This is it the final word from me to blogland. The truth is I've loved putting thoughts to paper and in these final words I thought I should sum up what Not In My Nature means to me.

I'm so impressed with all I've seen, learnt and experienced. I'm so impressed with Iolo, the experts, my fellow VICTIMS and the crew.

It's all been a dream and the word privilege, over used as it is, sums up NIMN for me.

I hope you have enjoyed my blogs - thanks for joining me on my NIMN journey.

Chris ;0)

Watch the reaction from Ponthir Church Youth Club.

After that I was ready to record the first part of the companion Radio Wales show about local Newport wildlife (which will be broadcast on Sunday 20 July). I refuse the gag - it's too obvious and too easy ;0)

Before we could get going I waited outside and caught up with my spider counting - spider expert on his way tomorrow - to check out if we have any house to go with the collection of spiders we live in :0)

Eventually, with expert Matthew in charge, out we went to find grass snakes. We met in Bettws and took a short walk up by the canal, which, although small, had almost as much duck action as we saw at the Wetlands.

We had a great walk. While recording me, Radio Wales reporter Nan nearly fell in a small pool. There were no grass snakes but instead two huge shed skins - the biggest is over 4ft long - SOME MIGHTY SNAKE. We chatted and before long it was over, but not before I got to see and handle three grass snakes. EXCELLENT.

Facts I've learnt about grass snakes. When they're threatened they:

- Play dead
- Wee - release foul-smelling musk
- Run away - a la Monty Python
- Flatten head - adder impression

Another pefect day. Very Lou Reed. Obscure musical reference ;0)

We laughed - tinged with a degree of shame :0(
But at least I had the wetsuit on - not like in parts of episode three - Speedogate!

The place was much colder than my previous visit, but such is life. We headed out without a map - straight to dead end - good start.

Soon we were on the right path and saw some Canadian geese, a pair of mute swans with three cygnets and the infamous coots had a huge array of fluffy chicks.

Overall the bird song was loud - but it took us 15 minutes with the RSPB guidebook to establish this was a reed warbler. Iolo would have taken 15 seconds. Doh!

Most birds remained well hidden - my reputation has obviously gone before me!

I managed to find the site of the MUD incident -tide was in, mud well covered. I pointed a finger at the scene of the crime - still keeping all mud at a healthy distance ;0)

After 2 hours we made it back to the excellent visitors centre for some cakes - but of course not quite as good as Kate's.

I also bought a fluffy puffin for Lucy to take to school to show her class. Some of the 4/5 year olds actually watch the show and Mr Edwards' adventures are discussed in class :0)

So, Newport Wetlands. We were so chilled - chilled out - not cold. It might have been the absence of cameras, Kate and Carly. Or maybe it was being mud free, who knows. We will return :0)

I've done some radio stuff in the past - interviews for the rock band I was in. I was also a DJ for a while on a charity radio station. I had my own RAWK SHOW playing Metal, Prog and Rock. All my faves. Happy days.

In I go - Jamie, Lisa and the crew were very friendly people. I soon relaxed and went live with Kate a disembodied voice in the Mold studio. As is Kate's way she did most of the talking ;0) I threw in the odd comment, including a public apology re: Speedogate. The time sped by - I had a brief "off air" chat with Kate - who told me she was very nervous - but it didn't show.

I then popped in to see the NIMN crew to collect my wellies and had a special sneak preview of the next episode. I f you thought Speedogate was bad - MUDGATE, doh!

View Chris's video diaries.

Next task we head for Oxwich Bay in the Gower to do some rock pooling.

This is my sort of thing. As a kid I would fish for crabs. I even went out in the Oxwich area many moons ago with a crab hook - which sounds as nasty as it was - but we were eating the crabs.

Sadly this is more of my iffy childhood victimisation of the wildlife of Wales :0(

I had never seen a live starfish but I have now seen 100s. FANTASTIC. This included one larger specimen about 6 inches in size.

We saw lots of crabs including 3 red-eyed "devils" - velvet shore crabs - vicious blighters. One took a nip at Iolo and drew blood. I was sure they were out for revenge for my past indiscretions :0(

The pools were crammed with all sorts of seashore stuff and to be honest I could have carried on for hours.

