverpool World Museum Aquarium, or to hit North Wales. I elected for Wales as the trip was already quite aquarium heavy and, again, not the biggest fish guy, I also thought that it would be nice to do two collections in the north as I'd previously done Folly Farm and Welsh Owl Garden (now sadly closed/closing) earlier in the year. I thought it made for some nice symmetry, but later in the day I really began to regret my choices!
I got up about 8, went to a nice little cafe round the corner and ordered a breakfast baguette, far better than the first meal of yesterday morning. Back to the guesthouse, changed and showered, checked the weather, headed to the station for 10.01. As I was getting on "my" train (it was at my platform, on time, and had the right destination on it) I was on the phone so missed the announcement... Turns out this train wasn't stopping at Colwyn Bay at all and there had been a very last second platform change that I'd missed... Not too much of a problem as I got off a stop just after Colwyn Bay and got the train back, a little frustrating but not too much of a problem.
Now here's where regret begins to kick in - Google told me it was a mile from the station to the zoo but a forty minute walk, I ignored that as I can do a mile in about fifteen to twenty minutes usually, but one thing I apparently overlooked is the name of the collection... Welsh Mountain Zoo! I was sitting at the side of the road on my bag, sweating and hot whilst it was about nine degrees (Celsius not Fahrenheit), just two hundred yards from the entrance, and I really debated just turning around and going back down, but I'm glad I decided against it as it turned out to be a pretty nice zoo with some obvious weak spots.
Upon entering I noticed the zoo was quite quiet which was a blessed relief after yesterdays museum nightmares. The first enclosure I came across was a well planted Eurasian Brown Bear enclosure that could definitely have been larger, didn't see a bear though as they were in torpor. Also around here were Andean Condors in an average aviary with enough room to flap around but not really enough room to take flight. Enclosure size was an issue a few times here, but there are a few exceptions that stand out - Stellar's Sea Eagles have a decent aviary that does allow for flight, Przewalski's Horses look fantastic on the hillside paddock, and the new Snow Leopard enclosure is awesome - open-topped, absolutely huge, and with plenty of viewing opportunities. The viewing platform here also offers views out over Colwyn Bay if that's your idea of a good time!
The negatives were few but the Lar Gibbon enclosure was terrible, just too narrow with no privacy and not a lot of height, tamarins faired a little better in open-fronted enclosures but still not much room. The Reptile House was the commonest of the common but the large American Alligator enclosure next door made up for that in my opinion. And I don't remember much of a bird collection either.
Mostly everything else was average - Bactrian Camels in a standard paddock formerly home to elephants, a well-planted Sumatran Tiger enclosure that was viewed from the cafe only as the path was blocked off, Chimps and Californian Sea Lions didn't have the worst housing going and it was nice to see some greenery in the sea lion pool. They have Red Squirrels and Pine Martens down by the sea eagles and that was a hell of a walk from any other exhibits so unless they're a high priority for you then I'd say skip that section.
All in all a very nice zoo that probably looks leaps and bounds better in the summer, and somewhere I'd definitely return to.
When planning this trip I'd kept this day free other than my hotel booking for the evening as I was undecided on whether to hit Blue Planet Aquarium and Liverpool World Museum Aquarium, or to hit North Wales. I elected for Wales as the trip was already quite aquarium heavy and, again, not the biggest fish guy, I also thought that it would be nice to do two collections in the north as I'd previously done Folly Farm and Welsh Owl Garden (now sadly closed/closing) earlier in the year. I thought it made for some nice symmetry, but later in the day I really began to regret my choices!
I got up about 8, went to a nice little cafe round the corner and ordered a breakfast baguette, far better than the first meal of yesterday morning. Back to the guesthouse, changed and showered, checked the weather, headed to the station for 10.01. As I was getting on "my" train (it was at my platform, on time, and had the right destination on it) I was on the phone so missed the announcement... Turns out this train wasn't stopping at Colwyn Bay at all and there had been a very last second platform change that I'd missed... Not too much of a problem as I got off a stop just after Colwyn Bay and got the train back, a little frustrating but not too much of a problem.
