Firstly, Molly & Mango and Dad’s usual luck! Well when Dad took them on he was told Molly was a female and Mango was a male so what do you think happened when he got them DNA sexed? Yes – that’s right!!! Molly is definitely a Male and Mango is definitely a Female. Well for Mango that isn’t a problem – her name suits either sex but it is a bit of a problem for Molly. You see Molly can say her name so rather than unceremoniously change it, Dad has decided to leave it as Molly – I mean, what’s in a name? Over time the parrents will get used to calling Molly a boy but I have heard them saying “Good Girl” to him!!! On the subject of Molly & Mango they are now housed in their new cage in the “Small Bird” room (aka Stacey’s Bedroom). They have left their quarantine room and seem happy where they are. Stacey has them out of their cage with Oscar & Magic, most evenings. The other morning, Molly escaped while Dad was feeding them and after he chased him around the room for a bit, trying to catch him, Molly obligingly flew straight back into the cage which Dad says is made more remarkable because it is a new cage!
Well now to the outings.
On Wednesday 21st Dad, Mum, Sydney & I went to Bath to be by the canal. Syd & I had a good feast on Blackberries, Hawthorn Berries, Elderberries and Mum even found some Hazelnuts the squirrels had left! Phoebe and Max can crack the Hazelnuts themselves but the rest of us Fids need them started for us so dad has the nutcrackers handy. He gives us each one a day along with our half a walnut. We had a good time by the canal and met loads of kids (it was school coming out time!). The kids just love seeing us and I like sitting on their hands. We went back to the exact seat where Dad sat last year when a Pear fell on his head but this year there were no pears. Still we have quite a few from our own trees, at home so we won’t go hungry!
On Thursday 22nd we went to Lacock and to see the Wilts & Berks Canal. Mum found loads of Hazelnuts here and we feasted again on the usual canal side goodies! We were going to end up at The Red Lion for Dad but we didn’t have time before the bus came to take us home :-(
Friday 23rd was exciting because we left for a week-end in Plymouth. Dad had planned it a while ago and he & Mum were really looking forward to it. He said we might go on a boat so I was a bit apprehensive but in the end we had 4 boat trips and I was fine! I have really got used to being on the water!
Saturday morning we went to the Barbican and the Hoe where Mum & Dad felt a bit under-dressed because it was Graduation Day on the Hoe and everyone was in their Sunday best! Still we started by spending an hour at the Boathouse Cafe where Syd & I enjoyed half a Custard Cream each (you can see a picture of us at the end). Then, while on the Hoe we had our flask of coffee and more biscuits. Dad said he couldn’t believe how much we were eating considering we’d demolished half an apple before we came out! Doesn’t he know the sea air gives us an appetite! Later Syd & I got on board HMS Cornwall (not the real one you understand – just a concrete model!) The real one is currently being used as a training vessel. Later this year, after Operational Sea Training, HMS Cornwall will be deploying East of Suez to conduct counter piracy operations. For old time’s sake they bought an Ivor Dewdney’s Cornish Pasty and went to Devil’s Point for lunch. Dad told us how his Dad used to buy pasties and take the family there when he was a small boy (I’m surprised he can remember THAT long ago – I mean it’s 45 years!!!). In the afternoon we took the first of our boat trips across the River Tamar to Mount Edgecumbe in Cornwall. Rather surprisingly I was fine on this medium sized boat. We had a great time by the lake and in the formal gardens and the weather was really nice for us. However at 5 o’clock when we were queuing for the ferry back it started to rain but we soon got on the boat and sat inside so we didn’t get wet. At the other end it had stopped again (it never rains in Devon!).
On Sunday it started off Dull and Damp but by the time we left the Hotel at about 10 o’clock it was brightening up and by lunchtime the sky had turned blue and the sun was shining again! We first went to Saltram house and garden where we started with a coffee (not Syd & me you understand ‘cos we’re not allowed coffee) and Biscuits. This time we had another of our favourites – Ginger Nuts! Yummee!!! We found a few Hawthorn Berries and Elder berries but Mum was really looking for Chestnuts but they were all dehydrated and flat! We found a picnic table in the grounds so had our lunch there and then went down to the Barbican again. This time, unknown to me, they were planning on taking the ferry to Mount Batten. This was a tiny boat but everyone was so pleased that I was fine – I really have conquered my fear of water! At about 5 o’clock we had to say our fond farewells to Plymouth after a brilliant week-end and make our way to Ilchester to collect Molly & Mangos’ new cage. We did this and got home about 10 o’clock – very tired and ready for bed (although Syd had been asleep in the car on Dad’s shoulder!).