But this was not universally agreed, as Julie disappeared to sunbathe and the other group of three seemed to have a bit of a falling out - such is life.

I will return here - with Lucy, Ben and Emma. Beautiful place with fantastic rock pools.

The night before this trip we sat and watched ourselves in Episode 1 of Not In My Nature and while eating a meal I lifted a chair, twisted a knee and was in various degrees of pain from then on. But nothing would stop me playing my part in whatever was ahead.

On to the island there were puffins everywhere. Wow, these birds are so tiny - I had visions of them being more around the size of penguins. Shows how little I know ;0)

Apart from the puffins, there were loads and loads of birds. Several types of Lloyd's faves - gulls - and other stuff, including razorbills and many more.

The scene is full of birds in flight, on the water, hanging to the rock faces or standing in groups, by the burrows.

Experts on hand, we start task one - trying to spot 5 puffins who have very small geo satellite tracking devices attached to the leg. This was never going to be easy (needle in haystack). It required patience but most of my fellow recruits only lasted 5 mins and grumbles started to surface. Then it quickly moved to mass sunbathing.

I suppose this show is called Not In My Nature but sadly this is near the end. HAS IOLO FAILED ?

Things were quickly brought back on track, with a change of focus. Tim, our expert, brings us a puffin and a ball of fluff (puffin chick). What a privilege. Getting hands on with these remarkable little birds, everybody back on track.

We did the same with the Manx shearwater; over 100,000 live on Skomer - this is half the world's population.

These birds stay out at sea in the day - returning to their burrows after dark - as they are attacked and eaten by gulls and others. The remains of the Manx shearwaters - who got it wrong are found all over the island. It's a tough world :0(

We then walked to the Wick (knee still bugging me) a huge slab of bird infested rock sooo big with soooo many birds.

There were more puffins that waddle a couple of feet in front of you - in a style of walk which is a mixture of penguin and Charlie Chaplin. I love puffins :0)

We sat in the midst of the puffin burrows and it was so special - then a final chat with Iolo and some secret bubbly shared.

It was over - the rain came and we slowly made our way over to the Dale Princess and 15 minutes later dry (very wet) land.

This was a special ending to an incredibly special time. For me, Not In My Nature had become Now In My Nature ;0)

Abul is such a character, our Muslim magic man.
As long as you're not a hedgehog, he will join in any plan.
We abseiled down as brothers, you should have seen him smile.
But to camp again with midges, Abul would run a mile.

Carly, youngest of the group, you never hear her swear?
With bed head on the telly, arm movements everywhere.
Talks and talks and if she stops she even does some singing.
If Carly does not like something her catchphrase is "It's Minging".

Lloyd loves black grouse and waiting, and can smoke in any spot.
Frequently hung over, but he makes us laugh a lot.
But when it comes to wildlife, Lloyd seems to like it smelly.
As Lloyd still thinks that ugly gulls are the best things on the telly.

Kate is a cook and thinker, who is not afraid to moan.
Snakes are clearly one thing she would prefer to see by phone.
For all her difficult moments, she still played her part.
Kate was never challenged as the groups' own 'Queen of Tarts'.

Chris, well old he may be, with a body made to match.
But when it comes to camping, he seems to have a knack.
He smiled his way through most tasks, always keen to have a go.
But the shot of him in Speedos made the whole of Wales cry NO!

Iolo is the leader, who suffered much its true.
Experts he is used to - but moaners, this is new.
Iolo had a giggle as he took us by the hand.
Proud to show his Wales, to our motley little band.

So we gather in Cardiff keen to hit the road. Horses on the Gower. It must be between 20-25 years since I last sat on a horse. Previous to this, at 12 years of age, I was a jockey in a Donkey Derby - and I fell off.

So a rethink was in order and out came me new horse, William. Quick lesson from Olive and we were on our way.

Now William and I were soul mates. William was laid back almost horizontal just like me. Others had horses with attitude but William was hyper cool

Another cracker. Blue skies, sunshine and we are soon on the beach. What a start to the day. I was soooo happy I kept humming the theme to 70's kids programme White Horses with a bit of Black Beauty thrown in for good measure

Another fun task - I think even William enjoyed it even with 18 stone on his back ;0)

So, we had been naughty. The bird watching - or the almost total inability to bird watch - had a consequence - IOLO'S REVENGE.