Now here's where regret begins to kick in - Google told me it was a mile from the station to the zoo but a forty minute walk, I ignored that as I can do a mile in about fifteen to twenty minutes usually, but one thing I apparently overlooked is the name of the collection... Welsh Mountain Zoo! I was sitting at the side of the road on my bag, sweating and hot whilst it was about nine degrees (Celsius not Fahrenheit), just two hundred yards from the entrance, and I really debated just turning around and going back down, but I'm glad I decided against it as it turned out to be a pretty nice zoo with some obvious weak spots.
Upon entering I noticed the zoo was quite quiet which was a blessed relief after yesterdays museum nightmares. The first enclosure I came across was a well planted Eurasian Brown Bear enclosure that could definitely have been larger, didn't see a bear though as they were in torpor. Also around here were Andean Condors in an average aviary with enough room to flap around but not really enough room to take flight. Enclosure size was an issue a few times here, but there are a few exceptions that stand out - Stellar's Sea Eagles have a decent aviary that does allow for flight, Przewalski's Horses look fantastic on the hillside paddock, and the new Snow Leopard enclosure is awesome - open-topped, absolutely huge, and with plenty of viewing opportunities. The viewing platform here also offers views out over Colwyn Bay if that's your idea of a good time!
The negatives were few but the Lar Gibbon enclosure was terrible, just too narrow with no privacy and not a lot of height, tamarins faired a little better in open-fronted enclosures but still not much room. The Reptile House was the commonest of the common but the large American Alligator enclosure next door made up for that in my opinion. And I don't remember much of a bird collection either.
Mostly everything else was average - Bactrian Camels in a standard paddock formerly home to elephants, a well-planted Sumatran Tiger enclosure that was viewed from the cafe only as the path was blocked off, Chimps and Californian Sea Lions didn't have the worst housing going and it was nice to see some greenery in the sea lion pool. They have Red Squirrels and Pine Martens down by the sea eagles and that was a hell of a walk from any other exhibits so unless they're a high priority for you then I'd say skip that section.
All in all a very nice zoo that probably looks leaps and bounds better in the summer, and somewhere I'd definitely return to.
Laboratory 7
Well-Known Member
Day 3, Part 1 - Regretting My Life Choices
When planning this trip I'd kept this day free other than my hotel booking for the evening as I was undecided on whether to hit Blue Planet Aquarium and Liverpool World Museum Aquarium, or to hit North Wales. I elected for Wales as the trip was already quite aquarium heavy and, again, not the biggest fish guy, I also thought that it would be nice to do two collections in the north as I'd previously done Folly Farm and Welsh Owl Garden (now sadly closed/closing) earlier in the year. I thought it made for some nice symmetry, but later in the day I really began to regret my choices!
I got up about 8, went to a nice little cafe round the corner and ordered a breakfast baguette, far better than the first meal of yesterday morning. Back to the guesthouse, changed and showered, checked the weather, headed to the station for 10.01. As I was getting on "my" train (it was at my platform, on time, and had the right destination on it) I was on the phone so missed the announcement... Turns out this train wasn't stopping at Colwyn Bay at all and there had been a very last second platform change that I'd missed... Not too much of a problem as I got off a stop just after Colwyn Bay and got the train back, a little frustrating but not too much of a problem.
Now here's where regret begins to kick in - Google told me it was a mile from the station to the zoo but a forty minute walk, I ignored that as I can do a mile in about fifteen to twenty minutes usually, but one thing I apparently overlooked is the name of the collection... Welsh Mountain Zoo! I was sitting at the side of the road on my bag, sweating and hot whilst it was about nine degrees (Celsius not Fahrenheit), just two hundred yards from the entrance, and I really debated just turning around and going back down, but I'm glad I decided against it as it turned out to be a pretty nice zoo with some obvious weak spots.
