The Great (Guinea) Escape...

I love the idea that this tufted twosome have hatched the great escape and are currently scurrying off into the sunset. Fur-clad versions of Thelma & Louise, who have said ‘so long’ to the hutch and are heading for far greener pastures. Or maybe even back to Guinea! And yes, I do know they don’t actually hail from Guinea, before any members of the British Cavy Council (where genuine G Pig fanciers flock - check it out, it exists!) start bombarding me. However I hadn’t realised that HRH Elizabeth mark 1 had been a proud owner of one...

Anyway, enough of ‘pets of the rich & famous’. I'm sure there are some grief-stricken youngsters who are desperately missing their rotund rodents, but I'm not sure I could bring myself to "capture" the errant cavia porcellus as instructed; partly because I am far too carried away with the notion that they are a latter day Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Pig.

But mostly because I am not exactly warming to the slightly dictatorial tone of this ‘Lost’ poster. Where are the pictures of weeping kids? Photos of the AWOL pair?? The heart-felt pleas for their safe return??? They don’t even bother mentioning how much they miss them!?! I’m starting to suspect that there is more of a touch Kommandant von Luger about the author of this sign. I mean for all I know, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot could have sprung themselves from some animal testing lab, secreted away in the backstreets of Balham. They’re not called guinea pigs for nothing!

Putting all that aside, the cynic in me fears that their owners may want check with the Fox family at number 43...

Boat drinks Bonnie & Cavy Clyde!

The City of Lost Property...and Parrots!

I am constantly fascinated by the array of personal possessions that are strewn across our streets and parks. Almost impossible to walk anywhere in London without seeing enough lost property to comfortably kit out a jumble sale! One day a much worn/loved belonging, the next day just mere debris... Totally understand how a child might lose a glove – hardly high on a pint-sized person’s list of priorities, but a man’s shoe?!? And just how on earth did it get there; the story behind its desertion, that’s what I want to know!!!


Mawkish token of affection which obviously didn’t have the desired effect on the recipient – consider yourself dumped...literally!


When I initially spotted these ‘Lost’ posters for Charlie the Parrot dotted around The Common, the obvious reaction was one of pity, I mean London hardly has the ideal climate for exotic imports from sunnier spots, plus there’s all those manky pigeons to contend with! But on closer inspection Charlie is clearly a character best avoided - "Do not approach"?!? No tangling with this feathered friend. Whereabouts unknown and maybe with good reason!



Boat drinks Charlie the Parrot and Charlie Bucket!