Friday 11 May 2012

Singing in the Rain.. but the Wrong Bus!

And very good Greetings to YOU all.

Yeah.. Joanna and ole J-J are in Moscow visiting their son Stephane.. staying in small hotel which has WiFi and WE got looong email from her this morning..

Now this was such lovely treat to hear from her as during her recuperation she has not posted on her excellent Blog, 'La Vie en Rose' for a very long time, nearly two whole months, but this gives YOU, Dear Reader, plenty of time to read all her Posts so that YOU can be up to speed on the life of Joanna, ole J-J and the boys.. she ends up with seven boys.. eh, jurst think .. EIGHT men in one house with one, very brave, woman.

And without her and Debbie, aka Ellie Goaty person, there would be NO 'Parrot Tales' by GeeGee.. jurst think, what boring life WE would have.. no, let us not think such hideous thoughts.

Joanna had, if YOU are a follower of her Blog and remember, knee operation, she says that although operation was only in February ole norty knee is recuperating well and doing work like knees should.. this allows her to walk up flights of stairs AND down again.. one forgets that coming down on norty knees is the worst.. ouch.

Anyway, they safely made their way through Paris (France) and are now in Moscow, going to St.Petersburg. Perfect time to go, fresh, not too hot, NO Mosquitos.. for lots of water in St.Petersburg, they don't call it 'The Venice of The North' for no reason.

What are YOU doing today? Here, in deepest Knightsbridge, SHE was lolling about.. after years of getting up and going to work at hideous hours, SHE occasionally starts HER days slowly, takes it easy, I stick wing up and confess that I thoroughly approve of this, it means more time is spent in thinking about breaking of MY fast in yumyum HQ, SHE had two eggs on MY bread, fancy that, the cheek of it, but then curried favour with ME by cutting off most of egg white and giving it to ME.. so delicious, I LURVE egg whites..

Title of Post is clue.. to fact that SHE went wrong way, to go to wood merchant YOU turn LEFT at corner, SHE went straight on up to Sloane Street, posted Peg's postcards in Letter Box, turned right onto Sloane Street and caught number 22 to Piccadilly, changed onto number 38 bus, read newspaper (most depressing about state of various Nation's Finances) and got off at Dalston Junction.. HeeHeeeee...

As SHE got off bus, SHE felt small pit-a-patter of rain drops.. walking along major street SHE was mighty glad that SHE had brought BIG umbrella.. as crossed over and passed first fruit stall.. heaven opened and God started washing London, North East London to be precise.

SHE smiled at nice smiley Fruit Stall seller and said "washes fruit for YOU", he laughed and tossed HER a Mango, they are old friends.. for, yes folks, SHE was in The Ridley Road Market..

Looong Street Market full of all things YOU do and things YOU don't want.. wonderful fruit and vegetables. PAKS, this is HUGE shop full of every type of body, face and hair product imaginable.. SHE stocked up on favourite hair shampoo and body oil, PLUS new bottle of Black Seed Oil, marvellous for ole gardening hand which gets bit stiff and swollen sometimes, well.. if SHE will garden without gloves, WHAT can SHE expect?

Also has fabric and wool shop whose name has escaped MY soft tissue in head.. diddly-diddly, SHE LURVES this shop, full to brim and attic with fabrics of every description, SHE worked for many years with major Silk Company, knows a little bit about silks.. here they have mind-glowingly sumptuous laces and brocades.. to dream over.

Also within shop are helpful, nice assistants, but best of all of them is Carmen who taught HER how to knit.. sweet woman, so generous.

SO there SHE was.. jurst like in that old wonderful film.. raining is a'raining like Monsoon rain and SHE's a'trotting up middle of street, skipping over giant puddles, as happy as Master Larry Lamb, smiling and calling "hello" to stall holders that SHE knows, stops to chew fat with Vyonne, lady from Camerouns, who sells most extraordinary handbags. YOU want colourful handbag, YOU go to Vyonne.. SHE has had several from her as presents for friends, pretty things. HER very smart week-end 'carry-on' case with wheels came from Vyonne, perfect size, perfect price.. £25.00!

At top of market is one of HER favourite shops.. yes folks.. drum roll time....

Turkish Food Centre... run by lovely Leila. Purveyor of Almonds, Barberries, Humous, Pink Stuff, White Mulberries, Wild Garlic in Goaty Yoghurt, Pomegranate Syrup, Orange Water, Rose Water.. is YOUR mouth watering? And best selection of dried herbs and spices in London.

Fruit and vegetables beyond description, little Cucumbers (sweet to eat), FIERCE Chillies, un-waxed Lemons and Limes, flat Peaches that resemble little doughnuts, POMEGRANATES! Beans of all varieties, peppers of all colours and degrees of 'hotness'..

Turkish Delight.. don't worry Dear Reader, SHE didn't break old Wicker Trolley.. or bank account.. with all these, SHE took jurst few things vital for OUR and our guest's well-being. Smiled 'hello' at Leila and went back out into rain..

Scampered into Kingsland Shopping Mall for couple of items, then ole Wicker and SHE trundled back to Balls Pond Road to catch number 38 bus. Remembered jurst in time to get off on Piccadilly, changed to number 22 and came home.

Oooh, such treats, Goaty Ricotta Cheese, boxes of Humous and Pink Stuff.. what a delicious sight for small foodie like ME..