Upon entering I noticed the zoo was quite quiet which was a blessed relief after yesterdays museum nightmares. The first enclosure I came across was a well planted Eurasian Brown Bear enclosure that could definitely have been larger, didn't see a bear though as they were in torpor. Also around here were Andean Condors in an average aviary with enough room to flap around but not really enough room to take flight. Enclosure size was an issue a few times here, but there are a few exceptions that stand out - Stellar's Sea Eagles have a decent aviary that does allow for flight, Przewalski's Horses look fantastic on the hillside paddock, and the new Snow Leopard enclosure is awesome - open-topped, absolutely huge, and with plenty of viewing opportunities. The viewing platform here also offers views out over Colwyn Bay if that's your idea of a good time!
The negatives were few but the Lar Gibbon enclosure was terrible, just too narrow with no privacy and not a lot of height, tamarins faired a little better in open-fronted enclosures but still not much room. The Reptile House was the commonest of the common but the large American Alligator enclosure next door made up for that in my opinion. And I don't remember much of a bird collection either.
Mostly everything else was average - Bactrian Camels in a standard paddock formerly home to elephants, a well-planted Sumatran Tiger enclosure that was viewed from the cafe only as the path was blocked off, Chimps and Californian Sea Lions didn't have the worst housing going and it was nice to see some greenery in the sea lion pool. They have Red Squirrels and Pine Martens down by the sea eagles and that was a hell of a walk from any other exhibits so unless they're a high priority for you then I'd say skip that section.
All in all a very nice zoo that probably looks leaps and bounds better in the summer, and somewhere I'd definitely return to.
There is a huge clue in the name of the zoo as to what its like,that being Welsh MOUNTAIN zoo, that side if you want a challenge visit in a force 8 gale the paddock area is interesting in those conditions,on a side note the tamarin enclosure used to be the old chimp enclosure, and what the gibbons have now used to be two separate enclosure for the gibbons and olive baboon, so it's come along way since those days.
I am very fond of WMZ and it is currently my closest "proper" zoo. The sea eagles are white-tailed not Steller's but I agree the aviary for them is a lot better than the condor one. You mentioned not much of the bird collection but there is definitely some highlights including black-faced ibis, lemon dove, lesser rhea and kalij pheasant, all of which are British rarities.
The lar gibbon enclosure is currently in the beginnings of being renovated and the reptile house is also due to be rebuilt. The zoo is definitely nicer in the summer and they also have a bird show going on then I believe.
The lar gibbon enclosure is currently in the beginnings of being renovated and the reptile house is also due to be rebuilt. The zoo is definitely nicer in the summer and they also have a bird show going on then I believe.
Yeah, in my head it was going to be just like walking up Dudley to the castle. I was very much mistaken...
That does sound grim, definitely an improvement then!
My mistake, thanks for the correction.
Genuinely blanking on those two species, but I remember the pheasant and rhea. Where are those housed?
Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
I had heard that Bodafon Farm Park had closed but had no idea about the Welsh Owl Garden. What a terrible shame as it had a lovely collection and some very interesting mustelids in particular.
The black-faced ibis are held with the condors. I can't say I have ever come across the lemon doves but if I were to guess I'd say the African aviary.
The doves are in the African aviary.
Laboratory 7
Well-Known Member
From what I understand the closure of the Welsh owl garden is a temporary situation while a new site is found closer to the owners home.
Day 3, Part 2 - The Low Point!
After finishing at Welsh Mountain I managed to get down the hill and to the station in about twenty minutes, gravity doing most of the hard work for me! Arrived at the station, hopped on a train and travelled a couple of stops back towards Chester to Rhyl and the final aquarium of the trip, The Seaquarium (hate that name!).
Having had the worst walk to a zoo I've ever had in the morning I was pleased to find the aquarium was a ten minute stroll from the station along a flat road. Unfortunately that was the most pleasant part of the visit as the place was looking decidedly rundown once inside.
I've been putting this review off as I have nothing really positive to say, but I suppose the entry price was reasonable, the tanks weren't overstocked, and African Fur Seals were quite a nice species to see despite their enclosure being rather small and barren.
