Douglas "Germinal CCXXIV" Brain: Day 47 (5th August 2022)

I didn't go into Looe after all - will do that tomorrow hopefully. I had to do boring chores like laundry and while collecting tokens for the machines, noticed there was a monkey sanctuary close by and visited there instead.

Almost all their animals are rescues from people who kept these beautiful animals as pets and it made me think about when I was 18 and bought a common marmoset from an advert in Loot. I had absolutely no idea how to look after this poor little thing, and after a couple of months, I contacted Drusillas zoo in East Sussex to come and give him the home, care and attention he really needed. I had a long long chat with one of the keepers, a man called Steph who was so non-judgemental and understanding about what I told him. I left feeling slightly better about the awful mistake that I had made all those years ago, especially after hearing some of the stories about their rescues and the state they were in. Considering the times we live in where so much information is available online and that the keeping of animals like these really should not be happening, it is sad that sanctuaries like this even exist. I'm very glad that they do, and that the message they are giving to people about our relationship with other primates (as we too are primates) means that hopefully no one who visits would ever contemplate even having their picture taken with one is acceptable.

I decided to go for a long drive, by-passing Plymouth and ended up at the utterly stunning part of the coast that is stop #103

GARA ROCK

I have to say, my sat-nav (Guy had bought me a second hand version of the one that died a death a few weeks ago) took me through some tiny picturesque villages, another rickety old ferry and some of the most challenging roads (I use the term loosely as they were barely bigger than ancient holloways) I have yet attempted.

When I finally arrived, I was initially somewhat disappointed. There was a big exclusive hotel of the same name and a lot of very flash cars and tanned posh people around. But once I found the coastal footpath, I was rewarded with some stunning coastal views.