And I got to sit on HER lap, WE all ate supper together, such a treat, YOU will be pleased to know I behaved beautifully.. no bits of anything on carpet.. I had had treat earlier when Barbara and Peg came home, SHE made pot of spiced Tea (Twinings) and SHE gave ME a slurp.. much to Barbara's surprise! yes, I LURVE Black Tea.. favourite is Lapsang.

SHE is ready to go out and about, I will partake of doze whilst SHE goes to Library and Bakers.. hopefully I will tell you about the Peter Ting bowl when SHE comes back.. the sight of Design Centre reminded HER of The Tale of Pomegranate Bowl..

GeeGee Parrot.
May 11th, 2012.

Thursday 10 May 2012

Doing The Okey Cokey..

'Put your left arm in, take your left arm out, put your left arm in and shake it all about'.

Listen to ME.. in NO way am I responsible for state of 'Dottiness' in OUR home, SHE is way over twenty-one years of age, loooong way over, poor dear.

I must say that I was starting to feel very sorry for Miss Mimosa and Mister Tommies. I saw HER putting them out in morning and bringing them in at night and thought to self "poor plants, they won't know whether it is Christmas or Easter".. until, on this morning flap flap, I saw.. oooooh, new very healthy looking growth on Miss Mimosa and all Mister Tommies are looking happy and smug, with tiny little flower buds already forming.

So I guess doing 'The Okey Cokey' suits them.. they spend days outside with Orange Trees and Herbs to chat to, they get rain water instead of cold tap water, then jurst before it starts to get cold and dark, SHE brings them into house, Miss Mimosa goes onto saucer behind bathroom door and Mister Tommies go on floor near to hall radiator.. snug and warm places to spend cold nights.. "NO, norty Jack, you are not allowed to bite these little people, go away".

SHE is measuring window ledge outside bedroom, it needs block of wood to make ledge all one height. SHE will put plank on top of block to make even ledge then WE have BIG pots of Leaf Scented Geraniums (Pelargoniums if YOU garden in Latin).. SHE makes sponge cakes with a scented leaf under cake mix.. try it.. very special, lovely friend of Constance, Mary Ireland, used to make HER one for tea when SHE came home at end of school term.. BIG treat..

Now SHE is off to store to buy what is need and will make ledge ready for 'Phoebe's' plants, is awaiting telephone call from lovely Alison to say that they are ready to be collected..

I get to have peaceful doze on perch, think about pleasant 'things'... oodle-the-doodle, I know what SHE hid in meat drawer in fridge.. HeeHeeeee.. MY favourite sausages!

GeeGeeParrot.
May 10th, 2012.

BLACKBERRY READER..

"THANK YOU".

Yes, reading MY Blog stats this morning, I see that there is lone Dear Reader reading MY Blog on their Blackberry.. I thank whoever it is for enjoying MY frivolous scribblings enough to take trouble to read posts on that small screen.

Now must get up and do flapflap into yumyum HQ to make break fasting movements, take Goaty Milk out of fridge, etc, etc.

I bid YOU "Adieu" and hope that YOU enjoy your day. I will write again later..

GeeGee Parrot.
May 10th, 2012.

BEST ASPARAGUS IS HOME GROWN..

Dear Reader. now YOU may think all SHE does is loll about perched on kitchen sink drinking yummy Expresso coffee with frothy hot Goaty milk all day long but not true..

No, indeeedy not, for many years ago SHE worked very hard and made thirteen square foot Asparagus bed, it took great deal of physical effort to clear away grass, stones, weeds and to dig out masses of old Blackberry plant roots, bring in many bags of compost, sea-weed, vermiculite and top soil. Made six ridges on which SHE spread sixty, yes sixty, Asparagus Crowns then covered them with more top soil.

Big bed requires weeding twice a year which is boring, back breaking job, silly Mister Weed thinks he has Special License to grow on this bed.. SHE smiles very sly fox-like smile.. silly Mister Weed, for in Little Shed SHE has fierce Mister Flame Gun.. and SHE has no hesitation in burning off norty Mister Weed's head..

As YOU know SHE picked lot of Asparagus on Tuesday in late afternoon, SHE wrapped it in wet newspaper, put it in bottom of fridge and asked HER guests if they would like to join HER in eating Asparagus for supper on Wednesday evening.

Barbara and Peg had interesting day in our city. They started off at The Victoria and Albert Museum, then disappeared down hole aka Underground and came up at Temple, walked to Fleet Street, found Twinings Tea Company, bought special blend of tea for friend, lunched at The George, very old and famous Tavern and then went across road to Courts of Justice where they sat in on a couple of cases.

Got wet going to The National Portrait Gallery, saw many wonderful pictures and then came home.. tired after full day, there is no doubt, it IS tiring looking at all 'this' stuff..

Ready for an early supper. SHE steamed Asparagus, served it with chopped eggs and home made Mayonaise with finely sliced Spring Onion / Scallion.. how nice to sit down and talk for an hour or so..

I regret to tell YOU I was NOT invited to this supper party.. I was given a small bowl of seeds and shut in the bedroom. I did try to get there.. I did most piteous squeaks for long time but to no avail. I am a messy eater sometimes and SHE drew line at thought of chewed green vegetable plus Mayonnaise and egg on pale wool carpet.. I got MY helping afterwards on top of fridge, I am not proud.. well, I am but not when it comes to subject of yumyum... it tasted jurst the same.. simply SCRUMMYDUMPTIOUS!

And there is much more in bottom of fridge AND Arborio Rice in store cupboard.. yumyum.. Asparagus Risotto.. SHE weighed Asparagus before supper last night, goodness me.. three and a half kilos.. not bad for first picking of season.. thank goodness for lots of rain which has made Asparagus roots very happy.. but not waterlogged, that was why SHE added lots and lots of sand, to create perfect growing conditions for HER favourite vegetable.

