Hello, nature lovers! When I'm not in the studio creating nature inspired paint your own pottery kits, you can often find me exploring the great outdoors or visiting amazing places filled with wildlife. Recently, I had the pleasure of spending a delightful day at the Hunstanton Sealife Centre and I thought I’d bring you along with me on my adventure out of the studio.
From fascinating penguin talks to heartwarming seal pup rescues, it was a day brimming with ocean wonders and unforgettable moments. Plus broccoli (More on that later).
Nostalgia Under the Waves:
I had the pleasure of babysitting my niece for a couple of days and had decided we were going to have a brilliant explore on the beach. The weather however, had other ideas. The sun had turned down our invitation to join us on the beach and instead we had the rain cloud relation join the party (we’ve all got one).
In true British style, I’d planned a day at the seaside and we were going to have a day at the seaside…whatever the weather.
Buckets & spades were shoved back in the car & an introduction to the wonders of the Sealife centre was made instead. Recreating for my niece what I’d done many moons ago as a child her age. To be honest I think I turned into more of a child than her when we started wandering round the tanks. After convincing her she couldn’t get eaten by anything due to the glass we started our Sealife adventure together.
Penguin Parade: A Waddle of Fun
A surprise for both of us was the penguin enclosure and the feed/talk we watched. I had no idea how much she loved penguins (and by the look on her face neither did she).
On more than one occasion did I have to rein in her ridiculously long arms from the temptation of stroking one. Although I have to admit even I was tempted. But we resisted like the good little visitors we were. Making it through the day, managing to only gently poke a starfish in the ‘touch and learn’ area.
After the discovery of a new found penguin love (and a pat down to make sure none had mysteriously made it into our pockets) it was time for a quick pitstop for lunch and onto more marine life.
Seal Spectacular: Meeting the Ocean's Playful Pups
Hearty lunch devoured (at least for my niece, who claimed she wasn’t hungry but proceeded to eat all of her kids meal and half of my sandwich. Now I know how her legs are so long…they’re hollow) we made our way to the seals.
Another well timed talk and feed (all planned of course!) gave us both a fantastic view of them, in and out the water. Made all the more memorable by a cheeky seagull swooping in to steal a fish midair, much to my niece’s delight (let’s hope she doesn’t get ideas of how to get more of my food).
Seeing the rescue seal pups is always a double-edged sword. On one hand we got to see some very young pups up close, but on the other it means they’ve lost their parent from the nearby seal colony. The saving grace is that they are in the second-best place they can be. All going well they should make it back to their colony in the future. After another pocket pat-down it was on to the main event of most aquariums… the underwater tunnel & big tank.
Main Aquarium: A World of Underwater Wildlife Wonders
There’s something quite magical and awe-inspiring about being underwater, surrounded by creatures of the deep & being very much in their habitat. It truly makes you appreciate how amazing they are. The standout favourite of the tank had to be the Green Sea Turtle call Ernie (potentially the fasted sea turtle in the west).
During our conversations I asked my niece what she thought Ernie would eat. To which she replied, with no hesitation, broccoli. After a little giggle to myself and a silent wish for this adorable 4 year old to never change, we enjoyed an impromptu talk with a staff member.
We remained staring up into the tank whilst listening to all the facts and figures about it’s inhabitants. The talk moved on to Ernie and what his life is like. Gliding around the tank with majestic ease. Swimming right above our heads to queue up for his food.
The words ‘he enjoys kale and some shrimps’ drifted over the speakers. The turtle stretching up to the water surface. “but his favourite food is on it’s way now” the lady said. Craning to reach his treat, there was a plop in the water. There floating through the blue hued water was an unmistakable florette of broccoli! Hahaha never will I forget the day I learnt the very important lesson of being able to learn something from a 4 year old.
Ending the day at Hunstanton Sealife Centre:
One giftshop traversed like a military assault course and one ice cream on a very windy and rainy seashore later, we made our way back home. Although the original plan was for some fun on the sand, the rain created an unforgettable & fun filled day out for us both.
Not only did we both have fun looking and learning about the animals (and from each other), but I also had the opportunity to introduce her to the amazement of underwater life. It’s experiences like these that inspire my creativity and fuel my passion for sharing how incredible our natural world is. Who knows where my wildlife wonders will take me next, but you’re welcome along for the ride.
Feeling inspired? Why not bring a piece of nature into your home with my nature inspired ceramic kits? And don't forget to share your own wildlife adventures or creations with me on social media using @ArtyPax Let's celebrate the wonders of nature together!
Thank you for joining me on this adventure, and happy painting!
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