Tiger Tiger Burning Bright

Today I visited Marwell Zoo for the first time in ages. It always makes for a great day out, but seems to have undergone several improvements since I was last there.

My earliest childhood memory of zoos was the now infamous (and thankfully long gone) Southampton Zoo. This was the sort of zoo that gave zoos a bad name, with animals locked in tiny (and even to a small child they seemed tiny) cages. I hate political correctness, but when it comes to animal welfare the pc lobby does have a few good points. This place could have set a world record for the number of rules broken, not least for the chimpanzee, kept in captivity in cramped inadequate conditions who entertained the public by smoking lighted cigarettes they passed to him.

Marwell Zoo is only a few miles outside of Southampton but is light years away from the old zoo when it comes to conditions. Animals are well looked after in large open paddocks ( caged only when safety dictates) with plenty of room to lead as normal existence as possible. It is also world renowned for it's efforts in animal conservation, and has many endangered species not only on display but also in breeding programmes to help re-establish disappearing species into the wild.

The star of the show has to be the tigers. To see such awesome creatures close-up is almost humbling. Seeing them on tv just doesn't do them justice, these beautiful creatures simply ooze power and elegance. Sadly - and to the shame of the human race - the day may come when the only tigers left are those in captivity. Thanks to Marwell and other organisations like them they should hopefully never disappear completely.

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year

Glitter Christmas Graphics

Publish Post

Frosty Morning

Frosty Morning, originally uploaded by Wurzel.

This morning was one of Mother Nature's specials. Heavy frost and bright sunshine.
I am lucky enough to be able to take photos of scenes like this less than 30 seconds walk from my back door.

Faggot Man Uses Brain

After yesterdays out cry over the censoring of Fairytale of New York by Radio 1 their contoller - despite assurances yesterday that the decision was irreversible - has decided that the original will continue to be played after all.

A quote from their own newspage " Radio 1's controller Andy Parfitt says listeners are smart enough to distinguish between maliciousness and creative freedom." A sensible decision , and maybe a mantra that should be written in huge big letters on the office walls of every well-meaning crackpot organisation that tries to impose political correctness of any kind upon us in the future

Fairytale Madness

Constantly topping "Favourite Xmas Song" polls, Fairytale Of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl has become a Christmas classic since it's release in 1987.

This year, some idiot at Radio 1 has decided to censor it! Apparently, in his (or her) view the word "faggot" could cause offence and is being blanked out every time the song is played on that station.. The word "slut" elsewhere in the song has received the same treatment.

The censorship is not BBC-wide. Radio 2 is, and will continue to be, playing the original version. Presumably it's audience is deemed old enough to make up it's own mind how, and in what context, a word should be interpreted.

At the time of writing a BBC poll, with over 15000 votes was over 95% against the censorship. On Radio 1's own news web-page you will struggle to find any readers comment in favour. It's an overused cliché, but this certainly is political correctness gone mad. Anyone offended by either the words faggot or slut, used in the context of a husband and wife having a drunken argument, really should get a life. Their number must be so small that they are probably exceeded by those like me who find Unchained Melody offensive for no other reason than it is simply awful, perhaps we can have that one banned next,

The (original) lyrics in full HERE

Hubble Bubble Xmas Trouble - Latest Score

The current standings in the battle between the kittens and the xmas tree are as follows

Scores for the kittens.
All bottom branches bent down to the ground
Lower lights resting on carpet.
Hanging toy drum missing.
Fairy on the top now at strange angle
2ft high wicker snowman now laying face down.

Tree has only managed one revenge score so far.
Small pile of cat sick containing tinsel.

And still it's 10 days to Xmas !


Caught In The Act

Hubble Bubble Xmas Trouble

Last night I got the Xmas tree down from the loft so the kids can decorate it this evening.
I've just had a phone call - Mrs W has got home from work and - well let's just say it sounds like 4 month old twin kittens and Xmas trees aren't compatible.

Damage assesment awaits when I get home.

Sorry ......

..... I've not posted for a while but I've been indisposed.

I recently purchased a stuffed toy in the local charity shop for 20p - bargain !

Then I sold it at a car boot sale the other weekend for a quid. Result !! :-)

Ever since then I've been in hiding, certain fundamentalists of an unspecified religion are after me for making a profit out of a teddy bear.



(No more like this - I promise)