"Thank you Barbara", YOU must read previous Posts on MY Blog to find out who she is!

GeeGee Parrot.
May 10th, 2012.

Wednesday 9 May 2012

TREASURE.. did someone say that word?

Treasure, Dear Reader, what does that word make YOU think of? Do YOU envisage a box full of glistening golden coins tucked away under floorboards or stash of gold and silver artefacts buried in field?

Treasure can be sitting in plain sight but not recognised as such.

In papers today, there is picture of a bowl, glorious in its' simplicity.. now recognised as Chinese Porcelain and over three hundred years old, it was sitting at back of china cupboard, forgotten about and probably bit dusty, unused (thank goodness) until owner saw picture and article about very similar item which has been sold at Auction of Oriental Porcelain.. bowl is to be auctioned tomorrow..

SHE has found 'things' in shops.. Charity Shops, Second Hand Shops and Junk Shops.. SHE is not Hugo's daughter for no reason! Treasure does not even have to be very old! SHE is 'aware' sometimes that HER father is around in spirit, Hugo died on Valentine's Day, February 14th, 1981 but has guided his daughter to many a find.

One such find happened about two years ago, SHE had been to Hospital in Fulham Road and was walking home, SHE smelt his cologne, an old fashioned smell, then SHE 'heard' Hugo say "next Charity Shop.. there is Vitrine on right hand side, look at box on centre shelf.. don't quibble on price"..

This has happened several times and 'HE' has always been right, so SHE entered shop, went to right hand wall, looked inside Vitrine. There was box.. sitting on beautiful bed of white satin.. was a collar.. SHE asked sales assistant if he would open Vitrine and allow HER to take out box..

He smiled and said "I have just put that in there, isn't it lovely?".. SHE replied that it was indeed "lovely" and SHE asked him how much it was? He looked underneath box and said "£25.00". SHE does not carry much cash usually, but tucked into HER Oyster Card was exactly this sum which SHE gave to him. He popped box into bag, SHE thanked him and walked home.

Pulsating with excitement.. for even black and tarnished with heat.. SHE could recognise 'Treasure' when SHE saw it.. and besides, even if SHE had not been up on Silver Marks, the box told truth..

For stamped on Scarlet Box was famous name 'Ilias Lalaounis'.. nephew to Zolotas.. two of Greece's finest and most famous Gold and Silver Smiths. SHE has beloved Zolotas ring.

Looong time ago SHE was staying with friends at Llantony Abbey and went into Abergavenny. Whilst walking up,main street, something caught HER eye and retracing HER steps, SHE found herself looking at small, very dusty Bronze in old Antique Shop.

Upon entering shop an old man came out from back, SHE asked him if SHE was allowed to take something out of the window, he said of course and leaning into window display SHE picked up small object. It was as heavy as SHE expected and was bearing a signature that SHE expected.

In 1974, cheque guarantee cards were only good for £50.00, the item was marked £55.00, SHE asked the man if he would accept this, he agreed and took the item to wrap it in newspaper. SHE gave him the cheque, they smiled at each orher, both happy with their transaction and SHE left.

The Fables of La Fontaine are famous, what are not so famous are the Bronzes of the Fables. 'The two Rats with the egg' was cast by one of France's most famous Bronziste in mid 1700's.

SHE has it still.. value beyond £50.00.. it is on loan and display at one of World's most famous Museums.

Treasure.. comes in all forms and sometimes has no price.

GeeGee Parrot.
May 9th, 2012.

Oh.. a life on an ocean's wave..

Oh.. Doodlie-du-du-du...

I have never been on boat or ship of any kind. In fact, if YOU think about it, MY life really has been very sheltered, I have been in many cars but never aircraft of any description or train. Dagga Parrot apparently was very used to flying about in metal tubes with HER and Pilot and THEY often took trains to and from Dorset, where Pilot lived.

Debi-in-Sheffield had dream which she emailed to HER this morning and gave permission for dream to be written about in Post on MY Blog.

Dream is of US on Ocean going BIG CRUISE ship.. US consists of Debi, her most beloved man known only, for high security reasons, by his initials DRS, HER and ME.

Why were WE on board cruise ship? Well, when Debi has sold house in Sheffield, she is not flying back to America but is going by ship.. cruise ship.. plan is that, maybe, for DRS to fly to London and join Debi on cruise back to America.

In dream SHE and I were along for jaunt.. SOME jaunt! Southampton to Boston.. ooooh, pleeeeese can WE do this?

Back to Debi's dream.. It is day four of cruise, in middle of Atlantic Ocean and there is 'knock knock' on Debi's cabin door.. It is HER asking if I was with Debi and DRS. "No, GeeGee is not with us" says Debi.. so hunt started for ME..

They separated and asked countless passengers and members of Ship's crew "Have you seen GeeGee recently?".. everyone shook heads and said "no, they haven't", then DRS stops a Ship's Officer and asked him "Have you seen GeeGee?".. man smiled and said "I know exactly where GeeGee Parrot is, come with me", DRS found others and followed Ship's Officer to .. The Bridge!

And there.. I was.. as large as life and twice as happy.. perched on Ships's Captain cap.

WE find Debi-in-Sheffield's dream bit strange. Why did Debi have such a dream? Has she uncovered one of MY Past Lives, was I Pirate's Parrot and live on a Galleon, did I ever sail The Spanish Main and count Golden Doubloons as MY toys?