I didn't realise at the time but this collection was due to close it's doors just three days after my visit, but looking back there were definite signs. The collection was the commonest of the common, with rescued pet turtles being the opening exhibit, a large tropical tank being home to a pair of Axolotl, catsharks and dogfish in nearly every large tank (And dominating the small main tank), and an unseen Common Octopus being some of the "highlights". Another positive though, I was told to expect filthy glass but viewing was relatively clear on most exhibits, fur seals being the big exception.
As for customer facilities, well the toilets are the worst I've ever used in a zoo within the UK as nowhere else ever had black mould under the urinals and around the windows, and after getting a small pot of tea I was shocked to find that all the sugar and sweetener sachets had got damp, leaving me with barely drinkable tea!
All in all I was probably here for forty five minutes, went round twice, was deeply uninspired, and should have worked out it was on the verge of closure by the general air of apathy surrounding the place... Not somewhere I'd have been rushing back to but I'm glad I got there just before it closed.
Having left the aquarium I had just under an hour to kill before my train was due so popped into a pub opposite the station to kill the time and try and cheer me up after my dismal zoo visit. Whilst waiting I checked my hotel reservation for the evening to find I was getting a free breakfast which was unexpected but welcome as funds were running low.
Finished my beer, headed into Chester and walked the mile to my only proper hotel of the trip - The Brookside Hotel, and for £42 for the night with breakfast thrown in I was happy to be spending my last night in (relative) luxury, with a double bed and a proper bath and everything! I was so happy with these small comforts that it was only at about eight thirty pm that I was some distance from an actual pub, and far too far to be walk after the mornings excursion... So I proceeded to drink in the hotel bar for an hour or so before heading to bed ahead of the last zoo of the trip the following morning.
After finishing at Welsh Mountain I managed to get down the hill and to the station in about twenty minutes, gravity doing most of the hard work for me! Arrived at the station, hopped on a train and travelled a couple of stops back towards Chester to Rhyl and the final aquarium of the trip, The Seaquarium (hate that name!).
Having had the worst walk to a zoo I've ever had in the morning I was pleased to find the aquarium was a ten minute stroll from the station along a flat road. Unfortunately that was the most pleasant part of the visit as the place was looking decidedly rundown once inside.
I've been putting this review off as I have nothing really positive to say, but I suppose the entry price was reasonable, the tanks weren't overstocked, and African Fur Seals were quite a nice species to see despite their enclosure being rather small and barren.
I didn't realise at the time but this collection was due to close it's doors just three days after my visit, but looking back there were definite signs. The collection was the commonest of the common, with rescued pet turtles being the opening exhibit, a large tropical tank being home to a pair of Axolotl, catsharks and dogfish in nearly every large tank (And dominating the small main tank), and an unseen Common Octopus being some of the "highlights". Another positive though, I was told to expect filthy glass but viewing was relatively clear on most exhibits, fur seals being the big exception.
As for customer facilities, well the toilets are the worst I've ever used in a zoo within the UK as nowhere else ever had black mould under the urinals and around the windows, and after getting a small pot of tea I was shocked to find that all the sugar and sweetener sachets had got damp, leaving me with barely drinkable tea!
All in all I was probably here for forty five minutes, went round twice, was deeply uninspired, and should have worked out it was on the verge of closure by the general air of apathy surrounding the place... Not somewhere I'd have been rushing back to but I'm glad I got there just before it closed.Having left the aquarium I had just under an hour to kill before my train was due so popped into a pub opposite the station to kill the time and try and cheer me up after my dismal zoo visit. Whilst waiting I checked my hotel reservation for the evening to find I was getting a free breakfast which was unexpected but welcome as funds were running low.
Finished my beer, headed into Chester and walked the mile to my only proper hotel of the trip - The Brookside Hotel, and for £42 for the night with breakfast thrown in I was happy to be spending my last night in (relative) luxury, with a double bed and a proper bath and everything! I was so happy with these small comforts that it was only at about eight thirty pm that I was some distance from an actual pub, and far too far to be walk after the mornings excursion... So I proceeded to drink in the hotel bar for an hour or so before heading to bed ahead of the last zoo of the trip the following morning.
Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
I couldn't agree more about Rhyl @Brum It's a very standard collection with nothing that makes it special or out of the ordinary. I found it very much like a SeaLife but had far less interesting taxa and as you said found every chance to squeeze another dogfish and catshark in a tank. At least they had Grey bamboo sharks (only UK holder or was) It's always a shame when any facility shuts and does make me wonder where the fur seals, common seals and other occupants will end up. I feel there is no great loss in a place like this, just some memories of when I was a young child and enjoying the inside of a shark display.
Laboratory 7
Well-Known Member
To answer the question where stuff will end up fur seals at flamingoland, common seals at Combe Martin and all the native marine life Anglesey sea zoo..
It put me in mid of Sea Life Chessington but a bit more solidly built, and it's worth noting that it started life as a Sea Life Centre back in the mid-nineties.
Both species have been rehomed as far as I'm aware, with the Common Seals having left by the time of my visit.
Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
It put me in mid of Sea Life Chessington but a bit more solidly built, and it's worth noting that it started life as a Sea Life Centre back in the mid-nineties.
Ah interesting, that explains the general architecture of the building too!
Day 4 - The End Is In Sight...
I awoke early this morning, looking forward to a sit down breakfast and a leisurely stroll and short bus journey for a change. Breakfast wasn't the best, not as nice as my baguette the morning before but infinitely better than the bacon roll I'd had in Blackpool, but the journey was a delight after some ridiculous journeys over the past few days. I left my hotel at 9:20 and was at the zoo just before opening after a half mile walk and twenty minute bus trip.
Upon arrival I met up with a friend and fellow enthusiast (and former ZooChat poster) and we spent the morning going around and having a good old gossip about all things zoo, and a catch-up about our actual lives as well. At around twelve I was left to my own devices so proceeded to head to the best exhibit at Chester, the pub... In my defence it was a bit chilly and the thought of a brandy and beer in front of an open fire was too tempting!
As for my thoughts on the collection as a whole, well, what can I say that hasn't been said on here before? It's leaps and bounds above any other collection in the UK when it comes to breadth and variety, the exhibitry is generally great even if there's some heavy-handed theming here and there, and there's nothing at Chester that really screams "Fix me now!" which is fairly impressive with a zoo of its size.
Looking at the two developments that were under construction during my visit, one is going to be very impressive indeed judging by the scope and size of the area, whereas the second one seemed to me to be smaller than something I'd seen the day before at Welsh Mountain. I'm talking here about the Africa exhibit which looks like it will be immense, I mean the construction site is absolutely huge, and then the (now open) Snow Leopard enclosure which looked pretty big but seemed significantly smaller than the one just over the border in Wales...
Only major disappointments were the Okapi house being closed due to the introduction of a new duiker, the Tuatara being off-show still stings, and I failed to see the baby sifaka but other than that it was a grand visit. I finished off back at the pub so I could take the long way back to exit and see the lanterns display lit up.
Back into Chester I headed, and I had an hour and half to kill before my train so grabbed a sausage roll, headed to the Town Crier pub opposite the station and had a final pint before heading back to Birmingham and back to reality.
Summary post to follow at some point, it maybe later today or maybe in another week... Who knows?
I awoke early this morning, looking forward to a sit down breakfast and a leisurely stroll and short bus journey for a change. Breakfast wasn't the best, not as nice as my baguette the morning before but infinitely better than the bacon roll I'd had in Blackpool, but the journey was a delight after some ridiculous journeys over the past few days. I left my hotel at 9:20 and was at the zoo just before opening after a half mile walk and twenty minute bus trip.
Upon arrival I met up with a friend and fellow enthusiast (and former ZooChat poster) and we spent the morning going around and having a good old gossip about all things zoo, and a catch-up about our actual lives as well. At around twelve I was left to my own devices so proceeded to head to the best exhibit at Chester, the pub... In my defence it was a bit chilly and the thought of a brandy and beer in front of an open fire was too tempting!
As for my thoughts on the collection as a whole, well, what can I say that hasn't been said on here before? It's leaps and bounds above any other collection in the UK when it comes to breadth and variety, the exhibitry is generally great even if there's some heavy-handed theming here and there, and there's nothing at Chester that really screams "Fix me now!" which is fairly impressive with a zoo of its size.
