We arrived as the clouds started to roll in. The clouds definitely looked increasingly threatening as darkness rolled in.
Storm Darragh is coming.
Part of the Christmas tradition now is to visit the December Illuminations at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park. They are definitely the largest illuminations around here, taking at least a good hour to walk round. Looking at the forecast, wind and rain due to hit Doncaster just after 5pm, this year time was short. Maybe I’m old fashioned but walking around outside illuminations works way better when you’re not dripping wet and frozen.
We made it to the last section before the heavens opened up. I really felt for the families (lots of them) arriving as we headed out to find warming hot drinks and food. There would be no cover whatsoever for them on their 2 mile trek from the now set in wind and rain. I so hope they could still enjoy the experience, we definitely did.
We were so lucky to get to see the lights as the site was closed today on weather safety grounds.
A Dad trying to cope with the loss of his Partner and becoming a single parent. 
WOW! This is spectacular! You were so fortunate to see the entire display before the weather turned nasty. Your photos are fantastic, Gary; thanks for sharing them! 🤩
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Storm Darragh hit us hard! So glad you got to see the lights! 🙂 wish I was able to see the photos!
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I love the fish one 🐟🐠🐡 especially as I think it would be quite apt for this weather.
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WOW, Gary, this light show goes above and beyond!! So glad you got to see it just before the terrible storm hit. Thanks for sharing these spectacular pics.
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Looks wonderful! Glad you got to see everything before the storm set in.
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Thanks for sharing. So beautiful! 😍
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What beautiful illuminations! I particularly like the pair of Louis Catorzes guarding the gateway to the Egyptian underworld. 🐈⬛
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It looks like agreat show, wonderful photos so pleased you got round before the storm hit. Hope you got home safely and you’ve survived storm Darrah safely. Hope you and children loved it. Such a same for those who went this weekend.💜💜
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Beautiful setting! It’s great to celebrate this darkest season with joyful light!
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It so is, becoming a rarity in the uk
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Beautiful pics, Gary. Very bright sharp colours! Love the one of Bifrost!
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Was way more but so difficult to photograph with a phone at night
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You did Grade A++!
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looks like they have a very impressive array of illumination there! especially like the 🐉
-✧✦☆❖◈❋✤☆✦-∞-♡-∞-✦☆✤❋◈❖☆✦✧-
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So much variety, must take ages to set up
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What a brilliant display. I’m glad you timed it well. Thanks for sharing Gary
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It was fun
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🤩🤩🤩
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Sooo pretty! Thank you for sharing… I want to go to a light walk here but don’t know if I can manage the walking part.
Another blogger, who appeared in Reader right before you, also blogged about the storm. She’s currently traveling in Wales. I guess I should google the storm (thx to Rump’s election, I’ve stopped watching the news).
Stay safe, warm, and dry!!
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Wales got it way worse
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Oh noes! I think she moved on to AU already… or I’m crossing up my bloggers.
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Wow, what wonderful lights, and the rest. Glad that you both got home safe!
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It’s a great experience
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It looks absolutely fabulous. There used to be a beautiful event in Roundhay Park but it hasn’t run for a couple of years. We’re going to Temple Newsam but it won’t be a patch on these. I’ll remember them if we’re back next year. Wonderful photos!
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I went once, it was really good, shame it’s stopped
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So very well captured
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Thank you Derrick
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Those lights are great. What a nice idea to have them all in a park where they can be enjoyed as a group. I do hope they have not been damaged by the storm which I gather was vicious.
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It’s in a zoo and they use the walkways and free areas, it’s a huge site
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How wonderful Gary! Thanks for sharing your awesome photos.
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Thanks Di
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The light show looks very good. I hope they survived the storm
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Thankfully they have reopened
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Wow. These are so beautiful and magical, Gary. I love the variety of the illuminations and the lit up bridge and the lit up tunnel. So magical, despite and in spite of the rain and cold.
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There was a huge fountain display where they projected images onto it with music, absolutely stunning
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Great pictures!!
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Thank you ❤️
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Well it clearly helps to be part of the seriously dark skies society because these stand out brilliantly. We have some in Crystal Palace but in truth they lack a certain something in comparison because the background is too light
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It helps that we don’t have any street lighting at all and are miles from anywhere that does
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Neat! I like the rainbow path, particularly.
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It constantly changed colour.
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❤️
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Thank you for sharing the photos. It does indeed look magical.
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❤️
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The bridge is my favourite.
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It looked amazing in real life
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Was that beloved Nessie in one of the photos?
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Wow! Fascinating and beautiful!
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