Furtle's Big Day Out

Penguin Pool Look Ma, no penguins!

Yesterday was a very busy one for the denizens of the Athenaeum Club, around midday we decamped to the Tube and down to Camden where we sloped off to the Edinboro Castle to meet friends for lunch and drinks before trailing off to London Zoo at Regent's Park. I made the rather silly choice of wearing my leather U Boat Commander's jacket despite Furtle's warnings against the heat. My reasoning was simple: there had been no sign of summer so far this year, so whilst I might be a tad warm on the tube, out in the open air, it would be fine.

She was right and I was wrong. At the risk of TMI, there were tide marks on my clothes by the time I got home a little over 12 hours later...

The turnout was spectacular - I am not going to list everyone here, because if I forget someone it will look like a slight and it's not intended to be. I understand there were, at various points, some 21 of us and when later, we decamped again to Pendrel's Oak in Holborn, we were joined by a further 14 who had been to the NWO Meet organized by birthday boy, pax_draconis.

Because of the heat I am afraid that with the exception of a very nice cold Kriek at the Edinboro Castle I stayed off the beer and during the evening rediscovered the delights of pitchers of Pimm's - finishing off with a pitcher of Pimm Pomm - pomegranate Pimm's. Lovely.

Anyway, I took a whole wad of pictures and you should be able to access the gallery by clicking on the wonderful photo (!) of the penguin pool designed by Lutyens but no longer used because, frankly, the Penguins hated it. It is the way of these things that useless as it is, it is a Grade II listed building, which means that it cannot be demolished - the zoo is not even allowed to take the words "Penguin Pool" off it, much to the bafflement of tourists. They are entirely unsorted, so you will have to take the rough with the smooth, I'm afraid.

In the meantime, see the poor sad lonely penguin wander off...

I hope everyone who came enjoyed it as much as we did. Next year, anybody...?

Furtle's Big Day Out

Penguin Pool Look Ma, no penguins!

Yesterday was a very busy one for the denizens of the Athenaeum Club, around midday we decamped to the Tube and down to Camden where we sloped off to the Edinboro Castle to meet friends for lunch and drinks before trailing off to London Zoo at Regent's Park. I made the rather silly choice of wearing my leather U Boat Commander's jacket despite Furtle's warnings against the heat. My reasoning was simple: there had been no sign of summer so far this year, so whilst I might be a tad warm on the tube, out in the open air, it would be fine.

She was right and I was wrong. At the risk of TMI, there were tide marks on my clothes by the time I got home a little over 12 hours later...

The turnout was spectacular - I am not going to list everyone here, because if I forget someone it will look like a slight and it's not intended to be. I understand there were, at various points, some 21 of us and when later, we decamped again to Pendrel's Oak in Holborn, we were joined by a further 14 who had been to the NWO Meet organized by birthday boy, pax_draconis.

Because of the heat I am afraid that with the exception of a very nice cold Kriek at the Edinboro Castle I stayed off the beer and during the evening rediscovered the delights of pitchers of Pimm's - finishing off with a pitcher of Pimm Pomm - pomegranate Pimm's. Lovely.

Anyway, I took a whole wad of pictures and you should be able to access the gallery by clicking on the wonderful photo (!) of the penguin pool designed by Lutyens but no longer used because, frankly, the Penguins hated it. It is the way of these things that useless as it is, it is a Grade II listed building, which means that it cannot be demolished - the zoo is not even allowed to take the words "Penguin Pool" off it, much to the bafflement of tourists. They are entirely unsorted, so you will have to take the rough with the smooth, I'm afraid.

In the meantime, see the poor sad lonely penguin wander off...

I hope everyone who came enjoyed it as much as we did. Next year, anybody...?

Kidnapped!

It was not until I started receiving the photos via MMS on my mobile that I realised what had happened and how I had failed the little guy!

Ah, such friends I have. It is not from the phone of pax_draconis, but he is the clear ring leader; he or averylaterabbit or actually it could be probablyscotty is to blame. Or indeed they as a gestalt, are to blame. I do not know the phone number but it belongs somewhere in that triumvirate...

Observe if you will:

Opus, clearly terrified, pinned to a brass bollard by Mighty Cthulu. Their location marked by the Angel of the North. Don't blink...


Clearly later, our big-nosed hero, despairing of escape, indulges in mead from the Lindisfarne winery. Oh what would the Venereal Venerable Bede do?

I shall keep you appraised of the news as our herring-breathed friend scuttles around the north of England and Scotland in a no doubt futile attempt to escape.

Kidnapped!

It was not until I started receiving the photos via MMS on my mobile that I realised what had happened and how I had failed the little guy!

Ah, such friends I have. It is not from the phone of pax_draconis, but he is the clear ring leader; he or averylaterabbit or actually it could be probablyscotty is to blame. Or indeed they as a gestalt, are to blame. I do not know the phone number but it belongs somewhere in that triumvirate...

Observe if you will:

Opus, clearly terrified, pinned to a brass bollard by Mighty Cthulu. Their location marked by the Angel of the North. Don't blink...


Clearly later, our big-nosed hero, despairing of escape, indulges in mead from the Lindisfarne winery. Oh what would the Venereal Venerable Bede do?

I shall keep you appraised of the news as our herring-breathed friend scuttles around the north of England and Scotland in a no doubt futile attempt to escape.

WUXTRY! WUXTRY! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

BREAKING NEWS:



Evidence is emerging that an unrepentant Furtle was complicit in the kidnap of Opus T Penguin (age 7^1/2).


Mr Opus T. Penguin seen recently



The Villain of the piece


As of yet no demands have been made.

WUXTRY! WUXTRY! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

BREAKING NEWS:



Evidence is emerging that an unrepentant Furtle was complicit in the kidnap of Opus T Penguin (age 7^1/2).


Mr Opus T. Penguin seen recently



The Villain of the piece


As of yet no demands have been made.