I have dreams but I am idle, norty African Grey Parrot and do not work at MY Human Speech lessons - unlike Alex (sadly deceased) and Einstein, two very famous African Greys - I am unable to tell HER MY dreams.. very silly of ME, must try harder.

Rainy day today, quite warm but wet under foot. SHE is in exceedingly good mood!

SHE rootled in kitchen cupboard and found package, contents of which SHE used to descale machine, then went on website and read instructions on how to work frother and steamer on Krups Coffee Machine..

WHOOOOSH went frother and steamer.. jurst like YOU see in proper Expresso Bars.

SHE is typing MY Blog sitting on HER favourite perch, edge of kitchen sink.. I KNOW.. I KNOW, most peculiar place for Human to perch but SHE has everything within reach.. I have GoosieHead to perch on or can play on wooden tri-angular swing, only place I am ever allowed to practise Bad Bat Behaviour.. so life is exceedingly jolly.

Barbara and Peg had wonderful day yesterday, Tony, man who drove them, took them to Avebury, NOT listed on tour, gave them fabulous day out.. SHE has kept his details for orher friends that stay and want to go to the West Country.

SHE has given them two of HER Museum Membership Cards, this allows them into Special Exhibitions which cost about £10.00 for each person. SHE only lends these cards to friends and dear Barbara and Peg more than qualify.. Barbara has been Follower of MY Blog for several months, right from start of MY Blog.


GeeGee Parrot.
May 9th, 2012.

Tuesday 8 May 2012

ENGLISH ASPARAGUS..

YIPPEE.. Foodle-the-doodle and other such exclamations of joy!

Dear Reader. There was LOTS and LOTS of Asparagus. Yeah, thieves had not been a'thieving. Little Shed unmolested, door intact, nothing stolen.. sigh, big relief.

'Sensation' Lilac jurst about to pop out of her buds.. go on-line and search for this variety of Lilac for 'she' is extremely beautiful.. late fruiting Apples blossoming.

The long hedge of Clematis Montana 'Mayleen' in full bloom, walking up path to garden SHE smelt glorious perfume and smiled.. For surely 'Mayleen' never fails, weather can be atrocious but come month of May, this Clematis struts her stuff!

Asparagus cut, wild Rocket, Chicory, Radicchicio, Red Chard, DandyLion, Lovage and Sorrel plus herbs picked, these wild leaves are vital for HER, they help create bile to digest HER food, as YOU get older your digestive juices get weaker or flow not at all, hence Hernias and other digestive problems.

Think about it.. if your food is not broken down properly by digestive enzymes.. what happens? How does it pass through stomach.. the answer is.. not very happily and VERY, very slowly. NOT good for your digestive system, bowels, colon etc... SHE eats Bitter Herbs as soon as they start to grow in garden, in winter SHE goes to HER lovely Herbalist to buy Tincture of Bitter Herbs.

Then SHE went on garden inspection walk.. WE are very sorry for people who have been flooded but rain has been good for OUR garden. All fruit trees look exceedingly happy, they were looking more than trifle dejected and sad after such dry winter with no snow.. snow is good for gardens, acts as slow release of water, the low temperatures kill bugs but WE had maybe only half an inch, if that, so garden was very happy to have wet April.

Roses looking good, SHE had done HER 'Severe Pruning Company's' technique on all bushes and they are in great shape.

Who are also in 'great shape' are HER most beloved Peonies! Ooooh, they look wonderful with each plant showing very good foliage growth and a magnificent amount of big fat buds..

SHE came home via North End Road Market, bought marinated Chicken breasts and Pomegranates. I hope WE have one to break our fast tomorrow morning, oooooh, I LURVE Pomegranate.

Then to Bank to collect new Card Reader, this gadget increases security when Banking On-Line. One more stop at Nepresso Store in Beauchamp Place, SHE has forgotten how to make HER Krupp Coffee machine steam and froth milk..and frothy, hot Goaty milk is favourite way to break fast first thing every morning and kind Leon is going to show HER how to make norty Mister Krupp work tomorrow morning, in meantime SHE uses Nespresso Frother but not as good or powerful as Mister Krupp.

HeeHeeeee, Debi-in-Sheffield has told HER such a silly Tale, it is a dream Debi had on Saturday. Apparently Debi, her much beloved man friend, HER and I were all on a ship going to America..

Now, that was jurst to get YOUR appetite going.. WE have to get all details from Debi before I can tell Tale.. apparently it is all wonderfully silly.. Hello, with combination of those Humans plus ME were YOU under false apprehension that it would be a 'sober' Tale?

I will return to amuse YOU tomorrow.. in meantime, read earlier Posts on MY Blog and do Fandango. Remember.. If you don't use it.. YOU will lose it!

GeeGee Parrot.
May 8th, 2012.

She swam in her lake...

Good morning Dear Readers.. Do YOU think reading MY Blog affects your reasoning?

I ask this is because I have received disturbing news from Dear Reader Rosamund, now back in Germany having spent (our) winter in Australia.

She has fond memories of Jungle Book film, apparently it was one of family's favourites.. now NONE of that is strange but this is.. she has swum in lake at end of her garden and water temperature was 16 degrees! She wrote it was so she could say she had done it.. Heavens-to-Betsy, send that Reader a hot water bottle immediately!

Lotta-in-Hamburg.. Is your mama ok? I think she is same age as HER, I know that I have to monitor weird behaviour constantly.. jurst because body is of pensionable age, does not always apply to that soft tissue inside head.. I think BiBi dearest is same, she told HER tales of watching people and pouncing on them when they throw litter on floor.