Looking at the two developments that were under construction during my visit, one is going to be very impressive indeed judging by the scope and size of the area, whereas the second one seemed to me to be smaller than something I'd seen the day before at Welsh Mountain. I'm talking here about the Africa exhibit which looks like it will be immense, I mean the construction site is absolutely huge, and then the (now open) Snow Leopard enclosure which looked pretty big but seemed significantly smaller than the one just over the border in Wales...
Only major disappointments were the Okapi house being closed due to the introduction of a new duiker, the Tuatara being off-show still stings, and I failed to see the baby sifaka but other than that it was a grand visit. I finished off back at the pub so I could take the long way back to exit and see the lanterns display lit up.
Back into Chester I headed, and I had an hour and half to kill before my train so grabbed a sausage roll, headed to the Town Crier pub opposite the station and had a final pint before heading back to Birmingham and back to reality.
Summary post to follow at some point, it maybe later today or maybe in another week... Who knows?
The Round Up
The trip as a whole was well worth it, it wasn't expensive, I got a total of four (five if I'm counting Blackpool) new collections, and I visited five new pubs as well as revisiting two in Chester. Manchester and Bolton were entirely new places, neither were looking their best in the rain though. North Wales was bleak, and Rhyl is a shadow of what it once was as it was a popular holiday spot back when I were a lad.
In total the whole trip was around £340 in total, and that included all zoo entry tickets, train fares, and hotels, along with all food and drink consumed, going to two places with free entry certainly helped keep costs down, and I didn't have to pay for Chester either. The only saving I could have got but failed to was the locals ticket at the Seaquarium... I tried but my Welsh accent and lack of proof didn't convince the woman taking my money! I've got tentative plans to get back up that way to do Liverpool World Museum as I'm a sucker for a free zoological attraction, and having only visited Liverpool for the first time last month I'm itching to get back!
All in all a very successful trip, and one I'm keen to replicate in a different part of the country this coming Autumn.
The trip as a whole was well worth it, it wasn't expensive, I got a total of four (five if I'm counting Blackpool) new collections, and I visited five new pubs as well as revisiting two in Chester. Manchester and Bolton were entirely new places, neither were looking their best in the rain though. North Wales was bleak, and Rhyl is a shadow of what it once was as it was a popular holiday spot back when I were a lad.
In total the whole trip was around £340 in total, and that included all zoo entry tickets, train fares, and hotels, along with all food and drink consumed, going to two places with free entry certainly helped keep costs down, and I didn't have to pay for Chester either. The only saving I could have got but failed to was the locals ticket at the Seaquarium... I tried but my Welsh accent and lack of proof didn't convince the woman taking my money! I've got tentative plans to get back up that way to do Liverpool World Museum as I'm a sucker for a free zoological attraction, and having only visited Liverpool for the first time last month I'm itching to get back!
All in all a very successful trip, and one I'm keen to replicate in a different part of the country this coming Autumn.
Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
Sounds like you had a good time @Brum apart from the obviously difficult transportation and the hike to the Welsh Mountain Zoo. I too have planned a visit at some point to revisit the museum in Liverpool as the last time I visited I went especially for the Terracotta Army display and annoyingly missed the natural history area of the museum. I hope too to revisit Bolton soon too.
I'm glad you got the classic North West weather, drizzle. It just wouldn't have been the same without it
I'm glad you got the classic North West weather, drizzle. It just wouldn't have been the same without it
We intended to do it last month but when we arrived in Liverpool we found out all of the municipal museums were closed due to strike action... So we had to make do with a ferry cross the Mersey, a shedload of Beatles related activities, and visiting some of Liverpool's pubs and clubs including one very important club in particular!
Weather on the whole wasn't too bad, the Manchester and Bolton day was pretty grim, but Blackpool was glorious, Chester started off cold but improved as the day wore on, and Wales was just meh.I'm glad you got the classic North West weather, drizzle. It just wouldn't have been the same without it