I don't do zoos very often. Anymore. Zoos and I don't get on. I'm always telling the story of me and the Very Angry Penguin, so I probably don't need to go over it again (oh, alright. Me. Mr. Angry. My hand. Wrong place, wrong time..). But I have others..
The year before, I'd got lost in London Zoo (or was it Windsor Safari Park? We did both, that school trip). All I know is that turning first left after the candyfloss stand didn't take me where I needed to go. ..But they found me eventually; and I got a big cheer when I got back on the bus, so that was nice.
Next time I tried a Safari Park, my mum turned to me just as we entered the lions' enclosure and said (really - was she joking? I don't think so) "There isn't as much petrol in this car as I'd like". That was the same park (closed, now, funnily enough) which ran the Jungle Extravaganza stage show. Turned out to be a man in a gorilla suit. My sister has had a phobia of fancy dress shops ever since..
So, I've decided I'll stick to my museums and srt galleries. I'm making an exception for Gary the Magnificent, because, as hamsters go, he is pretty cool and -
"Woah, Mum, are you putting this on your blog?" the family has just said. "Because if you are, you need to be honest. You need to tell them the whole story. Sometimes you can manage animals. Sometimes you even like animals. You'd better show them - the monkey.."
So, in the interests of full and frank disclosure, here it is:
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| I think I'm better sticking to felt animals |
Next time I tried a Safari Park, my mum turned to me just as we entered the lions' enclosure and said (really - was she joking? I don't think so) "There isn't as much petrol in this car as I'd like". That was the same park (closed, now, funnily enough) which ran the Jungle Extravaganza stage show. Turned out to be a man in a gorilla suit. My sister has had a phobia of fancy dress shops ever since..
So, I've decided I'll stick to my museums and srt galleries. I'm making an exception for Gary the Magnificent, because, as hamsters go, he is pretty cool and -
"Woah, Mum, are you putting this on your blog?" the family has just said. "Because if you are, you need to be honest. You need to tell them the whole story. Sometimes you can manage animals. Sometimes you even like animals. You'd better show them - the monkey.."
So, in the interests of full and frank disclosure, here it is:
 |
| We only met the once, but I could tell he liked me.. |
51 comments:
Oh that is such a cute photo! Actually I rather dislike monkeys; one stole my camera out of my bag in Malaysia and took it up a tree. Oh I must blog that story, thanks for the reminder Sian!
I just can't be sure that those feelings of 'like' were reciprocated though ;-)
Your handling of all things felt more than makes up for any wildlife shortcomings!
can't decide which is cuter - the felt lion or the photo !!
I can't get over the pushchair - the height of comfort.... NOT!! I love that photo Sian & the story is so funny xx
The felt lion is cute, but the photo is way cuter! Great stoy telling.
Love the felt lion and the story. That photo reminds me of a similar one taking of me and my brother at butlins - I think I will try and dig it out and scrap it! Thanks for prompting my memory.
great story Sian - and even better photo lol!! it's great, i'm sure we have some like that somewhere. Are you scrapping it?
Very entertaining story Sian! Like some of the other commenters, I'm not sure which is cute, the felt lion or the photo! :D
Such a fun story .. but I think to be on the safe side, yes stay away from Zoo's LOL.
Enjoyed reading your story - definitely sounds like you should keep away from zoos. :) Love the little lion.
Brilliantly told story, perfectly illustrated! I so love reading what you write ...
Too funny!
PS I remember pushchairs like that. When you sat in them, they were firm but swung gently. The moveability of the seat was a disadvantage, though. Getting a No-I-won't!-child into them was quite another matter!
given your track record I'd say sticking to felt is probably a good idea!
cute story and I definitely love the honesty required twist at the end, great pic!
cute pic :-) love your little felt animals, but especially the lion (I'm a Leo, what can I say...) x
Hi Sian - popping back on to say I found the photo and blogged about it. I hope you don't mind but I linked to your post. Thanks
Lovely post today - somebody should make your blogger of the week (oh, wait a minute, they did!).
I wasn't even there for my best zoo story. Paul and the kids were in the Detroit zoo (Clara was only a few months old), and a polar bear escaped! Those are actually the most dangerous animal in the zoo, so there was a general announcement and they herded all guests inside whatever structure they could find. Paul & the kids spent hours in a small snack bar!
I, myself, love zoos. But that's another story.
Rinda
You are such a clever storyteller ... what a great post!
LOL - why is your brother sucking a lemon?
Great story - and I too have a photo with a monkey like that - I was scared it would wee on me!
Is TSO also creating cute felt animals?
Ooh, Lynn, yhank you I'll be over for a read in a minute.
Rinda, that is a GREAT story!
