A fine weekend

Autumn is well underway leaves turing and nights getting colder, but still regularly around 20 during the day and plenty of blue sky.

A lovely Swallowtail caterpillar paid us a visit

and we found a rather marvelous moth too

Rowan was fascinated

Second attempt to get to A Coruna paid off, the boys always insist on visiting the aquarium centre, Lorena loves it too

we didn't remember seeing the octopuses before they were very friendly.

The starfish looked wonderful as usual

The big tank with the Shark is usually the main Attraction

For one we managed to time it right for seeing the seals being fed.

Mel had a great idea take some shovels to the beach and make sandcastles, although the boys spent much of the time digging holes

No castle is complete without a dragon
Not a bad location for a castle either

A Corunha aquariums

Located near the tower of Hercules is a science museum and a sea life aquarium centre, we decided to visit the aquarium despite seeing some poor reviews online; it turned out to be a great place to spend a few hours. Lots of local fish / critters and a fair few from warmer waters, there is a lot of information to read, and there is an area that is set out like Captn Nemo's Nautilus and outdoor area with seal pools. We were there for three hours and could have stayed for more really but the boys stated to get hungry.

Here is the Nautilus bit not really looking impressive in that photo though

 There was a friendly lobster

I was stung by one of these diving off Mombasa in 1974, not a pleasant experience those feathery bits hide potentially deadly stinging spines.

and another pretty one

and perhaps less pretty but very friendly

hmmm a daft little puffer

Easy to get close up to the friendly seals

unfortunately there is a wet hands area, Rowan ended up with wet arms and tummy as well

some floating jellies

 and a gallery with some impressive photos