There were ragworms to be found and Carly went even more nutty than usual. Bit too much like the hated, vicious, man-eating beasts that we more commonly know as earthworms. Carly hates earthworms - THEY'RE MINGING ;0)

On the shore, things were messy and muddy and one or two of the crew chose to sit out parts of the filming. Tee hee! Then it was out into what I quickly discovered was the deeper mud.

Unfotunately I didn't really notice that I was sinking fast, but before long I forgot about the ragworms and began attempting to dig myself out. As I dug out one foot, the other foot got stuck. As I dug that foot out, the other foot got stuck etc.

Soon I noticed everyone else was back at the shore - BUT NOT ME. I continued my strength-sapping task until my feet were free & I made a quick decision to proceed on all fours and full speed ahead. I was plastered and pooped but I finally understood why the Pope kisses so much tarmac as I planted a kiss on the muddy shoreline - free at last.

After some interesting views through the microscope and much more winding up of Carly, a quick shower, a fast journey to Cardiff and I was in work. Man, did I enjoy finishing and arriving back home at 1.00am.

I've seen enough MUD for several lifetimes - but of course I would do it again. After all, I would never wish to appear a STICK IN THE MUD ;0)

So I had to try and make it happen - and to cut a long story short I get agreement to start later, so filming should be OK. This is confirmed at 7.00pm the night before - just in time.

Wellies are ready and primed and researcher Bethan has warned me of mud, mud, glorious mud. So with my accident track record - mud from head to foot seems a disticnt possibility which could be fun - especially with a full working day to follow.

We shall see.

Carly & Kate & little olde me under the expert guidance of Iolo saw badgers. REAL LIVING wild badgers at a set.

At one point I managed to scare the badgers with a squeeky shoe. Doh! But a love of peanuts kept drawing the badgers back like Homer Simpson and his love of Duff.

Silence or virtual silence from all of us was nothing short of a miracle - especially when compared to my previous Wetlands experience.

This was a WOW. In fact a double WOW.

Hidden Wales uncovered, badgers with a very special silent beauty.

:0 )

Just a 20 minute journey this time and we get to the location. What luxury :0)
Home turf for me - but as expected I have never been to Newport Wetlands before. Soon after chat and chomp we hit the reserve and it becomes clear this is going to be a tough session.

Carly, being Carly, was trying to curb her more colourful language with success equal to Chelsea at penalty shoot outs :0 (

While Iolo remained with us apathy bubbled up, but was held in check. When Iolo left us on our own, it was ANARCHY IN THE UK. I tried, I really tried showing both Carly & Kate ducks and fluffy chicks through the telescope. BUT NO. Soon the playpen was open and lists of birds we had seen, became a collection of the good and the great of the world of entertainment - ORVILLE, BIG BIRD ETC. And I'm afraid if you can't beat 'em join 'em. We had a great laugh.

But nature fell into the background and the silly season took over. I felt so sorry for Iolo - I really think I let the side down.

I will return to Newport Wetlands - on Wednesday morning, in fact. My wife Lucy is taking a class of reception children from Langstone School & I'm bringing my daughter Emma. It will be a little different without Kate & Carly :0)

Newport Wetlands is a wonderful addition to an industrial city & I was proud when Carly & Kate were amazed that Newport could be so beautiful ;0)

Yet again another part of Wales blew my socks off. I 'm looking forward to the next task with Carly & Kate. It's badgers - but I do hope we can be focused on the nature this time, as I really want to see badgers in the wild.

I sadly write to inform everyone in blogland that Scooby our 'old faithful' cat has died.

It's so hard to lose a pet. We've had Scooby for 13 years and he has been well above me in the Edwards household pecking order for many years. With my full agreement, of course!

After one last visit to the vet, Scooby was beaten by massive kidney failure. He's now at peace in the back garden and joins a large selection of pets through the decades who already hold positions in the garden. He'll be missed greatly and many tears will continue to be shed :0(

Scooby R.I.P.

