We ventured, not without some temerity, into the glass-fronted world of the super executives today, visiting the local Planning Office in its splendid new building at the Baglan Energy Park.
On the way, true to form, we got lost and ended up in a rather depressing housing area called Sand-something-or-other. Graham was distraught; the weather was grim, bleak and damp, and he felt out of place and out of time.
“Can we just forget the whole thing and go home?” he asked.
“We could, but we’re not going to. Phone the guy, tell him where we are and that we’re lost. He’ll know the way. He’s a planning officer.”
Sure enough, we pulled into the entrance to the car park a few minutes later, gave the magic password to the intercom on the barrier which dutifully lifted to admit us, and I slipped the little silver Ford into a vacant disabled parking slot right near the front door, and in we went.
Our business was soon concluded and off we went, back to more familiar ground, and to B&Q for an electrical switch and Morrison’s for orange juice, two danish pastries and a supply of Loyd Grossman’s best spaghetti.
“Can we go home now?” Graham ventured.
“I’m sure there’s something else we needed.”
“Oh, go on. I’ll make you the best espresso you’ve ever had if we can go home now. Go well with espresso, would these pastries.”
He had his way, of course.
Is that coffee I can smell?
Espresso and pastries–lovely thought.
Your resident peacock family is interesting. Do they just stroll about the neighborhood? I’m waiting for a photo of a tail-spread extravaganza from the male, that’s what. Maybe he’ll shed a stray pretty feather in your yard, like a toll fee or something.
Whoopsie! I didn’t notice I had to fill in the blanks again for the above post. Sorry.
Making me laugh out loud, John, with today’s and yesterday’s photos and cutlines. Thank you! – Kate
Now I’ve got to ask my daughter if she still has her ‘tenant’, a peacock who used to visit her premises regularly. So regularly, in fact, that I have a gorgeous ‘arrangement’ in a beautiful silver water pitcher of just his shed tail feathers. Spectacular, it is, truly! And, yes, I have heard that peacock feathers are often blamed for bad luck, but I’ve had ‘em for years, and so far, nothing! Knock wood!
Some areas around this city peacocks appear. Not in my area. I wish they would. Fill us in on them in yours OK?
I don’t really know too much about this from direct research. Across the main road and up and over the hill behind the house there was a place called ‘Penscynor’, which was a large estate complete with wild gardens and forest area. And a large ‘bird garden’, comprised of enclosed aviaries and free roaming flocks of wild birds, including peacocks. When the estate was sold and split off, the bird gardens had to go and all the inhabitants rehoused elsewhere. Seems the peacocks decided otherwise and went wild, roaming the woods to this day. Come spring time (that’s when the cock bird sprouts his tail feathers for display) they start wandering down the hill and into our estate where they are welcomed with open arms and lots of grub. The pair I have shown you here are the advance guard. I’m informed that we’ll be over-run by peacocks in about a month. Can’t wait!
Mary Lee — I think the ‘bad luck’ comes from the old horse-drawn hearses, where the horses were bedecked with peacock feather head ornaments. In London, the superstition regarding peacock feathers in the house is very strong and I’d never, ever allow one in the house. Didn’t know it’d reached out to you!
I thought you had a GPS that talked you from point A to point B……have you give up on it ?
Love your peacock pictures, they look so regal !
Didn’t know about the superstition though.
Yes, I too remember your raving about a certain GPS which had become a best friend…
‘Overrun by peacocks’, that would explain the rather nonchalant stance from the neighbor’s cat: he’s seen all kinds of them, just old visitors they’d be to him. But new to us! One male is bound to want to impress the females, I’ll bet you and your camera will be ready!
On a side note, I’d love to see the expression on Dolly’s face upon her first glimpse of the giant birds!
And can we ask what you are planning?
Shall we send you earplugs for the birds?
How lucky you are, with your Peacock neighbors. In my neighborhood, they’d eventually be picked off by Coyotes.
That’s interesting that peacock feathers were blamed for bad luck. Here, in Austria, at the turn of the 19th century they were very popular with upper class people, having them as part of a flower bouquet arrangement…. Perhaps that’s why the monarchy went down?
Planning Officer, John?
See you and your tantalising hints…
I suppose we will find out what’s up in the fulness of time.
The visit to the planning people was to discover what one of our neighbours is up to. The only building work we may be undertaking in the future is the removal of the non-structural wall between the kitchen and the study, to create one big living kitchen — about 30 feet by 12 feet. That will not require official planning permission, though we may seek advice from building regulations.
I suppose I ought to say ‘big (by British standards)’ …