Today I'm determined not to sit in front of the computer or behind a beading tray all day and we head off to The Bird of Prey Centre in Bedfordshire for a half day introductory course.

I wasn't sure what to expect and remembered when we got there that I'm quite scared of birds but we were put at ease and before we knew it were handling an owl, a Harris Hawk and a Falcon.

The owl, called Steve, was only young but was fully grown and weighed only 7 ounces. If I'd have thought I could get away with it I would have put him in my pocket and taken him home. He made a deep growling noise which reminded me of my much missed, grumpy, old cat which died earlier this year. The idea of owning a grumpy owl who'd sit on my desk, keeping me company and expressing his disapproval all day seems marvellous. But it wasn't to be.

Next we had the opportunity to have different birds fly to our hands (usually tempted with some raw meat) and then watch a display which included a trained stork and two bald eagles swooping over our heads.

I hadn't ever been so close to such beautiful birds and it was a pleasure, though I don't think I'd ever dare to go near them without the big leather glove.