Founders' Day

My school - the one where I went and where I now teach - was 300 years old last year. Every year we celebrate Founders' Day on the first Thursday in March.

The day begins with a service at a church. Then the students go home (except those with impending exams) and the staff return to school.

In the evening the school is open so that former students can visit.

This year, the new headteacher, who was obviously delighted at being associated with a school that has such a history, discovered she had five Head Boys and three Head Girls at the evening do, so she quickly photographed and tweeted  us.

I'm happy to report that the fat old bag has the excuse of being several decades older than the slimline younger versions...

Hotel Paradise

Lucky bitch.

Household Saints

Delicious though he may be at the beginning of this, anything religious just makes me irritated and annoyed.

Finally Fine

At last there was a good enough day on Thursday for me to go to the zoo for the first time in ages.

Melati and JaeJae are finally able to be reunited because the cubs are two-years-old and have gone to their new homes. Apart from one swipe that I didn't catch (Melati on JaeJae) they didn't seem all that interested.

 Melati

JaeJae

Some of the hunting dog puppies seemed to be interested in the people watching them from the canal towpath.

Honest Citizen

Such a young baby when he made this!

Good Luck - After

Once affected by blindness, gorgeousness is enhanced by stunning acting. He really does look as if his eyes won't focus.

Good Luck - Before

One of my favourite VDO movies.

Flood Damage

There has been plenty of news within the UK about flooding over Christmas nd the New Year, although I imagine elsewhere people are too busy dealing with their own freak weather to notice.

I didn't know anyone who was directly involved. Or so I thought.

Then I was contacted by the Orthotics department at the hospital, who send off my left shoes for a raise.

The company that does the adaptation was flooded, resulting in the loss of all the shoes awaiting their services. They will compensate (though they are not making it easy) but I will never get back the fellow of this gorgeous boot.

On Friday I went on a shoe hunt. All I could buy in this style was boring beige. Of the other shoe there was no sign. I had to buy a shoe that cost twice as much.

I am severely pissed off. I only get two pairs a year adapted, and it is harder every year to find even two suitable pairs.

But really, I just want my shoe back.

Guy

My best pictures of this are not on Photobucket because they are too racy. This one is not bad though...

Baby Hunting Dogs

But no more baby tigers.

All the tiger cubs - now coming up to 2 years old - are still with mum, so she cannot get back with dad to make some more. Apparently the animal parks that were supposed to take them have delayed time and again. So meanwhile mum and daughter come out on alternate days with the two boys. And dad paces in the hope he can persuade his beloved to join him and make him happy.

Here is mum giving daughter a quick lick.






But the African hunting dogs have really done the business. Eleven pups! I arrived at their enclosre at feeding time of sadly very recognisable bunnies. (I've spared everyone that vision.) Some of the puppies were still inside, obviously not feeling very hungry yet.

Meanwhile, at Wingham animal park, my new discovery last year with one black and one spotty jaguar, the babies I'm pretty sure I saw being conceived in August  have arrived. There's a black girl like mum and a spotty boy like dad. The photos are not mine.

Fires Within

He was such a pretty boy back then.

Efficiency Plus

Last week, just in time not to be able to do anything about it because of the holidays, I received official notification that I can start collecting my old age pension.

I already knew that my date was March 16th. In fact, they don't mention that in the letter, so it's just as well I knew it.

The letter said I need to apply four months before the date that I plan to receive my first pension payment. So that means they would have had to notify me by November 16th. December 23rd is a little bit late.

Just as well I don't want to claim till July at the earliest...

New baby, "old" baby and two tamanduas

Since breaking my foot in the summer, I haven't really been to the zoo, but a couple of weeks ago I managed a couple of hours.

I discovered that Effie, who has been longing for a baby for years, actually had a month-old baby His tiny head is just visible in her arms

Mjukuu's baby, a little girl who is now a year old, looked a bit thoughtful about no longer being the centre of attention.

The female tamandua (or tree anteater) was sleeping in ...a tree.

The male tamandua was on the wander.

Feeling Minnesota

Sorry, folks, I seem to be slowing down with my posts. I blame my iPad, which won't let me do posts in any way I've yet discovered, and my internet connection, which I must get round to phoning up and complaining about.

Vincent may not have looked at his best in this film, but it was entertaining, and he showed how good he can be at comedy.

Five minutes Mr Welles

An interesting view from an interesting movie

Ed Wood

I'm still cross that they dubbed over Vincent's voice. And his part was only small. BUt this was a really great film.

Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys

Even this big boy couldn't turn me into a believer.

Dying Young

One more silly woman who chose the wrong man.

Crooked Hearts

I wanted to post Crackers, but I can't find my photos! Still, I think this is a happy substitute...

Almost a snuggle

Twiglet and Mackie have now been together for a whole eight months, but yesterday was the first time Twiglet voluntarily plonked herself next to him without swearing, and he stayed put unafraid.