That time of year, night visits begin again at the Centre
The huge stone fireplace in the newly renovated barn cackled and hissed as it mesmerised us with its hypnotic flames. Sitting amidst the light dancing with the shadows of the huge inglenock fire, myself and Tony couldn't help but consider the possibilities of sharing the sensations of the Wolf sanctuary during the twilight hours.
Whilst absorbing the gothic like splendour of the renovated stone barn, lit by the roaring fire and numerous candles dotted around the stone walls and wooden beams, the Wolves struck up their usual chorus outside and we knew that here was an experience that could really compliment the day time visits to the sanctuary. Night time visits were born!
The woods are a sensory delight at any time but especially so during the night, particularly as most of its inhabitants are nocturnal. It is also easy for visitors not to realise that the Wolves themselves are mostly active at night, and tend to rest during the day except during the excitement of feeding and visits. Anyone who has stayed overnight at the Centre, will be familiar with the increased howling activity, especially during the early hours.
During the darker nights running between September and March, beginning around 19.30 and finishing around 22.00 we now run the night time visit experience. They are held on a Saturday night, enabling members to return on Sunday if they wish so they can enjoy the daytime experience as well, which is quite different and a wonderful compliment.
For those of you not familiar with the current day time visits, they are primarily a visual experience where you see, feed and may even meet the resident Wolves during a tour of the valley sanctuary. By contrast the night time visitors will need to be equipped with head torches, whilst being guided around a different route to maximise the sensory delights of the forests and trails of the Wolf valley. Contact with the Wolves and the wilderness in the valley will primarily be through sound, with the amazing experience of howling being virtually guaranteed.
Information to book dates, arranging overnight local acommodation and directions, are supplied as always when members are in receipt of their passes and not before. Further information concerning this new event will be published on the web site in due course.
Craig Ennis, WWUK volunteer