Our friends, Barbara and Peg are off on jaunt to Bath, Cotswolds and Stonehenge.. long trip but so far WE have sunshine, hope ole Sun shines for them all day loooong as trips can be dismal if weather not kind but cold and wet.

I gave poor Barbara BIG fright yesterday.. if I want to perch in different place but observe going-ons at home, I sometimes sit on top of bathroom door, nice old door, comfy perch.. anyway, Barbara came into wash hands and I saw opportunity for free ride back up hall way, so I jumped down onto her head.. luckily she does not have a heart complaint! She was exceedingly brave and did not panic but walked quickly up hall and into room where Peg and HER were chewing fat on state of nation. Where SHE swiftly removed ME from Barbara's head.. I must remember.. NOT everybody is as dotty as SHE.

Ooooooh, what a few days in European Politics, eh.

Little 'BIG' man of France with his wife have 'gone'.. She was such a pretty woman but did weird stuff to face, now resembles creature I met at Pet Shop, YOU know breed, they stick food in their cheeks and run in wheel. Anyway, his country voted they wanted someone new. Now he will, forever more, be known as second President of France NOT to be re-elected.

Russia has Mister Putin as President again.. Lots and lots of Dear Readers in Russia, sometimes more than in UK.. SHE went to Russia in 1994. I will tell Tale of HER trip in another Post, suffice to say it was trip of dreams come true.

SHE read in papers last week of Talia-Lee Turton, 16 year old English Gurl who has been accepted as a student with The Bolshoi Ballet, one of only 9 English student to join this 239 year old institution.. WHY is SHE 'happily interested'? It is because Talia-Lee was awarded a five year Scholarship to a residential school by HER friend, Fierce Lawyer, of Studio days.

Where Talia-Lee studied Classical Ballet, amongst other methods of Dance, is called Tring Park School for the Performing Arts.. but loooong ago school was known as Arts Educational Trust, Tring Park. There was also a London School, in 1994, the two schools separated and Tring was renamed.

HOW does SHE know these details and WHY is SHE happy to hear that student from THIS school has been chosen to join The Bolshoi?

Because SHE went to Arts Educational Trust, Tring Park.. this was school SHE left without knowing. No, not telling Tale again, YOU must read previous Post to know story.

But now SHE is MY Mama with places to go and things to do.. off to garden to pick Asparagus, home via off North End Road Market to replenish yumyum supplies. Hopefully WE will be able to Post with good news about Asparagus.

GeeGee Parrot.
May 8th, 2012.

.. ps: WE wrote May 8th and realised that it is Anniversary of Dagga-the-Parrot coming to live with HER in 1988. "Greeting Dearest Dagga Parrot on perch in Heaven".

Monday 7 May 2012

THE BARE NECESSITIES OF LIFE..

Oh yes, indeeeedy, I have more than those.. what are your 'bare necessities, Dear Reader?

Mine are water and yumyum aka food.. now, of course, life would be pretty dull if that was all, so count myself extremely fortunate that I get and have other things. I get lots of attention and LURVE from HER and I am fortunate enough to have two comfy perches and a couple of toys..

Quick question for YOU.. jurst to keep YOU on toes as it were..

Who sang "I've got the bear necessities"?.. To give YOU clue.. he was character in book by Rudyard Kipling.

In 1959, SHE was in bed asleep, woke up when SHE felt something cosy and snug on pillow, opening HER eyes, SHE saw a small black shiny animal with a black nose looking at HER. "Oooh, a little black Bear".. actually it was a Labrador puppy which Constance had given Hugo as his Christmas present.

When Constance brought Human Uncle and HER back from Malaya in December of 1953, Penny, the Cocker Spaniel, had stayed with Hugo, he came back to England in 1956 and gave Penny to HER Godfather, Sydney Butterell, who took her with him to Brunei.

Since leaving Malaya, Bridge Farm at High Halden was first place they felt to be home. Constance thought it time they had dog again.

He grew to be a very large and beautiful dog, adored by everyone.

His name.. ah, do YOU speak Urdu, Dear Reader? His name was Bhalo, it means Bear in Urdu and did YOU see clue I gave YOU earlier in this post? For it was Bhalo, but spelt Baloo in the film, who sang about "the bare necessities of life" in wonderful cartoon film 'The Jungle Book'.. George Saunders was voice of Shere Khan, Tiger tracking Mowgli the boy.. spine chilling stuff!

WE have another new Reader.. they are in Spain! Are they reading MY Blog in English? Or does someone translate it for them? Questions.. Oh, by the way.. listen up!

Charly from Vancouver Island, Canada has written in Comments Box on MY Blog! Yeah.. how about that.. mind YOU, she is a fellow Avian and a Gurl, so is sure to be smart Cookie.. YOU can find her message in earlier post called "I am spreading etc".. please read and respond, she would like that, I am sure.

Barbara and Peg jurst returned, SHE sent them for walk to stretch legs and get fresh air into lungs, they flew to Atlanta and then from Atlanta to London, plane delayed an hour, LONG journey.. they go west tomorrow to Bath and Cotswolds.. busy busy.. playing 'tourist'.

SHE has plans to go garden.. hopefully to pick Asparagus! Hope so, would like to eat that Risotto again, that would be very SCRUMMYDUMPTIOUS with Asparagus.. please give HER a non-rainy day please.

