Mum's Big Day Out 2015

I could tell that given a quiet moment, the exploits of Mum's Big Day would be recounted in full technicolour. I had managed to avoid being cornered by grubbing as earnestly as a Grub Controller possibly could. I even came up with the excuse that I was drilling for oil.
"Gordon, you really can't dig for oil with a, shall we say, slightly on the short-sided implement."
It may have been reference to my beak and I felt a little affronted. There has been much excitement in the Press lately about huge oil reserves nearby, and let's be honest, it was definitely worth a try. Drongo has been sporting a quite realistic-looking Stetson that he made out of a primrose leaf.
"Now are you roosting comfortably? Pauly Dear, do stop pecking Harry's bottom like that! It is very off-putting!"

Harry annoys Pauly and Harvest at this time of the year

So Pauly sneaks under his tail as he rotates

And pecks his fluffy derriere

You can just make out her shape through his tail feathers

Here he comes again!

Still a lot of feathers to go!

Eventually we all had to sit down and listen to Mum's tale. There was no escape. We had tried.
"Well I met up with my old Buddies, Auntie Bella, Mandy and Pauline in London. It started off a bit rainy - and windy too. But by the time we got to Trafalgar Square the sun came out and it was beautiful weather for the rest of the day.

Trafalgar Square

And Yoda

We had decided to visit the National Portrait Gallery and on the way there we passed Yoda - with no feet! I tried to get Auntie Bella to have her photo with him, but she declined! The Gallery was really interesting - it houses portraits of historically important and famous British people, selected on the basis of the significance of the sitter, not that of the artist. 195,000 exhibits altogether! There was a lovely picture of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II), and her sister Princess Margaret called Conversation piece at The Royal Lodge, Windsor painted by Sir (Herbert) James Gunn in 1950. The informality of the presentation, for which Queen Elizabeth was responsible, was entirely new: set at Royal Lodge, where the family's life was informal, and at tea-time, an accessible and very British occasion. Gunn, who had been chosen by the King and Queen for the commission, recalled the difficulty of placing the corgi, moving it about on the canvas in a paper cut-out. It ended up behind the King's chair. And there was Anna Neagle and Emmeline Pankhurst and D.H. Lawrence and Flying Officer Kite."
Flying Officer Kite?
"Then we hailed a taxi! And it took us to a small and very elite Hotel in Belgravia - just a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace.

The Four of us (in the National Portrait Gallery?)

Mandy and Auntie Bella and the cakes

It is a special year you see Gordon. We have reached milestone birthdays! So as a treat we had an Afternoon Tea. Well it started with a glass of bubbly and then the cakestand arrived. Finely cut, dainty sandwiches adorned the bottom plate. The middle held an assortment of delicate cakes - chocolate brownies, carroty ones, creamy ones, sugary ones and ones with choux pastry. The top had scones on it with a pot of jam and a pot of cream."
Heeey! Now you're talking. My ear muffs raised to peak awareness levels at the mention of those morsels. My taste buds were as bursting as the cherry blossom and I decided that I would contact the Wattlebury Employment Agency to see if they need a Crumb Controller at this fine place. Mind you I'd stick to the yummy remains - don't fancy bits of leather soles.
"Gordon! Are you concentrating? Do sit still. I've nearly finished.
And we had a choice of Tea - each with our own pot and I still don't exactly know which flavour I had, but it was delicious. We took some photos. Look there we are reflected in that mirror. We are all looking different ways and holding cameras in different positions. It was very confusing. But then we tried to take a Selfie when we got outside and couldn't work that out either. Don't tell anyone that Gordon, will you."
As if ---
"And you will never believe it, but Ian Fleming lived next door at one time. "
Haa! I have read his books - 'The Man with the Golden Sebright' and 'Goldclaw'. Two of my favourites. Action packed. Yes!
"And Mozart lived down the road."
Aaah! Drongo Vanni and all that.
"Then we had to sadly say our farewells again - but there is always next year to look forward to!"
I really can't wait. Gordon xxx