I must admit that as we travelled past the Snowdonia range on the way to Caernarfon I was struck by the size and great beauty of the scene. I'd only seen Snowdon twice previously, once returning from a trip to Portmeirion and once while travelling on a gig with the band.

It was another day, fairly early start - BIG BREAKFAST - which followed a BIG CURRY the night before. BIG MEALS & WALKING MILES NOT RECOMMENDED :0)

We just about made the train and it was off up the mountain - fantastic views, but with a 45-minute drone of a recorded voice coming over the tannoy, I was almost wishing I was in work.

I said ALMOST ;0)

We get off at the mid way station and the path to Snowdon lies ahead. I set off keen. Iolo had told us this was a boring path - if this is boring, I'm an Olympic gold medal winner. The first part of the walk was huge and slippy. I was so glad to get to the top but more than a bit cheesed off by slobs who scatter rubbish in such a fantastic location. I HAD A GOOD RANT. Soon I could see the trig point of Snowdon (The Prize) ahead. We got there, shared a cake and enjoyed an excellent set of views with the odd whisp of cloud.

Before we headed back the 6 of us needed to be interviewed. I was last - DUE TO MY BLUBBER. People can be so hurtful :0(

Some of the interviews seemed to go on forever - I was concerned about the cold, but also very aware of a rapidly filling bladder. With no loo or even suitable cover anywhere in sight, I was as keen to go as quick as Lewis Hamilton on a good day.

In no time, with no mishap I was back at the train BUT our train was not due for 2 hours. We managed to fit 3 on one train, which was delayed as Iolo pampered his (elderly) fanbase with photos and kisses (THE HUSSY). It was clear that space on the next train was an issue and would involve a 30-minute wait . So I made the choice to walk...a BAD CHOICE inspired by a full bladder. I shot off in desperate hope of finding a suitable spot to ease my burden - nearly fell on rocks and walking quickly in this state soon became uncomfortable, so I trailed at the back. Then suddenly I saw a DRY stone wall and after leaving the WET stone wall, I was ready to walk. BUT with relief gained, my knees, ankles and the rest of this bulk I call home, was screaming at me to stop. BUT I WAS NOT STOPPING. My prayers were soon rewarded with a coffee and a bench back at the station :0)

Over two wonderful days Snowdonia exceeded all my expectations.

Watch Chris's video diary.

We arrive at the foot of Snowndon with waterproofs on. I manage to perfect my Michelin Man look & off we go.

We were joined by our expert, ranger Hywel, and we were soon climbing. My breathing was that of a 100 year old man - I'M SO UNFIT. But onward and upward - and soon we began to see the point of this task.

Hywel then took us up close and personal with a rock face and pointed out some yellow globe plants clinging to the side, away from the sheep. I'm quickly warming to Iolo's view on sheep. Too many, too smelly and bad for the environment. They chomp their way through every thing, no matter how rare or endangered and that's without any mention of all the POO!

On to part two of the challenge - abseiling. Now I really thought that this was going to be a piece of pie. HOW WRONG WAS I?

Julie was clearly distressed and I really thought for a while she would say NO WAY. I felt I needed to be a positive friend and although by then I was in full panic mode, this would not have helped, so I kept quiet. Julie is made of stronger stuff and overcame her fear as she completed a safe abseil - INCREDIBLE.

Now Kate was also unsure, but again, first class no problems. The husband and wife team :0) of Lloyd and Carly were FEARLESS. Good on 'em.

This left, Abul and me. The Muslim and the Christian, IN SOLIDARITY.

Abul was a little unsure, but we agreed to ascend together. It was a good job I was not wearing a heart monitor, It would have been OFF THE SCALE.

As Abul descended, I waiting at half way hanging on the rock face, suddenly very at ease. At the bottom Abul celebrated in a very enthusiastic manner, as I quietly left the scene. Inside I was jumping too, but this was Abul's moment.

I was missed out in the interviews and when asked, I confessed I had been terrified. I was surprised that most people seemed to think I was fine - maybe I'm a better actor than I thought :0)

I was so pleased we all made it & on my second go I confirmed to myself, that I too had overcome a fear, one I never knew I had. JOB DONE.

Watch Chris's video diary.