Now it is time for quick flap flap to yumyum HQ, supper time.. Oooh, there is that, now opened, bag of Sweet Chilli Tortilla chips, I wonder what else SHE plans to feed us? I had better go Dear Reader, YOU know it would not be good to be left other side of door at such an important time.

I bid you "Adieu Dear Reader".. until tomorrow.

GeeGee Parrot.
May 7th, 2012.

Hola.. Buenas tardes.

Greetings to YOU, Dear Reader in Spain.

WE are very happy to see that Spanish people will learn how to do 'MY' Fandango.

Barbara and Peg have jurst arrived so I must stop now to say "Hola" to them.. more later.

Adios..

GeeGee Parrot.
May 7th, 2012,

Buon giorno.. Dzien dobry.. Gutenberg morgen.. Labrit.. Selamat pagi.. Good morning.

Yes.. MY Blog goes to distant lands.. today I welcome YOU, Dear Reader, in German, Indonesian, Italian, Latvian, Dutch, Polish and, of course, English to MY Blog. Many more languages are spoken.. but these are quite enough for today!

And what are plans for today? It is a holiday, friends from Cincinnati are due this afternoon. SHE has work to do with vegetable seeds, with ole Jack Frost scattering his icy wares upon garden it is too cold and wet to plant seeds in ground, they start life off at home, this way when frost date has passed they go into raised beds to grow on.

SHE does not bother with 'proper plant pots', but uses plastic cups which are much deeper than little pots, cups are perfect for plants that like long root run, they sit in long plastic troughs with water and sit on window sill, then harden off on ground outside to be ready to be planted out mid June, yes, norty ole Jack Frost stays around until June the ninth.. norty Jack!

Much to do.. SHE had better get on and do it! I will watch.. and report on progress later this evening. Enjoy your day.

And here in deepest Knightsbridge it is a VERY 'good morning' for ole Man Sun has decided to shine his light, yes Dear Readers.. a bright, clear day.. how about that.. with SUNSHINE!

GeeGee Parrot.
May 7th, 2012.

Sunday 6 May 2012

No doze for ME..

Dear Reader.. in MY last post YOU read that SHE was bound for Ridley Road Market and Turkish Food shop and I was settling down on favourite perch, YOU remember that, right? Well.. no sooner than I was all fluffed up with right foot tucked into tumtum feathers, than SHE opened Mister Boiler house's door to take out Mistress SteamIron and board.. huh?

Did I not hear HER say SHE was off to buy Almonds, Humous and Grapes? Well.. I said that plans cannot be written in stone, this proves it.

SHE went to bathroom to take linen out of that kind machine that washes and off SHE went to do ironing. YOU know I am unable to resist this.. read 'The story of Whooosh' to know details..

Yesterday was NO exception, two sets of bed linen to do, lots of Lavender water in Mistress SteamIron and cd into player.. HeeHeeeee, WE are off!! It is a good thing that there is no chance anyone can see our behaviour! SHE laughs like crazy woman and I squeal and whizz about the room at highest flap ratio, landing only to take off and fly in other direction.. or I run backwards and forwards along top of door, tail in air and beak on wood.. knock knock, whose there.. mad Parrot! HeeHeeee.

Only bad thing is there are no Almonds, Humous or Grapes in house.. but neat pile of freshly ironed laundry is very good as Barbara and Peg are due tomorrow afternoon. SHE got a cry of "Help" from Barbara who woke up this morning with a head cold, they have to catch plane at 7.30pm tonight. They live in Cincinnati, Ohio and have quite a journey ahead of them. Poor Barbara.. norty cold.

Linen done, towels done, dusting, furniture polished, floors vacuumed. Bathroom cleaned, same outside, steps swept, all paintwork, windows and floor washed. Then kitchen.. silverware cleaned and polished, kind dishwasher emptied, rubbish taken outside.. I watched all this from top of bedroom door, out of reach of duster, YOU never know.. SHE might polish ME by mistake!

Time to eat.. quick flap takes ME into yumyum HQ and onto GoosieHead. What is there? Oooh, MY favourite Tortilla chips.. Sweet Chilli flavour.. oodle-the-doodle, yes please, some bread and peas, chunk of apple, smidgen of Goat Cheese from Ellie's dairy. Good stuff. YUM.

SHE had cold Duck breast with peas and glass of Beetroot juice, that will put HER in a good mood for sure!

Time for nap.. onto bed with good book and telephone, SHE called couple of friends, read book, turned on black skinny box aka television, changed channel to BBC4 and settled down to be mighty confused by thriller called 'The Bridge', are YOU watching this? Scary stuff, I have to sit on HER head to stop being frightened.. that is MY excuse, truth is, truth should always be told, HER hair keeps MY toes warm.. two episodes back to back.. WE are none the wiser of who is bad guy OR gurl!

End of programme, mini snacket keeps hunger at bay during night, slurp of water, more apple plus half slice of favourite bread, time for quick cuddle, bed for both of us..

Sunday.. no rest for some.. Debbie of Ellie's Goat Dairy at Parson's Green, got to replenish supply of Goaty milk, don't want norty Mister. Woe trotting down steps whilst Barbara and Peg are staying, do WE?

Back to make beds up.. linens all crisp and dry.

Late lunch.. SHE thought I would forget those Tortilla chips.. fat chance! I had to make song and dance and give sample of Bad Bat Behaviour to make HER realise I was serious, I bullied HER into opening up packet and giving ME one.. they are extremely difficult to eat upside down.

Couple of letters to write, telephone calls to make.. lazy day, SHE will be off to garden on Tuesday, to pick Asparagus, that is if thieves have not picked it again.. boring people.

