Yesterday, bank holiday Monday, I was enjoying my annual outing in support of the Shepreth Wildlife Conservation Charity.
For more pictures and a chance to comment - please visit THIS version.
And on the drive home had that moment - which you may be familiar with - when you realise that it is actually Monday ... which means the week is shorter than you thought it was going to be and the next BIG THING is much closer to happening ...
That big thing? HedgeFest 2026 - an afternoon and evening of hedgehog fun and games at the Ivy House, Nunhead, London. Money is being raised for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and the People's Trust for Endangered Species - the two charities I work with on the Hedgehog Street campaign.
And which 'Crazy Hedgehog Guy' volunteered to deliver a hedgehog-themed standup session????
Come along and say hi! And if you can't make it, but would like to support the charities - you can drop a few coins here ...
September really means that life is back in gear. I had hoped to leap back into busyness feeling bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Unfortunately I feel like I need a holiday! But no chance of that happening - tomorrow, so that will be Wednesday 2nd Setpember, I am talking to the Highworth Women's Institute at 1400 (that is near Swindon) and on the Thursday, I am at Wild about Wychwood in the evening ... and then preparing for HedgeFest!
Back to yesterday - each year the SWCC has a Hedgehog Day hosted at the Shepreth Wildlife Park. I have been a patron of the charity since it started and really enjoy this day - it was so busy, and I hope they raised loads of money - they have raised over £800,000 since they formed in 2011. Some of this goes into helping the hedgehog hospital - but the rest goes into conservation projects around the world.
It is always a busy day - loads of fascinating conversations with people - and I gave three talks (one from inside the tiger cage!). After which I got a chance to have a look around, and, with my guests, a close encounter with a couple of my favourite animals ... aardvarks and capybaras!
Now - to prepare for HedgeFest ... got an hedgehog jokes you would like to share?