Captain's Blog (12) "Safari so Good"

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At the weekend, we had a marvellous time at a safari park, chosen by my daughter for her birthday day out treat. I had been really looking forward to this, too, as hadn’t been there since I was her age. I expected there to be many great changes, and was amazed how well this trip fitted in with our garden themes, past and present.

Upon arrival in the main car park, we were astounded to be right next to a children’s play area with a pirate theme – right up our galley (sorry, alley).

The centrepiece was this wonderful pirate ship with escape chutes and, yes, i clambered all over it, too, lol, looking for ideas and inspiration (noted that the upper age limit was 14 years, but thought that this did not apply to me mental age, aharr!).

Ahoy there, me ‘earty! You ’as given us an idea for making a themed scarecrow for the garden, seein’ as ye be right up there in ye crow’s nest an’ not a crow to be seen, aharr!!! (something to work on during the coming long dark winter nights, methinks? So long as he don’t scare off ye dear lil’ ol’ Jack sparrows, though).

Aharr!! I alus pays attention to notices (jist in case me mugshot be on one o’ ‘em). Treasure to be found, eh? Young Jim an’ me dug in ye sand for ages, but, alas, ne’er struck gold :-(( Yet, this ‘as given me an idea for future treasure trails at Easter, or even Christmas, weather permitting – might get me plot dug over nicely, too, in the process – har har!) Anyways, the face-painting shack was shut down an’ derelict, so this was priobably a red herring!

Me crew soon got to grips with the helm and the ropes! Glad to see they were prepared for rough weather, as the forecast was totally wrong. We were feeling rather more like “Scott of the Antarctic” than “Pirates of the Caribbean”.

This was great, as gave us so many ideas for our garden, whilst waiting for the drive-through reserves to open. At last, they opened, and we drove towards the first gate. Reading all the warning/precaution notices, we also noted some of the wonderful animals we were about to see. Eilidh (now being a smart 8 year-old) was first to pick out… “Lions, tigers…and bears – Oh, My!”

Amidst a great chorus of laughs and chants, we set off on a drive round the “African Plains”, chanting this line from the script of the Wizard of Oz movie. Of course, this was our first garden theme a few years ago. Was amazed at how my kids remember this, but am having concerns about their mental welfare state, as a result – LOL!!!

Saw some nice parrots for me shoulder, an’ thought that I could well plunder some matching clothing for ye perfect fashion statement! Alas – no pics :-(

Never smile at a crocodile? Well, this little fellow brought broad grins from us, and, in a sticky situation with the kids, who had spotted a nearby fairground with expensive rides, got me “off the hook” so to speak!

Ah, well, another great voyage for us, many memories to be treasured, and more ideas for the garden, to boot!!

This trip certainly got the seal of approval!

(Of course I know that they are sea lions, not seals, lol!!)

Anyways, we had a fab visit, and so many ideas to take home for our “Pirates” garden, which is why I posted this here. Went home totally Captain Flint (skint), but with plenty o’ pics, an’ ideas. :-))))

Well, that was a great ol’ “jolly”, but it’s “roger and out”!

Time to go home to our own garden treasure. :-))

• 11 Oct, 2010
• 8 likes

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