All in all, quiet, pleasant couple of days, tomorrow 'Bank' Holiday, May Day.. SHE had call from Chantal yesterday, they have made plans to meet, see film and have supper week after this, WE will see her photos of Cuba.. many years ago in Spain SHE knew big family of Cubans, lovely people.

Email from LuLu in NYC, poor Ziggee-Figgee not well.. WE send little boy our love and distant healing. Lucky boy, he has loving Human who will get him better.

That is all for today.. I have to nap.. too excited yesterday and SHE was not out for long enough for ME to settle properly this morning.. yawn.. enjoy YOUR May Day wherever YOU are.

GeeGee Parrot.
May 6th, 2012.

Saturday 5 May 2012

No plans can be written in stone..

Brrrrrrrrr.. Oooh, MY ears and feathers, it is colder than a Witches .. nope, cannot say that, SHE looked at ME in severe fashion.. heehee, Brass Monkeys! There, they won't offend anyone, will they? YOU might know the expression, if YOU don't, then there is hope for YOU, YOU would have to have parents as mad as Constance and Hugo to be decidedly dotty as SHE is.

Anyway, where was I.. oh yes, mighty cold out there this morning, WE are so grateful to Mister Boiler, he is keeping home snug and water hot. WE do not take things for granted, when SHE first came to London in 1967. Yes, SHE is that old, have told YOU before that SHE is ancient and has been collecting pension for several years.

Anyway.. back to when SHE came to London, central heating was NOT.. brrrr.. in all places SHE lived. First place SHE lived was right at top of old house, now owned by The Earl Snowden, in those days it was owned by elderly friend of Constance, SHE had big drafty bedroom, tiny bathroom, minute sitting room and use of kitchen in basement.. There was not a radiator in any part of tiny flat, floors were of bare polished wood with a rug beside HER bed and being at top of house, it was mighty chilly..

Next place was a 'flat' above a garage in Cranley Mews.. number 41.. 'frightfully chic now' but not in those days, Cranley Mews was full of working garages with chauffeurs and wives who worked as housekeepers.

SHE stayed with BiBi dearest, very different.. BiBi home had all singing-and-dancing Mister Boiler with hot water and central heating..

And after a couple more places, SHE came to Lennox.. originally only for six months, on way to Australia where SHE had a job waiting with Reg Ansett, he owned an airline.

Question.. do YOU know how to make God laugh? Answer.. Tell HIM your plans..

SHE did, however, they were not same as HIS plans for HER.. thirty four days later SHE was admitted into Royal St.George's Hospital at Hyde Park Corner with Kidney Failure.. in the days before Keyhole Surgery.. but very, very lovely Surgeon Mr. Guy Williams would not have been able to use that method even if it had existed, for stuck, in poor and very sore kidney, was an e-nor-mous stone! And there were several stones which had passed through poor kidney (OUCH) into HER Urinary Tract..

If anyone asked about scar, SHE would laugh and say "I used to work in a circus and one day the magician used the wrong box", it goes from back to front of body.. very BIG scar, now almost invisible, well to HER it is as SHE has had it for thirty seven years.

SHE never did go to Australia, had to call Mr. Ansett and explain situation, was off work for almost a year.. HER life changed.

Gulp.. jurst think Dear Reader, YOU would not be doing Fandango, for would SHE have had an African Grey Parrot, probably not, I would not have had HER as MY Human.. oh, I felt someone rustle MY tail.. what a dreadful thought, no HER in MY life, I would have lived somewhere else, with another family.. does not bear thinking about..

So, after having to think such gruesome thoughts, I am going to have quiet doze and snoooooze on favourite daytime perch. I will write later, SHE has said that SHE is going to Ridley Road Market.. yub-a-dub-doo.. question for YOU, WHO said that, answers into Comments Box please.. come along now.. wake up, I know that everywhere apart from Middle East it is day of rest but scratch brain into gear and think.. who said that phrase?

GeeGee Parrot.
May 5th, 2012.

Friday 4 May 2012

I am spreading.. Blog.. NOT MY waistline!

Dear Readers.. MY Blog is now being read in Poland! How about that.. huh.

I wonder who told them about MY Blog.. are they Polish? Or, are they a Dear Reader who has gone to Poland? I do wish that more of YOU would write in MY Comments Box, that is why it is there, especially for YOU to write comments in it!

Cockatiel Charly and Budgie Henri, who are Gurl birds, live on Vancouver Island with their Human family, WE want them to tell us what living in Western Canada is like.. and Jo's cat lives in Ottawa.. idle cat, not a word from him although his Human is a Follower of MY Blog, so cat has full access to Comments Box.

Mister Yowie Cat has not written recently but WE know why, he is obviously very busy learning new tricks with his new Humans, all Humans are a bit different so new tricks necessary. But WE do know why Little Miss has not written in MY Comments Box, she is too busy figuring out how to open door of cupboard where Debi-in-Sheffield keeps CatNip!

I wonder what there is that is like CatNip but for Parrots? Perhaps best NOT to know as Debi says CatNip makes Little Miss act in MOST peculiar fashion, imitates crazy cat by flinging herself up and down stairs and around house and then passes out and is oblivious to 'Claw', a neighbour's cat coming into house and eating her yumyum.. much more on 'Claw' in another Post.