Jemma, it's actually my cousin's stepson (I think) which explains the look - I'm sure he had lots of things he would rather have been doing than hanging out with two little girls he didn't know. And the felt animals? Yes, at your suggestion we are tackling the felt circus together. She's on elephants this week. Further details at some point in the future
LOL! that's a great ending photo... and I love the quick summary of the angry penguin. I don't go to zoos simply because I feel overwhelmingly sad when I'm there. And caged. And that makes me more sad. And yet, I've also never been to a museum. Hmmm... I need to get out more often. :)
LOL Loved this post and I think that maybe you should stay with creating little toy animals. The lion is so cute! Loved that photo!! So wonderful. Gotta love the old B&W's. I am totally crazy about anything fuzzy, but dogs in particular. Took me awhile to overcome my fear after being bitten by a dog at 4 and then malled by another at 5 years old. At 33 I finally decided to give them another chance. Who knows, maybe you will become a zoo enthusiast yet! ;)
And you only look slightly concerned!!!
i love this story, it's so much fun. i love going and seeing animals and havent been to the zoo, but farms alot. when u come here we'll go to longleat which is a posh house and a safari park...........with monkeys!!!
Jo xxx
Cute photo- the monkey looks rather comfortable! I love zoos, but a real Afrian safari was the best thing I've ever done - and don't think I've blogged any of those photos.
Congrats on winning Mel's Blog of the Week - well deserved
This made me laugh Sian, esp the gorilla. Funnily enough I am going to Woburn on Monday. I will say hi to the monkeys for you.
Lovely story and the photo at the end is great. We used to go to Whipsnade quite often when I was little as that was very local to us. When Ben was born his first trip was to Whipsnade - he was 10 days old and slept through it!
I like your felt lion too - can't wait to see the rest of the menagerie :)
HA! Cute picture and even cuter felt lion! :)
Great story Sian.....DD loves zoos, but I don't really share that love!
This reminded me of a zoo story so I went and wrote it on my blog
http://ladkyis.blogspot.com/
just so you can read it.
A great story well told and what a wonderful photo to have:)
Fiona x
Oh, Sian, we have so much in common yet you DON'T LIKE ZOOS?????!!!!!! Love your felt lion - so cute!
Sian, I really enjoy your writing, drawing us into the story! Great photo with the monkey.
that photo is priceless! Monkeys are not part of my gig... they freak me out... lions on the other hand... now they are just large cats... more my style! (love the felt and that's a great story!)
Love your style and your conversationalist writing. Great story too!!
Stopping by from Shimelle's class.
He doesn't look too sure that he wants to be held to me. lol and the look on your face is a bit strained
That photo is just gorgeous, I love it so much. Have you scrapped it yet or is that coming soon. I think Crate Paper Emma's Shoppe would be fantastic for it.
Have a lovely weekend.
xx
Oh Sian, my back hurts today and you just made me laugh! Ouch! It was your Mum what did it - oh how that reminds me of my Mum! I bet she wasn't kidding either. oh dear!
you have an amazing way with words! thanks for the giggle.
I love this story Sian and the photo is wonderful. I remember that type of pushchair, and the boys shoes & socks. !!
Yes, I think the felt lion is more my speed. Whenever I see people holding wild animals, all I can think is, "Those things are not potty trained!"
i'm not crazy about zoos, either, but love your stories and all the ones in the comments that you inspired. as a teacher, i've taken many field trips to various zoos and none have happened without at least one headache of an incident.
Super cute story. Super cute felt lion! And super cute photo with the monkeys.
You just never cease to amaze me, Sian! xo
Another wonderful Sian Story! I love the felt lion, Sian and the photo with the monkey is great - we have a photo of me and my sister posing with a monkey outside Bristol Zoo (they don't allow it any more...).
My sister got chewed by a sea lion (only her coat sleeve) because she tried to stroke him...
I was mugged by a squirrel once, outside the Wasington DC Natural History Museum... I crouched down and offered it a little bit of biscuit, but the squirrel just got on my knee, dived in the box and helped himself to the largest cookie he could find! There were Japanese tourists taking my photo (no kidding!). It was fun... and DS slept through the whole thing!
Your penguin story is remarkably like my squirrel story.... Except that I think squirrels have sharper teeth?! And judging by Lizzie's tale above, squirrels are nasty vicious little critters who have it in for all and sundry, not just for me!
I LOVE that last photo...rosy days of pre 'Health& Safety' obsessions!! Great post as usual!
It must have been 'on trend' to have your photo taken with a random monkey when we were growing up, we have a very similar picture of me, except the monkey has a rather startled expression on it's face - think I may have been holding him a little too tightly! Love the stories of your animal experiences, no wonder you're not keen on zoos. Reminds me of the time a goat ate my mum's handbag at a farmyard once!
what a clever post - youhave a real knack for story telling
Adorable photo. Great story.
Some monkeys attacked me on a beach in Thailand, I had to run into the sea to get them off me! that was scary. I no longer like monkeys! I do quite like penguins, but then they've never done me any harm...
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