I nearly forgot!...I said I'd post a few pics of my baby's adventure in Madagascar....so here's a few...
Taken on the plane showing their location en route.........
Transport to Base Camp 1
On The Way to Base Camp 2
Watch out for Crocs!!!
Jax specialised in the ornithological side of the operation...
But a snake or two never hurt anyone eh?
Kermit in Madagascar
Jax never did find me a singing, dancing Lemur...
Wonder what Ascot would make of this hatwear?
Felt a whole lot better that Max was there to lok after her...
Apparently, the report they have written concerning the balancing of farming against the needs of the natural enviroment is being passed to both the Madagascan Govt and The United Nations. The operation was co-ordinated by some Professor from Oxford University whose name will be on top of the report...just above Jacqui and Max......am I a proud dad?......Course not...;-)
Thanks for bringing her home safe Max.....
There's literally hundreds of incredible pics on Jax's Facebook page....but if you aren't her friend you can't see 'em...so there...;-)
Saturday...which I agree is, technically, the previous week, was a blast. Jacqui came home from 6 weeks in Madagascar. A field trip related to her Geography degree.
Several days within the 6 weeks completely cut off from civilisation studying the wlidlife - which sadly, didn't include singing dancing Lemurs despite what the movie suggested. Damn. I wanted one.
She has some incredible pics which will, no doubt, filter down to me at some point and I will proudly display.
For now....the most important pic in my eyes....Jax hugging a weeping Caz as she appeared through 'Arrivals' at Heathrow Airport...Jax expression says it all!..."Oh for Gods sake mother!!!"....;-)
I readily admit....that was the hardest 6 weeks of my life...but also the proudest in a way....Jax worked with an Oxford Professor and her work will appear before The United Nations at some point regarding the natural environment of Madagascar against the needs of farming and such like.
Apparently...her work may even be published at some point...I'll let you know if and when....
My baby's back safe and well. Nuff said.
In the meantime a bus damaged my car during a driving lesson. The bus duly carried on with the driver seemingly oblivious.
"Follow that bus" I cried to my driving student - who was still slightly alarmed at a bus 'brushing' against the car - buses being inordinantly big.
The damage is minor....a bit of paint work...but, as the car is leased I'm buggered if I'm paying for the damage.
We caught up with the bus and I 'took control'. Using my dual controls, I reversed the car in front of the bus to prevent it moving away from its next bus stop.
"You clipped my car" I said to the (clearly Asian) driver.
In fairness he was cool about it and even said later "I doubt a driving instructor would do what you did if it wasn't true"
Being in a very large vehicle he didn't feel the 'brush' and I believe him.
As we exchanged details several passengers got off the bus, clearly annoyed at their journey being interrupted.
Oddly?....All the white passengers remained on board. All those who alighted were clearly Asian/black and without a doubt, muslim.- as was, equally clearly after learning his surname, the driver.
The muslim passengers became very aggressive very quickly.
"You are holding us up!"....."Leave our dirver alone!"....."You are a thief!!"
I have no idea what the last statement meant.
The driver, to his credit, attempted to usher them back on the bus.
Dinners, as you may not be surprised to learn, said "Piss off and mind you're own business...I'm sorting it out with the driver"....ever the diplomat eh?...;-)
One muslim passenger leaned into my face. "You are lying!!!"
My head went back as the 'red mist' descended.
It was similar to a 'Pimms O'Clock moment' really - as per TV adverts in Blighty....
"Picnic blankets? Mums and dads? It's Pimms O' Clock!"
"Wedding party? Embarrassing dancing? It must be Pimms O' Clock!"
"MY FOREHEAD? YOUR NOSE?......etc etc...
The driver - very much to his credit - suddenly appeared between us with his back to me and ushered the dickhead away.
As headbutting the driver in his back would have been grossly unfair I allowed the 'red mist' to dissipate.
So.
1) My car is damaged - albeit only slightly -
2) I was prevented from nutting a mouthy muzzie - probably for the best -
3) Caz burst into tears when Jax emerged from Customs at Heathrow - no surprise there then -
4) I didn't burst into tears when Jax emergef from Customs at Heathrow - I'm a man I am (I so so nearly did)...;-)
5) I am finally drinking a bottle of voddy as tomorrow is a day off for Caz's birthday and I've got the day off.
We're all off to Winchester for the day...I have no idea why...some'at to do with seeing the Cathedral I think but I'm halfway down my litre of voddy and can't remember....
Still.
A day with Caz 'n Jax. Just us. (Max would be welcome too incidentally...the only boyfriend I've never growled at and he did take care of her in Madagascar after all).
Life is good.
Stay out of my way First Bus.....I'm looking to stitch you up....and trust me...I will.
Later's and let's all be well careful out there eh?