YES, much best not to behave like that.. SHE says I am mad enough as it is.. especially when I have had SCRUMMYDUMPTIOUS yumyum, blood sugar whoooshes through veins, wind gets under Tail, I whizz about.. I talk non-stop.. yub-a-dub-a-doo.. Hahahaaaah! I can and do drive HER nuts sometimes.. especially if I can time it to coincide with telephone call or HER watching programme on that black skinny box.. Heheheeee.

But WE have not played either of MY most favourite games recently.. they are fun, SHE and I play Catch-the-Grape or Chase-the-Almond.. really must get HER to write note to HERSELF.. go to Market to get lubbly-jubbly Almonds and Grapes.. best, really best ones come from Turkish Food Centre.. HeeHee, wonder if I can get HER to go there tomorrow.. Saturday, oooh, fresh supplies of most delicious Humous AND Pink Stuff..

YOU should read earlier Posts in order to be proper 'Follower' status and be truly wroom vroom up-to-speed on all MY favourite things.

SHE brought Basil, Mimosa and Tommies inside, temperature outside dropping fast, WE are in for really cold snap. SHE put Orange trees into black plastic bags and covered seedlings with double layer of thin plastic to stop them being nipped by sneaky ole Jack, SHE would be very sad if he did something to them, SHE drained saucers so water will not freeze. It is that which would kill HER much beloved trees.

Now what's up? SHE is off to yumyum HQ aka kitchen.. I better go see that what SHE does concerns ME, YOU never know Dear Reader, SHE might try to sneak something out of fridge that I don't see and I cannot have that.. no, indeedy no, for instance, I know that there is new packet of Tortilla chips, HOT Chilli flavoured ones in yumyum HQ PLUS Duck breast.. oh, way to MY heart is direct.. straight through MY tumtum.

It is a Bank Holiday on Monday here in UK, so if YOU live here, I hope YOU will enjoy the three days.. to all other Dear Readers wherever YOU may be, enjoy yourselves. I hope to post over next few days but for now.. Good night.

GeeGee Parrot.
May 4th, 2012.

WATCH OUT.... JACK'S ABOUT!

PIRATE LANGUAGE... Shivver MY timbers.. Mighty cold today..

That very norty man ole Jack Frost was out and about last night in deepest Knightsbridge, the top leaves of HER Basil plant were black and dead when SHE opened front door this morning.

SHE knew he was a'coming but thought it would be on Saturday night as yesterday afternoon was not too cold.. but he skated his sneaky way in ahead of time scattering his icy ice about and poor Basil got nipped. Poor Baby Basil.. How unkind of norty Jack.

Last Frost date at garden is June 9th.. SHE never plants out tender stuff until a couple of days after this date. After success last year of growing Tomatoes at home, SHE is going to do same this year, some on wall in half circular hanging baskets, tiny Tomatoes LURVED this as they were very snug and warm against brick wall and they got sun almost all day long.

The larger indeterminate varieties will go in very deep pots attached to railings.

Also being at home meant SHE had no worries of them being stolen - yes, sneaky thieves steal fruit and vegetables, or problem of watering, much easier to have them jurst outside front door.

So poor little nipped Basil and Tomato plants will come in at night, it would be very sad to lose those tommies, SHE will bring in little Madmoiselle Mimosa as well.

Nothing much is going on.. BiBi dearest has had one of her eyes done, all is well. which is extremely good news, she can see individual bricks in her garden wall.. how thrilling, rather like when SHE puts on HER hearing aids and hears sounds that normal folk hear all the time.. no wonder SHE leaves them off, a city IS a very noisy place!

I have jurst done very BAD thing, I gave Pegeen a munch.. on her first finger, I was full of BAD BAT Behaviour, she and Mary Lou have gone out and SHE has jurst given ME a lecture about MY singularly disgusting and very unfriendly action.. I am afraid it is because SHE and I live by ourselves and I get jealous.. poor Pegeen, I will have to apologise.

Barbara and Peg coming to stay on May 7th.. they are old friends.. will be mighty nice to see them again, to hear their news, since they were last here they have moved into a new, old house.. Barbara is a Follower of MY Blog.. and has been right from start last December.

Debbie of Ellie's Goat Dairy now has had lots and lots of baby Kiddly-Diddlies! SHE will see Debbie on Sunday to top up our Goaty Milk supply, SHE was sad to read that baby Gurl Goaty person has died. As Debbie wrote "it is always distressing when animal dies".. so very true.

Caroline in Exeter has seen The Queen, apparently Her Majesty was at Exeter University earlier this week for part of her Diamond Jubilee celebration.. WE think Queenie is amaaaazingly amazing! She is 86 years old.. yes, eighty six.. and that in itself is staggering, she is fit and has all her wits about her.

House clean and tidy so SHE has time to write MY Blog in middle of day, most unusual, normally SHE is very busy doing whatever it is that YOU humans do.

Mary Lou and Pegeen have just come back, Harrods was too full of tourists! So they brought their lunch home, SHE sent them to look at Food Halls, I hope they saw display on the wall? It is a marvellous exhibition of Sea Food packed onto ice!

I broke MY fast very late this morning, so I am quite happy dozing on GoosieHead in yumyum HQ, SHE is writing this whilst sitting on sink.. I know Dear Reader, strange place to chose to sit but HER feet are on stove and coffee machine is right next to HER together with Milk Whizzer. Fridge is beside HER, I eat MY yumyum on top of fridge, then SHE washes surface off.. very easy to keep this clean with HER beloved Sterilisation fluid..

But I am so sleepy.. also guilty about that evil munch. Must learn NOT to munch nice people.

Best wishes to YOU all whoever YOU may be.

GeeGee Parrot.
May 4th, 2012.